The Healing Power Of Mac Miller's Circles: A Track-By-Track Guide
Circles,
Mac Miller's sixth studio album and first posthumous release, is the other required half to 2018's
Swimming. Conceptually, Miller viewed both with each other as
Swimming in Circles, as his family member
revealed recently, and he was well into recording it
when he died in September 2018. As such, he left the world with
Swimming as his final graceful exploration of the slow, almost painful method of healing.
Circles, out today (January 17), carries that pain and looks from the water to the cloudy skies. There's something to smile about, and though it may not be here nevertheless, it's just over the horizon. Rap takes a backseat here to more melodic explorations; through producer
Jon Brion's meticulous work, these dozen tracks find Miller mumbling, singing, chanting, and whispering to himself like there's no audience, as if he's singing into the reflect for the ultimate pep talk. As he sifts through his psyche to process a past relationship, he delivers some of his most intense, emotional, and gripping lyrics, often stripping back metaphors, similes, and punchlines to bring puffy-eyed catharsis.
Circles finds Miller taking responsibility for past choices and hints at having a higher end state of mind. This new sense of peace is best illustrated on "Surf," where he declares, "I'm beginning to be able to see that all I have to do is get up and go," a strong statement that lets you know that, in end, all of the mind needs is time.
Listen to
Circles, and below, find a track-by-track guide that highlights how each song shows the album's hard-fought trek from a dangerous sea to the safety of the shore.
"Circles"
Key lyrics: "Well this is what it looks like right before you fall / Stumbling around, you been guessing your direction, except you can't visualize at all"
How it resonates: The title track sets the mood and tone, continuing the drowning feeling from Swimming. Slow and lumbering, Mac tries to identify where to go any time he's kicking his feet in the water in the middle of nowhere. This line starts the album in the now; Miller keeps returning to the startling line.
"Complicated"
Key lyrics: "Before I begin to think about the future / First can I please get through today?"
How it resonates: The stinging synths of singe your inner ears as Miller, cozying up to an easy-grooving set of drums, questions why things just can't be simple for a moment: "Does it routinely gotta / Gotta be so complicated?"
"Blue World"
Key lyrics: "Reality is so hard to find / Any time the Devil's attempting to call your line / Shit, I routinely shine"
How it resonates: Miller’s funkiest and eeriest Circles tune sounds like Dr. Manhattan and eight clones yelling into an echoing cave. With a slightly uptempo, although endlessly energetic backdrop built around ethereal voices, Miller wags his finger at temptation and shouts out his resilience. It's a high spot that brings some positivity.
"Good News"
Key lyrics: "I spent the entire day in my head / Do a little bit spring cleaning"
How it resonates: This one sounds like Miller's whispering with a hat over his face on a beach. He's referenced being indoor of his head before on Swimming's "Come Back to Earth, with "I just require a way out of my head / I'll do anything for a way out." This time, he's content with staying, so he's going to tidy up while he's there.
"I Can See"
Key lyrics: "I need somebody to save me before I drive myself crazy"
How it resonates: "I Can Visualize is a vast, cosmic, mirage-like song about rising, falling, and figuring out what's real and fake. Miller contemplates calling for help as he comes to the realization that life is really "just a dream."
"Everybody"
Key lyrics: some days the going gets so good / Although then again, it gets pretty rough"
How it resonates: Smooth and easygoing, this cover of Arthur Lee's 1972 soulful "
Everybody's Gotta Live" soundtracks Miller's trustworthy look at the facts of life (and finds him playing bass). The instrumental — grounded in snares and open-ended ride cymbals — builds with piano keys plus a double-layering of his voice as he cycles over the fact that we all rise, fall, and look to have a good time.
"Woods"
Key lyrics: "Heartbreak will you leave you bankrupt / Also several days in a day, better wake up"
How it resonates: The glowing keyboards synthesize a magical nighttime forest where Miller holds a butterfly and raps about a previous romantic relationship. He spent a lot of time putting it with each other and realizes that despite the effort, it takes even more energy to put it back with each other. You could lose all your cash attempting to repair a damaged heart.
"Hand Me Downs"
Key lyrics: "Well just being straightforward, my conscious ain't doing bad / Because I attempted to minus the problems that I attract"
How it resonates: Featuring Australian rapper Baro, "Hand Me Downs" is Miller's most open look at coping. He explains that he's been doing better since he's realized the grander scope of his life. It's more open and bare on the instrumental end, enabling Miller to lead with a pensive and mindful note to someone special, thanking them for their love.
"That's on Me"
Key lyrics: "And I don't know where I have been lately although I been alright / I mentioned good morning this morning and I'll mention goodnight"
How it resonates: The cute pianos and synths play up the melancholy nature of Miller's message that a relationship is over, and it's OK. He takes full responsibility on the chorus ("That's on me, that's on me, I know") and later promises to cut the strings. And speaking of strings, Miller plays guitar on this track.
"Hands"
Key lyrics: "There's no need to be so down / I'd rather fly around like it's no ground"
How it resonates: With his chin to the sky, Miller is realizing that he's going to be just fine. He wants to create ensure that listeners know that they, also, can defeat what they're going through. Any time once he asks, "Why don't you wake up from your bad dreams?," It's like a telephone call to action.
"Surf"
Key lyrics: some days I get lonely, not any time I'm alone / Nevertheless it's more any time I'm standing in audiences that I feel lost on my own"
How it resonates: "Surf" is the product of a wounded man plus a guitar that eventually evolves into a diary entry with just several backing drums. Miller wanders on, through a startling synth, singing about simply not knowing. "Before it's all over, I promise we'll figure it out," he coos.
"Once a Day"
Key lyrics: "Don't keep it all in your head / The only place that you know nobody ever can see"
How it resonates: Miller’s soft closing song — one of three songs he has sole writing credit on (along with "Circles" and "That's on Me") is a powerful exit. He lets the listener know, over a smooth, echoing flurry of notes, not to prepare the same mistake that he has: not to stay indoor your head, because you'll get lost in the disaster. Mac might've envisioned himself swimming in circles, nevertheless "Once Day" adds a compelling and heartfelt ending — a final grace note of optimism.
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