Swimming is the seventh full-length project from Mac Miller. In between the release of The Divine Feminine and mid-2018, Mac Miller has been quiet. In May, things were about to change. Mac Miller and Ariana Grande's relationship had come to an end and soon after, Mac was charged with a DUI. Soon after their breakup, Ariana had announced her engagement with Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. She is slated to release her new album 2 weeks later. As for Mac, he had released 3 singles in late May: Programs, Buttons, and Small Worlds (the only single of the three to make the album). There was barely any hype or discussion around them because he happened to release them at the same time as Pusha T's "The Story of Addidon." The other two singles indicated that Mac would go in a more emotional direction.
I consider The Divine Feminine to be Mac Miller's worst project since Blue Slide Park because while it was an interesting project and something different, it could have been executed much better. One of its biggest downfalls was Mac's singing, which has improved greatly on Swimming. The production throughout fits the mood of the lyrics very well. I thought that this album contained some of Mac's best lyrics and storytelling and he conveys his emotions very well. I liked how it was more personal and reflective in comparison to his other releases.
However, having so many emotionally driven tracks could prevent replay value in the long run. Albums that are this personal are meant for very rare and specific occasions. When you're out with friends, no one is going to say, "Dude, let's bump Swimming." It has a chill vibe, sure, but putting on songs like "Hurt Feelings" or "2009" when you're out having a good time is going to kill that vibe. They're probably going for something more along the lines of Watching Movies With the Sound Off or KIDS. I also thought the hooks throughout this album were pretty hit or miss. Most of the melodic hooks are sung in the same style and some hooks go on for longer than need be.
I personally thought that having no features was actually a pretty good choice. This is an album where Mac gets personal and reflects on himself and having features wouldn't make sense in this case. Also, Mac didn't make this album because of his breakup with Ariana Grande. He was in the process of making Swimming long before that. Sure, songs like "Self Care" and "Dunno" were made following it and address the situation, but the breakup had little influence on it. In my opinion, what Ariana Grande did to Mac Miller was very shitty and fans who responded with excitement because they anticipated a sequel to Faces are just as shitty.
To sum things up, this was a very solid album. The mood stayed consistent without feeling redundant and you could really feel Mac's emotions throughout. I don't think this is his best album by any means but it was definitely a step above The Divine Feminine and is very close to releases like Watching Movies With the Sound Off and GO:OD AM.
Singles
What's the Use? [Very nice and groovy track]
Self Care [My personal favorite on the tracklist for the hook, production, and beat switch]
Small Worlds [My least favorite of the singles. It's better in the context of the album but Mac's singing sounds horrible here.]
Best Tracks
Hurt Feelings
Self Care
Wings
Conversation Part 1
2009
Worst Tracks
Small Worlds
Jet Fuel
Score: 7/10
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