In 2011, Mac Miller hit rock bottom. His debut album Blue Slide Park had just been released and unlike the success of his 2010 mixtape K.I.D.S., his first official project was unanimously panned by critics. That also meant receiving a one out of 10 rating from Pitchfork. Years later, Miller is respected by a handful of Hip Hop’s OGs like Nas and De La Soul, lauded for his experimental production under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman and has overcome a battle with addiction.
After relocating from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles, then again from L.A. to New York City, Miller has undergone a career transformation, reshaping his sound and taking music more seriously. Last year at just 22-years-old, Miller, one of the most successful independent rappers of all-time, was rewarded for his hard work when he signed a rumored $10 million deal with Warner Brothers, a move many thought may inhibit his creativity. Instead, the release of his third studio album GO:OD AM showcases maturity beyond Miller’s years, the result of which is a cohesive project that is as cohesive as it is profound.
“You know it’s been a minute since I’ve been away / Didn’t mean to cause you pain, I just needed to escape / They saying that I’m sober, I’m just in a better place / I’m on my way over, I’m just running kind of late,” rhymes Mac Miller on the album’s opening verse. The Tyler, the Creator-produced beat for “Doors” sets the tone for Miller to openly discuss his battles with depression, addiction and fame. His lyrics surrounded by wavy electronic ambiance and string instruments played pizzicato instead of Hip Hop’s staples of snare drum and bass. Miller even takes the opportunity to sing on the track – a tactic he employs again on later tracks “ROS” and “Ascension.” That’s very much like what he did on “Objects In The Mirror” off of his previous album Watching Movies With The Sound Off.
The growth of Miller has been a hot topic over the past few years as the Pittsburgh emcee grew up in the spotlight while offering up a mix of both party friendly and introspective records along the way. GO:OD AM is mostly filled with the latter, presenting listeners with 17 tracks that range from cocky cuts like “100 Grandkids” and “Break The Law” – which samples both P. Diddy, Black Rob and Mark Curry’s “Bad Boy For Life” and Norman Connors’ “Last Tango in Paris” – to “Clubhouse,” and “Brand New,” which stay closer to Hip Hop’s roots. It’s this same versatility that has helped both Hip Hop veterans and fans alike come to appreciate Miller.
“I give a fuck, less and less every day / The more you give a fuck I guess the less you make (money!)” spits Miller on “Rush Hour,” which blends his boisterous side and a smooth beat to create something fitting of both loud car speakers and close listenings. Even the lyrics seem contradictory, as if Miller is still trapped between his past and present, with the chorus stating that “I’m just trying to grow up old and rich, maybe get married to a local bitch / I be, I be, I be, I be over shit, the world don’t give a fuck about your loneliness” as a series of record scratches and electronic pings similar to those used in Outkast’s “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” move the track along.
While Miller’s music continues to move forward, tracks like “Time Flies,” also prove that the talented emcee and beat maker isn’t afraid of his past. The song not only features overlaid trumpet and a neck-snapping bass and hand clap combination, but also has the trippy feeling of songs from Miller’s past two mixtapes, Faces and Macadelic. The beat is too slow to cover up any impure lyrics, putting the focus on the reinvigorated Miller, who shines through before Lil B. cuts him off with his philosophical musings.
Even with far fewer party tracks than his previous albums, one of GO:OD AM’s “Weekend” tracks manages to stand out. The title may conjure up images of kegs and red cups, but “Weekend” is far from Miller’s signature turn up track “Donald Trump.” With a laid back beat fitting of the slower tempo found throughout GO:OD AM, Miller opens up about his private life with lines like, “I been having trouble sleeping, battling these demons / Wondering what’s the thing that keeps me breathing, is it money, fame or neither?” lyrics that are in stark juxtaposition to the song’s chorus, including “But I be good by the weekend” and “We going out tonight.”
Partying may still be on Miller’s mind, but the album’s few weak links – “In The Bag” and “When In Rome,” – feel out of place and more aligned with his rowdy past than his current state. It’s almost as if they’re momentary relapses serving as breaks from the darker tendencies of the album.
If Miller’s sophomore album was a stepping stone that allowed him to climb above his partying past, GO:OD AM serves as a wakeup call for those that think his music is still best suited for frat parties. With a bright future ahead of him, Miller has positioned himself for career longevity, so long as he can keep his demons behind him.
