Posthumous release of Mac Miller film and album

Mac Miller’s estate releases Balloonerism, an album that was recorded by the rapper before he passed away. The album, which features new SZA music, inspired a film that was screened two days before the album release on Friday.

Fans knew that something was coming, seven years after Miller died of an accidental overdose in September of 2018.

Balloonerism was announced with a cryptic trailer at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival last fall. The jazz-infused single 5 Dollar Pony Rides, produced by drummer Ronald Bruner, and bassist Thundercat, was released just last week. It was logical to expect a music video to go along with the song.

Surprisingly, the album inspired Balloonerism – A Film Based On The Album By Mac Miller, a 24-minute short film that explores the world showcased in the album’s trailer. The film is a much longer companion to the album and agreeably, much longer than the average three-minute music video. 

The song DJ’s Chord Organ that we hear in the trailer features vocals from hip hop, soul, R and B artist SZA. Miller’s voice sounds eerie calling out the key changes for the organ toward the beginning of the song. Leaving his voice in seems like a deliberate decision, which lends an air of authenticity to the music.

Balloonerism was recorded by Miller in 2013-14 and is the second album released after the musician’s death. Circles, completed after his death, was released on January 17, 2020. Balloonerism was released five years later on the same date.

The Balloonerism Film

Balloonerism is a visually stunning fantasy animation short film directed by Samuel Jerome Mason. In a Pied Piper meets Stand by Me plot, a group of school friends are transformed by the music of a chord organ. The music draws them into a shadowy Alice in Wonderland-like world of giant rabbits and mice, explosions and sky-high rollercoasters.

Every inch of the screen is packed with colour, like a comic book come to life with Sonic the Hedgehog style animation and characters being pursued through time, backed by a mix of super chill strings and percussions, haunting vocals and heavy triphop beats.

The film screened at a special event on Wednesday evening to celebrate Miller’s work, particularly the album Balloonerism.

Trailer of Balloonerism: A Film Based On The Album By Mac Miller

Proceeds from the film help the Mac Miller Fund provide resources to young musicians.

by Cherryl Bird – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
@ladycbird | Instagram @cherrylbird


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