Counted amongst today’s celebrities, Mac Miller still remains fairly underrated as far as hip-hop standards go. But, if you actually sit down and LISTEN to his latest LP, Watching Movies With The Sound Off, you can start to see artist that we all once thought he would be. Since 2011, Mac Miller has been the poster child for independent hip-hop, earning him over $5 million dollars in 3 years and respect from his peers all over the music industry, not to mention turning down deals with major labels that have exceeded $15 million dollars. Despite having the respect of his peers, Mac Miller has had to fight for relevance for almost 5 years now, and STILL has to fight for it on a daily basis. Whether it being the race card, or whatever opposition that you may have, Mac Miller is never in your “Top 10.” Whether you like it or not, Mac Miller’s numbers back his position, and he’s only inching closer towards being one of the greatest artists’ of all time (2nd greatest white influence in rap since Eminem IMO). From creating a sandwich before downloading a mixtape, to his alter egos being spread across the internet, Mac Miller’s independence has allowed him to stay at the level he is at.
Experimenting with different melodies, Mac Miller tampers with a mix between Blue Slide Park & WMWTSO. Although the mixtape is filled with lavish instruments and smooth piano strokes, Mac Miller seems to be at a constant battle with himself. Instead of enticing through boastful materialism about cars and clothes, Faces finds Mac out for vengeance against the critics who wrote him off. Though he’s a product of his own creativity, Mac Miller constantly questions his spot in rap. For example, in “Here We Go,” (The second track off the mixtape) Mac takes a stab at today’s mediocre rap by stating, “I’m underrated, don’t fit on nobody’s playlist / If I ain’t in your top 10, then you’re a racist.”
Whether he’s Delusional Thomas, or Larry Fisherman or Mac Miller, Malcolm has proven with his latest mixtape, Faces, that, if nothing else, Mac Miller knows how to put a tape together from top to bottom. The Pittsburgh native continues his recent trend, blending lyricism and charisma, while exuding intelligence and humor. It’s sorta like a mix between Kanye West and Eminem. Although, Mac isn’t quite Eminem, he generates interest through clever punchlines and hilarious wit.
Another aspect that we have been seeing lately from Mac, is quality of production. If you look back on Macs career, he’s always had a keen eye for production. From SAP on his hit song, “Donald Trump,” to working with top level producers like ID Labs, Mac has steadily progressed on each tape as far as production goes. The introductory song, “Inside Outside,” starts off with a sedated saxophone with a luscious jazzy feel, giving the young rapper the perfect canvas for the beginning of Faces.
Throughout the project, Mac finds himself constantly going back and forth between calls for help, and boisterous undertones. For instance, on “Malibu,” Mac even starts to debate the question of whether he’ll even be alive before detoxing. Mac links up with his rapper friend Earl Sweatshirt of Odd Future for “Polo Jeans,” showing once again that the two are one of the best duo’s in the music industry. My favorite song, “Wedding,” showcases the transformation of Mac Miller. At first, the song seems to be very simple, but after 3 or 4 listens the true genius starts to show its color.
Production turns up a bit on the second half of the mixtape. On the Rick Ross-assisted track called “Insomniak,” Mac finds himself taking on the Drake POV with lyrics like,”I’m on my worst behavior/I’m on my bad sidepiece with the Persian flavor, muthafuckas never loved us/Coming for your money muthaucka don’t trust us/You ain’t shit/Bought a brand new crib, yeah move that brick/I don’t want nothing with your foo foo clique/Treat her like a dog, how I do that bitch.”
At 23 songs, Faces’ only real drawback is its ability to keep your attention on peak throughout the entire tape. Although it never lacks in creativity, the duration of the tape may impede your judgment. Either loosely based in reality or cinematic fantasy, Mac Miller spends much of Faces portraying the life of a drugged-up journeyman, and who doesn’t fuck with that? Shit, I know I do.
8.9/10
