Mac Miller's 'Swimming' Review

It seems like when Mac Miller is at rock bottom his projects seem to come out on top. He’s an artist that has made some of his best work when recovering from depression or drug addiction. The Faces mixtape (2014) showed him in the thick of his drug addiction, using his music as therapy, and it’s still one of his best works to date. Good A.M. is like the morning after, as the withdrawals and hangover subside gradually.

Then everything changed when Ariana Grande stole his heart.

The Divine Feminine (2016) was an album Mac Miller claimed, “wasn’t about love,” but about what he’s “learned from women.” This is probably true; I mean, when has Mac been known for lying? But, then again, if you think Grande wasn’t at least partly his muse for that album, you probably believe Mac’s latest venture isn’t about her either.

Swimming is the latest body of work from a talented rapper/producer who has gotten great at reinventing himself. There are no two Mac Miller albums that sound the same. Each body of work symbolizes a new chapter in his life and career. Only, this time, Mac is heartbroken and pandering to the famous break-up cliche: “I just need to work on me.”

“Self-Care”—one out of three of this album’s lead singles—is exactly just that. It’s slightly cliche, but probably the most relatable track on here, not to mention the most straightforward. It’s a track that finds Mac fully devoted to himself and his own mental health. It’s got some of the most replay value on this album.

He treads a fine line between “swimming” and “drowning”—a line that quickly becomes blurry. He’s either in deep denial about being “fine” or treading water softly as he makes it back to shore. It’s an internal conflict that makes this album brilliant at times.

There’s rich instrumentation and production from the likes of J. Cole, DJ Dahi, Flying Lotus, ID Labs, and even Larry Fisherman himself (Mac’s producer alias). It’s funky and upbeat at times, like on “What’s the Use?” but it's also brooding and doubtful like on “Wings.” Elsewhere, he is pondering fame and insisting that he “feels amazing” while sounding heavy-eyed on “Conversation Pt. 1."

This album is a moody cousin to the Divine Feminine, and I commend Mac for continuing to stretch his sound and carry his artistry to unexpected places. But to really engage with it, you have to care about his recent break-up or be willing to sit through the album’s mopey pace. This album is only thirteen tracks and yet it feels longer than it really is.

Mac isn’t this generation’s cupid or frontman for unrequited love like Drake is, but he holds his own here. Swimming would feel more universal if listeners didn’t already have an idea about who he was talking about. He insists he’s fine—too bad there’s not much conviction behind it.

Essential Tracks

• "Self Care"
• "Jet Fuel"
• "Ladders"
• "Conversation Pt. 1"
• "Hurt Feelings"
• "2009"

The Verdict

All things considered, this isn’t a terrible album. It’s just not Mac’s best work thus far. Still, it’s commendable for its honesty and search for recreation. Mac Miller has a great ear for beats as usual; I only wish that his heart would beat faster. Mac’s sunken-place raps sound better when he’s crying out for help like on Faces, not moping over a pop star.

This album can be lackadaisical and unnerving at times. It’ll stand the test of time, but hopefully it’s not long before Mac drops another album. Swimming gets a B-.

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