"Circles" by Mac Miller

By Jasmine Palacios, Staff Reporter

RICK KERN/Wireimage

Malcolm James McCormick, professionally known as Mac Miller, was an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Miller talked openly about his mental health and depression, which made his music more popular as this increased relatability. He began his career at the age of 15 in 2007, releasing a total of 21 albums throughout his career. On Sept. 7, 2018, he was found unresponsive in his home and later passed away due to a drug overdose.

His family decided to release one of the albums, “Circles,” he was working on before he had passed on Jan. 17. They saw this as a way to let his legacy live on.

“Unlike many posthumous releases that come across as shameless cash grabs on the part of record labels, this album was truly a labor of love orchestrated by Miller’s family and Brion,” The Heights Newspaper writer Gio Lavoile said.

This album was intended to complement his previous album, “Swimming.” “Circles” was never completed, as he passed away and it was still being worked on. However, his family and producer Brion were able to work together and release it. It contains 12 songs, with a total length of almost 49 minutes.

“While it's hard to listen to him talking about self-deterioration and how he spends far too much time in his own head, it's a privilege to hear him share his innermost thoughts over a bed of sweeping, inventive sonics,” NME author Will Lavin said.

Miller was one of few artists to address mental health through writing music and how it really takes a toll on a person's life as in depth as he did at the time.

“The album deeply talks about personal growth, living with depression, and pushing through life’s hardships,” senior Savanna Weaver said. “Especially the songs ‘Good News’ and ‘Complicated,’ as they both talk about healing through past trauma and emotional experiences.”

Many fans felt a deep connection to his music, especially teenagers. He had a way of making fans feel like they weren’t the only ones going through mental health issues and addiction. Miller lives on through his music as his art continues to help people struggling with mental illness.