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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Like its predecessor, ‘Swimming’, the album is drenched in languorous grooves and buzzy synths – only here, Miller sounds more at peace with himself.
90
On Circles, Mac Miller found his heaven, and it looked a lot like everyday life with the simple things.
90
Circles is an occasionally tragic but as a whole comforting farewell to one of the most unique artists in rap history.
90
However difficult it might be to ingest his candour, there is also a maturity about Miller in which to take solace. There's a sense of growth and lessons learned.
80
The late rapper, who died in 2018, is subject to a moving tribute that underlines the stunning progress he achieved in his short career.
80
While the songs are among some of the best he has crafted, Circles fits in perfectly to Miller’s oeuvre and will possibly give some of his most ardent fans a chance to say goodbye.
80
Circles may be a culmination of the sounds Miller had been working towards, but it’s also his most intimate and vulnerable project, filled with a collection of sounds that range from synth-heavy bedroom pop like the track “Woods” to the Plastic Ono Band-inspired “Everybody.”
80
Circles is the finest musical send-off any Mac Miller fan could have asked for.
80
If Swimming felt contemplative, Circles feels even more like a singer-songwriter album than a hip-hop joint – a tendency most likely amplified by Brion’s treatments.
80
Circles continues Miller’s searching musical journey, adding elements of soft rock, pop and more to emo-rap: the result is beguiling and natural.
80
The music on Circles is the sound of Miller plunging into change. Not quite a straightforward hip-hop record but not quite an R&B album, it is a mix of his own interests and what they could’ve morphed into.
80
Despite the sadness that clearly surrounds this project there is plenty of positivity: the production of the album is impeccable, and the overwhelming message that shines through is of hope for the future
80
Circles showed his music was reaching new heights.
80
It’s a sad sound that’s still worth hearing.
6mo
74
The first posthumous album from Mac Miller plays like a companion piece to Swimming. It’s an optimistic epilogue to the life of an aspirational artist.
70
If Miller hadn't passed, Circles would be an insightful, focused addition to his strong late-era catalog, shining a necessary light on emotional and mental health struggles and sobriety through his deeply reflective lyrics and the wonderfully enjoyable and warm production work by Brion. Instead, it's yet another reminder of lost potential and a life cut tragically short.
70
For Miller, Circles exists as a form of therapy; as he seeks to break out of old patterns of thinking, these steady reminders to embrace the present and let go of everything else to form a new pattern: a means of resilience, and maybe even a path to liberation.
Take notes, XXXTENTACION's label. This is how you actually respect a late artist's legacy, although I don't think that's your goal anyway. But onto the album itself.
As the follow up album to Swimming, Mac steers more in a soul direction with elements of soft rock, while still keeping his signature style and aesthetic, and in the process even delivers some of his best songs to date. I'd say this is even better than Swimming as it's more engaging throughout and the new sound palette just makes ... read more
“Circles” follows the same funky, soulful sound seen on “Swimming”, but adds another level of instrumentation that breaks the mold and never disappoints. Mac’s subdued delivery and poignant, disheartening lyricism aren’t just sad. They are completely heartbreaking and carry this album to its final goal: a spectacular send off to a spectacular artist’s discography. Thank you Mac❤️
Color: Blue
FAV TRACKS: all of them!
LEAST FAV: n/a
Perfect closure.
Over the last decade, posthumous releases have tended to be absolute disasters. In many cases, the labels have simply put together a bunch of unfinished songs, added a ratty production, released them to the public without much concern for artistic legacy and made a lot of money (eh, Cleo and Empire?). I'm honestly relieved that "Circles" doesn't belong in this category. Mac worked hard on this record until his death, and finally the task of completing its production ... read more
Contributions By
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Track List
| 1 | Circles 2:50 | 91 |
| 2 | Complicated 3:52 | 88 |
| 3 | Blue World 3:29 | 93 |
| 4 | Good News 5:42 | 98 |
| 5 | I Can See 3:40 | 86 |
| 6 | Everybody 4:16 | 89 |
| 7 | Woods 4:46 | 91 |
| 8 | Hand Me Downs 4:58 | 91 |
| 9 | That's on Me 3:37 | 88 |
| 10 | Hands 3:19 | 80 |
| 11 | Surf 5:30 | 88 |
| 12 | Once a Day 2:40 | 88 |
Total Length: 48 minutes
Year End Lists
| #6 | / | KCRW |
| #6 | / | Uproxx |
| #6 | / | Vulture |
| #8 | / | Complex |
| #9 | / | Gigwise |
| #11 | / | The Young Folks |
| #12 | / | The Independent |
| #14 | / | Gaffa (Denmark) |
| #14 | / | The Needle Drop |
| #16 | / | Billboard |
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Added on: January 8, 2020