Balloonerism

A Monumental Return for the Fans

It’s official—Mac Miller’s long-awaited, long-lost album Balloonerism is finally set to see the light of day. Fans have been clamoring for this one for years, and now, in 2025, we’ll finally get to hear the project that Mac started and left behind, like a forgotten balloon floating just out of reach. So, what’s the story behind this mysterious album? Let’s float through the details.

The Journey Behind Balloonerism

Balloonerism wasn’t born in a studio with a clean, polished production process. Instead, it emerged from a whirlwind of creativity during a fleeting, magical week in 2013-2014—between the release of Watching Movies With the Sound Off and the mixtape Faces. Mac and his collaborators locked themselves into an intense jam session that spanned several days. The result? A bundle of tracks that would go on to define this never-fully-realized album.

But here’s the kicker: Mac, ever the restless artist, decided to shift his focus toward Faces. Some of the Balloonerism sessions were repurposed for that mixtape, while the remainder of the tracks languished, unfinished, and almost forgotten. E. Dan of ID Labs, in an interview on Reddit (which has since disappeared like a fading echo), shared that Mac even put together a few tracklists for Balloonerism, but as time went on, the project was shelved, and Mac’s creative path veered elsewhere.

"[Mac] did make an actual tracklist (a few actually) [for Balloonerism] and pretty much all of the songs you all know as Balloonerism were made inside of a week stemming from what was basically jam sessions," Dan wrote. "He did indeed move on from it, took a few of the songs for Faces, and never got back to it.”

In 2021, a version of Balloonerism leaked online—fans got a taste of what had been lost. But in March 2023, producer Madlib—who’s been an integral part of Mac’s sound—let slip during an interview with Sway in the Morning that he was finishing work on an unreleased Mac Miller project. He didn’t spill all the beans, but the implication was clear: Balloonerism was being resurrected. And now, the estate has confirmed it.

The Cover Art: A Balloon to the Past

Let’s talk about the cover—a piece of art in itself. Featuring an abstract painting of Mac Miller’s face, morphing into a balloon, and tethered to the hands of a dark figure, the artwork plays on themes of release and restraint, freedom and control. It’s enigmatic, just like the album’s story. A representation of Mac as both light and tethered, floating between the realms of the earthly and the ethereal. When asked about the project during the interview with Madlib, Sway wanted to know if this was the same unreleased album that fans had been dreaming of for years. Madlib’s answer? Simple and to the point: “Yeah, they’re down.”

Mac Miller's Estate/Warner Records

The Big Reveal: Balloonerism Trailer at Camp Flog Gnaw

On November 17, 2023, the world got a sneak peek at Balloonerism during Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. As the crowd cheered and swayed under the California sky, an animated trailer for the album played, giving a glimpse of the psychedelic journey that the music promises. The trailer featured curious kids and whimsical rodents embarking on a trippy adventure through strange landscapes, set to two of the tracks from Balloonerism: "5 Dollar Pony Rides" and "The Song That Changed Everything"—the latter featuring the ethereal vocals of SZA. The visual was as surreal as the music itself—a fitting introduction to a project that’s been floating in the ether for over a decade.

The Tracklist: A Tease of What’s to Come

If you’ve been scouring streaming platforms, you may have noticed that the Balloonerism tracklist has been uploaded—but, in true Mac Miller fashion, it’s enigmatic and mysterious. While the titles remain a secret, the album will feature 14 tracks, each one an undiscovered gem from Mac’s catalog. We don’t know who will be joining him on this journey (guest appearances are still under wraps), but one thing’s for sure—the sound will be as experimental, eclectic, and soulful as Mac’s ever was.

The Release Date: Mark Your Calendars

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to dive back into Mac Miller’s world. The full Balloonerism album will drop on January 17, 2025. It will be available across all formats, including vinyl, CD, and cassette—because, of course, this album deserves to be celebrated in the most tactile, immersive way possible.

As we wait for this long-awaited release, let’s reflect on the magic of Mac Miller’s music. Balloonerism is more than just an album—it’s a message from the past, a gift from an artist who, even in his absence, continues to inspire us all to float freely, embrace the journey, and never stop creating.

Until then, keep those balloons tethered, and keep the spirit of Mac Miller alive.