Mac Miller
Good News
Warner
When Mac Miller tragically passed at his peak in September 2018, his latest album Swimming had only been out for a month. This left the world with what was expected to be the last fresh music from the talented young artist, until his estate recently announced a posthumous album, Circles, set to be released on January 17, with the new single Good News released as a teaser track.
Good News sees Miller lean into his singing voice with the effortless, but never careless, rap Miller was so well known for. The eerie feeling of nostalgia and knowing makes this silky number that much more poignant a release, particularly lyrically with lines including, “There’s a whole lot more for me waitin’ on the other side.” It’s an obvious peak into his life and mind with almost confessional lyrical content throughout.
Instrumentally, the melody is a sonic journey through the track which compliments the vocals at each turn of the almost six-minute long song. It’s smoother than honey, and somewhat sweeter too, creating the feeling of a blanketed bliss or an emerging light in what was a darkness representative of the turbulent time in Miller’s life. With weary production riffs and a muted enthusiasm, the backing and vocals fit together in the best of ways.
The production of the groovy backing bears some resemblance to Swimming and reminds the listener these albums were to work together in creating a single concept: Swimming in Circles. The track is a progression without a doubt, but as posthumous releases tend to go, we can’t help but wonder if this is how the track would have been finalised if Mac Miller were around to continue processing the upcoming record in which it sits. Either way, it is a soothing track that offers some insight into the troubled rapper’s life before his passing and stands as a window of solace for his dedicated fans.
AMBER LILLEY
