Mac Miller was ready to quit music. During last month’s press tour for his upcoming album, Mac spoke about his most recent project, "Faces" (released in 2014),“"Grand Finale" (last song on the mixtape) was supposed to be the last song I made on earth.” While Mac’s up-and-down relationship with drugs has been in the public eye for years, it shocked fans that he would actually stop making music. With three albums and 11 mixtapes, fans of Mac could always count on a consistent output of music. Although the quality and substance of the music was undoubtedly influenced by the different substances he was taking, Mac was still making music and even dabbling in producing as ‘Larry Fisherman.’
"It just eats at your mind, doing drugs every single day, every second,” said Mac. “I listened to "Faces" and it’s a great project because it’s so raw, but every single song is about coke, drugs.” Rapping about drugs isn’t uncommon, and while many rappers have used that avenue to rise to fame, Mac eventually realized drugs might be harming his music. In an interview with The Breakfast Club he said, “I had to just get my sh*t together and go back to work, you know? I was just being dumb.” While he admits that he still drinks and encounters the occasional slip-up, his daily addiction and reliance on drugs has faded.
It’s been over a year since Mac Miller was set to quit music. GO:OD AM makes me glad he didn’t.
Mac's long-awaited project opens with "Doors," which perfectly sets the scene for the rest of the album. The daydreamy and euphoric production comes courtesy of Tyler the Creator, who has used the same style in other previous songs to the same success. It's hard not to love this beat, xylophone and all. While it's barely over a minute long, the song does a perfect job of emulating the aura of when you're lying in bed and thinking of random shit. It sets the scene for the album in two notable ways. The first is Mac sharing his new views on life:
"It's only a game, don't be afraid. These doors will close, and people change. One day you'll go, right now you're here. No, please, just hear, don't disappear."
After he finishes the last line, a female voice chimes in with, "Good morning, baby," followed by a ringing alarm clock. Mac is literally being woken up and helps set the scene for the rest of the album. Mac waking up means several things: he's in a new state-of-mind (or at least a different one than before), he's now in the "regular" world, and everything that comes from this point forward is an awake Mac. Whether that means he now sees things more clearly or everything he had done in recent history was a figment of his worst nightmares, the vital point is that Mac Miller is awake.
Mac being awake is the most important concept to this album and in terms of the actual music it fits, both thematically and technically. We've already gone over some of the thematics, but logistically this is arguably the most balanced project from Mac we've seen. Take a pinch of the earlier years of an ambitious and rebellious Mac, sprinkle in a darker side with a heavier and more modern sound, and you have "GO:OD AM."
The album reflects the same maturity and newfound sense of clarity that Mac displays in himself. Instead of finding a new direction, he's paved his own way by combining the best parts of his past work to create something new. We can find the gospel-esque, soul-searching Mac in the likes of "Ascension" and "Perfect Circle/God Speed." An aggressive, banger-seeking Mac comes through in "When In Rome," "In The Bag," "Cut The Check" (ft. Chief Keef), and "Break The Law." There's some mainstream, Donald Trump potential with songs like "Brand Name" and "100 Grandkids." There's the slower and chill Mac in works like "Weekend (ft. Miguel)", "Clubhouse," and "ROS." To top it off, we're blessed with yet another Mac and Ab Soul reunion with "Two Matches," where their complementary styles combine for worthwhile collaboration.
Whether you were skipping school with him in your senior year, shopping at the Frick Park Market, or venturing into news paths and trying on different faces, one thing is certain: if you've ever been a fan of Mac Miller, "GO:OD AM" will undoubtedly remind you of the rapper's best qualities. If you've never ventured too deep into the Mac train, this album has the lyrical substance and production quality to get you on board.
Grade: B
