Mac Miller’s Estate Announces New Posthumous Album “Balloonerism”

Fans of the late Mac Miller were met with exciting news at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles this past weekend. It was revealed that a second posthumous album from the beloved Pittsburgh rapper, titled Balloonerism, is set to be released soon.

The announcement came with a cinematic, two-and-a-half-minute trailer shown between sets by Sampha and The Alchemist. The trailer featured stunning CGI animation and introduced two unreleased tracks: “The Song That Changed Everything,” rumored to feature SZA, and “5 Dollar Pony Rides.” The video ends with a cryptic “Soon,” teasing the upcoming project.

The artwork for Balloonerism is just as intriguing as the music. It features abstract, balloon-themed artwork based on a painting of Mac Miller by artist Alim Smith. The painting was first shared by Smith on Instagram in 2018, just weeks before Mac’s tragic passing. Mac had commented on the post, expressing his admiration: “Need this.” This connection adds an emotional layer to the visual, making the album cover a fitting tribute to the late artist.

Balloonerism was recorded in 2014, during a creative period just before the release of Mac’s fan-favorite mixtape Faces. According to the rapper’s longtime manager, Quentin Cuff, the project is described as “very zany,” with Mac and his engineer Josh Berg creating “otherworldly, weird creations” during their time in the studio. This avant-garde sound is expected to stand apart from his previous works, offering fans a glimpse into Mac’s experimental phase.

The album is being touted as the second posthumous release following Circles, which was released in January 2020. Circles was completed by producer Jon Brion, based on the work Mac had done before his death in 2018. It was intended as a companion to his fifth studio album Swimming.

As of now, the exact release date for Balloonerism has yet to be revealed, but fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival. This new project promises to add another layer to Mac Miller’s legacy, showcasing the artist’s constant evolution and undeniable talent.