God awful review, could you try talking about something other than the frat rap style Mac hasn’t had for over 2 yrs?
he barely touched on it this review is fine stop being a bitch
I really like Watching Movies and Faces, but gotta be honest, I’m not lovin this album right here.
In the Bag is almost coupled with Break the Law and is actually referenced later in Perfect Circle when he says “thought we’d have it ‘in the bag’ by now.” I think the song has more meaning than you give it credit for, that he thought he had everything figured out, he had money, he had good music, life was awesome, “don’t you wish your life was motherfucking awesome, don’t you wish you had all the pussy too much money you could spend so you could get away and never see your shitty life again” …just bragging about his seemingly great life at the time, and then in perfect circle he realized even though he thought he had everything he really didn’t know what was important. You would think you, as a reviewer, would catch that but I guess it slipped by. Personally I think thats an awesome track, and I also enjoy When In Rome, but to each his own.
Good review man but I also love When In Rome and In The Bag, its a Banger. If an album doesn’t have a Banger then its missing something critical in my book. I Love Faces and Wmwtso. I consider myself a well rounded music listener. Try turning the volume up in ur car lol.
Maybe BSP was panned by critics but it also hit number 1 on billboard… not exactly “rock bottom”. And ya his style has been evolving over the past 3+ years so this isn’t some gear shift revelation.
It hit #1 because he only released it after he had 300K preorders…which took him 2 years to reach
This album succeeds in my book. Mac’s bringing a lot to the table, not only showing that he’s more than a rapper, he’s also a pretty good guy. He seems a bit more somber in this album, compared to stuff like “Watching Movies with the Sound Off”, but he seems like this is better half. This is, in my opinion, a very good album. This will definitely be a staple in my music library.
This album is at the most, a 4.5/5.0 in my opinion.
This shit is for the burbs foh
Not everything has to be some gangster music, open your mind a bit
This album is a great piece coming off of Mac’s last project, Faces, from about a summer ago. Just my opinion. He’s only getting better guys. Let him keep doing him.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Amazing production. It fades a little on the back end but other than that it’s a good project. A really good one at that.
Better after a couple listens.
this shit fuckin sucks.
9/10
This was a really great album with great wordplay and production.
dope
DOPE AS FUCK
I’m happy that Mac Miller is finally back and I couldn’t be happier with this album. I think its a perfect mix of his last two albums. Good Job Mac
This is my favorite record of 2015. Mac is GOD!
Not the same cookie cutter beats. Good lyrics. Very nice hip hop album.
His old albums were “unlistenable”. This one is 4,75/5,00. Good work.
9/10
Best Album by him yet
the kills and perspective of a rich j3w. Between him and Drake the industry has literally become Hollywood as opposed to art.
When in Rome and In the Bag are two of the best songs on the album. Banger tracks with nice hooks and punch-lines for days. Cmon man, if you don’t understand that, then you don’t understand hip hop and your credibility is 0. “Self made, dream came true, imma miracle, every time I put my dick inside a bitch it’s spiritual.”…….”when in, when in, when in rome, I was 19 with the homies goin round the globe, 75k now to book me for a show mo fuckers cant see me when they standin on their toes”………………….Try turning it up
This is probably the best album of the year (besides maybe iyrtitl).
Good
love it
one of the better albums of 2015,finally someone who has released original work. i’m sick of these cookie cutters artist like fetty wab young thug rich homie quan and a long list of others. if yall think any of the people i just named albums were any good, you dont know hip hop so be quiet. Best songs on the album to me are rush hour, in the bag, the weekend, and the festival.And for those who say this album is trash, open up your closed mind and listen. Don’t be a racist.
Awesome
It’s okay.
Mac has come a long way…2 years ago I thought this was a money grab artist and his style was a little too immature for me but he’s developed and he’s apparently attempting to pay dues. This is NOT by any measure a 4 star album…closer to a 2.5 or a 3 but there’s definite progress. There just wasn’t a real gem to pull out of the bag for me…some solid joints to throw into a rotation but nothing spectacular. Introspective album from a new school emcee still pushing for real acceptance. 2.8/5
Mac Miller really found himself in this album, you can tell this is his quality work this is no longer the “Hit party songs Mac Miller” this work by Mac deserved to be high charted a very good album. Mac Miller really stepped out with this album he creates alot of work constantly but this is out of the square for him. KEEP IT UP MAC!