- Mac Miller Swimming Album Cover Meaning
- Mac Miller Swimming Album Review
- Mac Miller Swimming Album Reviews
DOWNLOAD Mac Miller Swimming ALBUM ZIP DOWNLOAD SwimmingALBUM ∙ HIP-HOP/RAP ∙ 2018Mac MillerThe Pittsburgh MC sings his way past his troubles.
Mac Miller’s 2018 album Swimming portrayed a deep and personal struggle with recovering from heartbreak, depression and substance abuse. The introspective and cathartic release depicted hope, recovery and moving forwards as major goals in the late rapper’s personal and professional life, as he chooses “swimming through stressful waters to relief” rather than stay where he is and ultimately drowning.
- Mac Miller's Grammy-nominated Swimming might one day define the legend. Get the album, featuring tracks 'Small Worlds' and 'Self Care,' from the official store.
- Swimming is Mac Miller’s fifth studio album and the follow-up to his 2016 LP, The Divine Feminine. It is also the last album released during his lifetime, as Mac passed away on September 7, 2018.
Mac Miller Swimming Album Cover Meaning
The final track on Swimming reflects on these themes, with Mac seeming to reach an understanding that not everything in the world is within his control. Referencing the phrase ‘So It Goes’ from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse-Five in both title and lyrics, showing Mac’s new understanding that life, and eventually death, are out of our hands. This track also states the cycle of recovery and relapsing that many who suffer from depression and substance abuse often fall into, “My god, it go on and on / Just like a circle, I go back to where I’m from”, whilst also setting up the newly released companion album, Circles.
Circles, Mac’s first posthumous album, continues the story of Swimming. Introspection and recovery are key themes on this album as well, and in this sense it does truly act as a perfect companion piece to the previous album. However, while the production and lyrical content of Swimming portrayed a dark period of life with a possibility for hope around the corner, this album is full of bright spots. The production and lyrical content is noticeably brighter in tone this time around. On tracks such as ‘Blue World’, Mac speaks on saying no to his demons and not letting them win, with lines such as “reality’s so hard to find / When the devil tryna call your line, but shit, I always shine” and “we don’t gotta let him in”, all over a light, fun synth beat co-produced by Guy Lawrence (one half of Australian electronic group Disclosure).
Elsewhere on the album, Mac talks about his headspace and the ways he aimed to correct himself as well as the coping methods he employed. It is discussed that being creative in studio, getting away from the city and connecting with people were major mechanisms for recovery that he was employing. Circles, however isn’t all positive stories of recovery. Throughout recovery, pitfalls and failings are bound to happen, and Mac does not shy away from his failings on Circles. He recognises his failings and the way he often gave into his battle with substance abuse and mental illness that has been a major focus of his music since it first appeared as a theme on his 2013 project Watching Movies With the Sound Off. Tracks such as ‘That’s on Me’, ‘Complicated’ and ‘Good News’ refer to how recovery is not always a smooth road, and despite seeming to have recovered you can still be struggling.
Mac Miller Swimming Album Review
Overall, Circles appears to portray Mac Miller’s battle with depression as nearing its end. He has recognised what he can and can’t control, has identified root causes and is appearing to seek help and gain control over his substance abuse. The brightness in sound, message and tone plays a large part in making this album an incredibly difficult listen. Circles is relaxed, with a few tracks including beats and guitar which were, according to collaborator Jon Brion, inspired by a Hawaii vacation. Sonically and lyrically, it sounds like Mac was happy and well on the road to recovery. As we all know, however, Mac Miller tragically passed away in September 2018 from an accidental overdose, and that is where the darkness, but possibly the most important message from Circles, can be found. Even those who seem bright, bubbly and okay can be struggling. Those who had recovered from their mental illness and substance abuse may relapse. The importance of slowing down and having real connections with those around you is a common theme on Circles. Mac is urging us to think about each other as much as we do ourselves. To look out for each other. To make sure those we care are improving and bettering themselves and aren’t just swimming in circles.
Mac Miller Swimming Album Reviews
If you or anyone you know may be struggling with mental health issues crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636