The memorable, unique voice. The beloved funky basslines. The evolving lyrical style. Pittsburgh rapper, actor, and producer Malcolm James McCormick, better known as Mac Miller, came out with a fresh buzz cut and a new album, Swimming on Friday, August 3.

Contrary to what listeners suspected, Miller speaks with peace of mind and wisdom in his new album. Prior to Swimming, the 26-year-old publicly dated singer and actress Ariana Grande for two years and debuted an album in 2016 entitled The Divine Feminine—a record supposedly dedicated to Grande.  

The transition from his 2015 album, GO:OD AM, showed a party-loving, materialistic, and arrogant young rapper, who turned into a sensitive, conscious, and alternative artist in The Divine Feminine. Shortly after this album’s release, Grande left Miller, leaving the public shocked and waiting for Miller’s next move. And what does a rapper with a pen, paper, and a broken heart usually do? Release a gloomy album made for rainy Sundays—however, Miller took a different route.

“Self care. I’m treatin’ me right, yeah. Oh yeah. We gonna be alright,” recites the rapper in one of his new songs on the album, “Self Care.”

Miller introduces a serene persona and an evolving style in his new album. He commences the track with a mellow guitar melody under his lyrical singing in the song “Come Back to Earth,” establishing the nostalgic and calm tone of his album. Following this song comes his beloved heavy high hat and hip hop bassline complemented by Miller’s unique rap style. Such contrast exhibits his growth—growth as an artist and as a person with a broken heart.

“Used to be feelin’ depressed. Now that I’m livin’, I’m feelin’ obsessed,” raps Miller in “Hurt Feelings,” proclaiming his new life and newer style.

In the same song, Miller sings a bold chorus defining his attitude towards his new life,  “I’m always sayin’ I won’t change but I ain’t the same/Don’t know what you missin’, shame on you.”

Though the hint of heartbreak does subtly come about in the album, it does not overpower the theme of Swimming. Love and emotion ruled each verse of The Divine Feminine, but Miller adopts a more timeless and relatable style with lifting lines and instrumentals incorporating jazz, orchestra, R&B, and hip-hop melodies.

After the hip-hop tune in “Hurt Feelings,” Miller throws in his signature 1970’s style bassline and synthesizer in “What’s the Use.” He addresses naysayers and reminds the listener of his confidence and progress.

The following songs sustain the established style and continue to satisfy anyone who fell in love from the start of Swimming; each song continues to gain a heavier bassline while Miller’s lyrics grow increasingly relaxed and catchy. However, when the play button hits the second to last song, “2009,” the tone of the album abruptly shifts.

A brilliant orchestra, accompanied by a nostalgic piano, welcomes the listener into “2009,” while the strings smoothly rise and fall into the melodic intro, wrapping up Swimming. This song takes Miller away from the romanticized spotlight, and places him in front of the listener in a dim room, with his heart wide open. “2009” dismisses Miller, and introduces the humble Malcolm James McCormick: a man who transformed from young and arrogant, to young and in love, and now to a man who has lived through heartbreak and continues to focus on his self-growth.

The Chant’s Grade: A-