2年ぶりとなる新作はこれまで以上にファンクでソウルな傑作に。
過去作品も軒並み大絶賛。一気に各方面からのプロップスを集めたピッツバーグ出身のMCの新作。豪華なゲストもさることながらファンク、インディーR&Bの影響が色濃く味わい深い。中でもデイム・ファンクがプロダクション、サンダーキャットがベースで参加した(3)はハイライト・チューン。その他アルバムの幕開けに相応しいメロウチューン(1)、ブラッド・オレンジとの共作(5)など賞賛間違いなしの全13曲。 (C)グランツリー武蔵小杉店:柴野 直史

タワーレコード （2018/08/31）

時代を席巻するのも楽じゃない――。 リリースするアルバム全て全米TOP5以内!インディーの星からメジャーのスターへと成長したマック・ミラーが、時代の最先端へと再び躍り出る!THUNDERCATやThe Internetのスティーヴ・レイシーにシド・ザ・キッド、Blood Orangeことデヴ・ハインズ、デイム・ファンクやスヌープ・ドッグなどの超豪華ゲストが参加したニュー・アルバム完成!

発売・販売元 提供資料 （2018/08/06）

Rolling Stone - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[H]e reveals himself to be a sympathetic, even winning presence....He's an undeniably talented songwriter..." NME (Magazine) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Opening with the lilting `Come Back To Earth', Miller dives straight into a bold new sonic stratosphere. All gorgeous layered vocals accompanied by trickling piano lines and gauzy synthesised sounds, it's a world away from the frat rap of his earliest releases." Pitchfork (Website) - "Mac Miller sings deftly about heartbreak and his mental state, capturing his resignation without turning sadness into a performative spectacle."

Rovi

Following 2016's ode to love The Divine Feminine, Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller avoids treading water and continues his artistic maturation on his fifth full-length, Swimming. As flowing as the title suggests, Swimming undulates with laid-back slacker soul and hypnotic production, like a lava lamp bobbing along calm waves. Inspired by events preceding the album's release, Miller's moody and introspective lyrics hint at the post-breakup black cloud hovering above his head, while also addressing his struggles with maintaining sobriety. Coupled with his soulful sing-rapping and input from producer Jon Brion, Swimming is one of Miller's more enjoyable and cohesive visions. Throughout, there's an emo-R&B vibe that strongly recalls Frank Ocean, just with less eloquent or evocative lyrics. Highlights include the popping, Pharrell-assisted "Hurt Feelings," the synth-funk bounce of the Snoop Dogg and Thundercat collaboration "What's the Use?," and "Self Care," a narcotic cloud rap gem that benefits from co-writers Dev Hynes and J.I.D. The woozy production and marble-mouthed delivery can sometimes be a slog (similar to one of Drake's or Post Malone's overly long albums), but every now and then there's something -- be it the surprise jazz piano on "Small Worlds" or the orchestral sweep of "2009" -- that pulls everything back into focus. Licking his wounds after a rough first half of 2018, Miller realizes "You could have the world in the palm of your hands/You still might drop it" on closer "So It Goes." With an eye on the future, Swimming is ample evidence that Miller can pick up the pieces and continue evolving, his grasp on thoughtful, introspective hip-hop getting stronger by the album. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Rovi