The wait is over: Balloonerism, Mac Miller’s long-anticipated album, finally has a release date. Fans can mark their calendars for January 17, 2025 — exactly five years to the day since the release of Circles and just two days shy of what would have been Mac’s 33rd birthday.
Announced by the late rapper’s family, Balloonerism is a deeply personal project that dates back to 2014, during the creation of Mac’s beloved Faces mixtape. In their statement, Mac’s family emphasized the significance of this album in his life. “It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm,” they said, noting that while it never saw an official release, Balloonerism was something Mac frequently discussed and even commissioned artwork for. They continued:
“We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world”.
Fans eager to honor Mac’s legacy can pre-order physical editions of the album on his website. Options include CDs, cassettes, and vinyl, with a deluxe vinyl edition featuring a 3D pop-up centerfold, a fold-out poster, and a 32-page booklet of photos and lyrics.
Balloonerism was first teased at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, where a cinematic trailer debuted. The teaser, featuring animated visuals and snippets of two unreleased tracks — “The Song That Changed Everything” (featuring SZA) and “5 Dollar Pony Rides” — set the stage for the album’s highly anticipated arrival.
The album cover, an abstract balloon-inspired painting of Mac Miller by artist Alim Smith, adds another layer of poignancy to the release. Smith shared a similar piece on Instagram in 2018, which Mac enthusiastically commented on, writing: “Need this”.
Described as “zany” and “otherworldly” by Mac’s longtime manager Quentin Cuff, Balloonerism promises to take listeners on a creative journey that encapsulates Mac’s fearless artistry. “At the time, they really stood out, and people loved it,” Cuff recalled in The Book of Mac: Remembering Mac Miller.
This official release not only fulfills one of Mac’s wishes, but also offers fans a chance to celebrate his legacy once more. Balloonerism arrives as more than an album — it’s a testament to the enduring brilliance of an artist gone too soon.