When the beat drops about 25 seconds in, we are immediately taken back to the old-school K.I.D.S. “Blue World” Words by Hunter Dillman // flips from The Four Freshmen, Donnie Darko and Biggie references, chopped and pitched vocals, and having 1/2 of Disclosure tie it all together for us make this one of my new favorite driving songs. “Does it always gotta be so complicated?” After taking another second and really letting the song wash over me again, “Complicated” reminds me that that’s okay. While writing this, I found myself struggling with the fact that nothing I write will live up to Mac’s legacy. The big moral to this song is that there doesn’t need to be a big moral to this song. Mac layers distorted adlibs to illustrate his cluttered mind in the verses, but finds himself singing freely through the chorus and entering an ambitious falsetto by the end of the song. The sound of the track really reflects his attitude beautifully. He’s not ignoring or running from his problems, but he’s not letting them control him either. Mac is living his own life at his own pace. This is a song about letting yourself experience joy in the face of the world’s complications. I’m going to try to avoid that angle since he doesn’t seem to be overtly pondering his own death here the way he has on songs like “Funeral” or “God Speed.” Lines like “Some people say they want to live forever / That’s way too long, I’ll just get through today” sound especially powerful in light of what’s happened. “Complicated” Words by Tyler Blankinship // would be so easy to fall into writing about this song through the lens of Mac passing. Mac knew he was troubled, and this track was the beginning of an album full of self-growth and healing. Showing us how he was lost and felt like his life was moving in circles and there was nothing he could do to get out of them. Talking to us, teaching us, being the big brother that he knew he was to most of us. Mac called out to each and every single one of us with this track. With the relaxed vibraphone melody and brushed cymbals, it’s a song that would normally ease my anxiety however, when you look at the lyrics, it’s a challenge to hold tears back, let alone relax. Just like a circle, I go back to where I’m from.” It’s as if the producer (Jon Brion) knew the emotion that would come with the album, because sonically speaking, the track “Circles” is very soothing. The intro track itself is a continuation from his last verse on “So It Goes” from Swimming where he says, “My god, it go on and on. I knew almost immediately that it would be near impossible to evaluate as being impartial to a posthumous album, especially from him. The raw emotion I had when the news dropped that we were getting Circles was overwhelming. We all knew he had more to offer, but there was a sense of satisfaction in his growth as both an artist and a person. I went through his discography as if it was brand new and after weeks, finally considered it to be complete. “Circles” Words by Hunter Dillman // Mac passed, it had only been a month or so after Swimming had been released. In honor of Mac Miller’s new album, ‘ Circles ,’ Riffs & Rhymes is hosting a special track-by-track review of the record, including words from various members of Album Book Club.ġ. Its only single, “Good News,” became Mac’s highest charting song as a lead artist, peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Circles debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, selling 164,000 units in its first week. The record features musical contributions from Wendy Melvoin, Shea Taylor and Ariana Grande, among others. Intended as a companion piece to 2018’s Swimming, the album’s production was completed by frequent collaborator and legendary songwriter, musician and composer Jon Brion. On January 17, 2020, Mac Miller’s estate released Circles, the first official project put out under Mac’s own name since his death. From his early days as a free and fun-loving party rapper, to his wildly dark and experimental abstract period, to the sensual soul-tinged vibe of his later albums, his journey encompassed a myriad of emotions and sounds that will be embraced for years to come. Adored by both his fans and peers, over his decade-plus long career, Mac had blossomed into one of the rap world’s most likable characters and understated musical heroes. When Mac Miller passed away in September of 2018, hip-hop suffered an immeasurable loss.
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