When rapper Mac Miller died in September 2018 of an accidental drug overdose, just a month after his album “Swimming” was released, fans were shocked. His new posthumous album, “Circles,” which was released Jan. 17, provided fans with closure. 

In “Swimming,” Miller sang about his issues with anxiety, depression and drugs. While “Circles” covers similar subject matter, it has a more mature tone. It is clear from the lyrics in the song “So It Goes” from “Swimming” that Miller intended for the album to feed into “Circles.” In the song, he sings, “My god, it go on and on/Just like a circle, I go back to where I’m from.”

“Good News,” released as a single prior to its feature in “Circles,” includes the lines, “Why does everybody need me to stay?/Oh, I hate the feeling/When you’re high but you’re underneath the ceiling,” perhaps referencing his drug use as well as the anxiety and pressure he felt while he was alive. “Good News” evokes a strong emotional reaction from listeners after Miller’s death. Over the soft guitar and synthesizer, Miller sings: “There’s a whole lot more for me waiting on the other side.”

Some of the songs featured on Miller’s new album have a more melancholy sound than his past works, such as “Everybody.” Despite the heavy topic of life and death, the artist takes a more optimistic approach in this song. In the chorus, Miller sings: “Everybody’s gotta live/And everybody’s gonna die.”

“Circles” doesn’t fall into the hip-hop genre that Miller’s other albums did. The late artist does more singing than rapping throughout the album. “Circles” includes only a couple rap songs, such as “Blue World” and “Hands.” 

While the lyrics express Miller’s optimism, the album doesn’t include the same jazzy, upbeat feeling that led to hits like “Dang!” The melodies are more mellow, showing Miller’s maturity and ability to execute an inter-genre project.

Jon Brion, Miller’s producer, was left with many half-finished songs after Miller’s untimely death. Brion made it his mission to finish the message of the rap artist who never got the chance to finish his artistic journey. Overall, “Circles” is a beautiful album to remember  Miller.