Celebrated for having built his fanbase with social networking sites and music blogs, 19-year-old Mac Miller has been gaining steam as of late and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Though he's been making music since 2007, it wasn't until the 2010 release of "K.I.D.S. (Kickin' Incredibly Dope S--t)" that Mac gained widespread attention.
Despite his success, Miller has resisted any and all record contracts other than one with independent label Rostrum Records. In an age when most popular rappers are signing to major record labels, Mac has remained steadfast in his independence. His stance is a rare one and is symbolic of his gratitude to and reliance on his fans.
Since releasing a disappointing mixtape in March entitled "Best Day Ever," Mac took another step to show his appreciation for his fans; for every additional 100,000 new followers to his Twitter account, Miller released one new song. On October 15, these new releases culminated in his mixtape, "I Love Life, Thank You," when he reached a million followers.
Against that backdrop, Mac Miller released his impressive debut album, "Blue Slide Park" on Tuesday under the Rostrum label. The album title refers to Mac's hometown roots; Blue Slide Park is a section of Pittsburgh's Frick Park, located two blocks away from Miller's high school. As he has done on previous releases, Mac gives repeated shout-outs to his Pittsburgh roots here, even going so far as to name the album's first single "Frick Park Market" after a favorite local deli.
Despite not using the creative resources of a major label, Mac nonetheless excels in his talent for finding amazing samples and beats for his songs. However, a great deal of credit is also due to his producer, Big Jerm.
After a dreamy introductory instrumental, the album proceeds to its title track, "Blue Slide Park." The song is an impressive compilation of Mac's smooth voice quickly rapped over a relaxing beat, but does little to prepare us for the following track, "Party on Fifth Ave." Featuring an addictive and familiar sample from 45 King's 1987 release, "The 900 Number," "Party on Fifth Ave" includes a deep bass and some high-pitched beeps throughout the chorus that make it a true head-bobber. Accompa nied by Mac's rapid lyrical rapping style, this song is one of the album's unmistakable hits.
The album's first single, "Frick Park Market" is similarly characterized by a compelling beat and Mac's quick flow, two features that raise this track to the same level as "Party on Fifth Ave." What really propels the former track above the latter, however, are its arrogant yet funny lyrics. Mac prefaces his first verse by a simulated deli order in this same lighthearted haughtiness: "Uhh, let me get a turkey sandwich, uh lettuce, tomato, b---h."
Mac's decision to rap over big beats (also heard on "Smile Back" and "Loitering") is undoubtedly deliberate and mindful. Though many of Mac's tunes have a relaxed feel, fans regard his heavier songs most suited to parties and car rides. In "Party on Fifth Ave," Mac concurs with such an understanding when he boasts, "this that old school s--t, soundin' good in the ride / So let's head out to the party, I'll drive."
Though Mac clearly focused on musical production in this latest release, this was by no means his only priority; the lyrics on this new album rebound from "Best Day Ever" with a vengeance. Though it rarely seems there is a deeper meaning to Mac's lyrics, "Blue Slide Park" somehow feels more mature in spite of its thematic emphasis on partying and living the life of a famous teenage rapper.
In "Under the Weather," Mac experiments with different rapping speeds, while he invokes a soulful mood in the slower track "Of The Soul." This sort of creativity is largely successful but sometimes feels out of place, as on "Up All Night." Even so, I think it is commendable for Mac to take these sorts of risks, especially since the majority of rappers recording under big-name labels are unable to exercise the same creative license.
Toward the end of the album, Mac goes so far as to take a stab at dating. After a melancholy instrumental, "Diamonds and Gold" features a rap about mistreated girls with trust and relationship issues. Then on "Missed Calls," Mac raps about a girl he once knew and liked but has lost contact with since coming into fame.
These more emotional songs are refreshing because they feature an innocence that makes them accessible to a younger crowd. We last saw this side of Mac in his featured role on "That's Love" off 9th Wonder's latest album, but it is more obvious on the last tracks of "Blue Slide Park" with Mac's references to name-calling and Juicy sweatpants.
The album's penultimate song, "Man in the Hat," features a sad yet hopeful beat over which Mac raps about his struggles as a 19-year-old thrust into the spotlight of fame. These lyrics cast Miller in an entirely new light; he raps here about his struggles to come up with new verses and calls that he grow up. For this reason, "Man in the Hat" ranks up there with "Frick Park Market" and "Party on Fifth Ave" as one of my favorites from the album.
Mac succeeds with this debut by fleshing out his praiseworthy samples and beats with somewhat more mature lyrical content. And perhaps ironically, Mac also flourishes on "Smile Back" and "Loitering" by using a simple device that has worked well for him in the past: lighthearted and fun partying lyrics. After the disappointment of "Best Day Ever," "Blue Slide Park" is a huge improvement that should easily surpass the popularity of "K.I.D.S."