Circles
by Mac Miller
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 511 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 424 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 511
  3. Negative: 62 out of 511
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  1. Jinskip
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Such an amazing album, swimming was ok but Circles is on another level, this is some of Mac's greatest music ever released.
  2. Motiv8
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Even after death he gives us good music.this album has beautiful instrumentals that isolate mac and put him like he is talking to you from a place where he found peace
  3. TsotneKavel
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Whole album is full of emotions, thoughts and different feelings... Mac's death really gives this album a strange effect. It's really hard to not weep while you listen those songs. After all, Mac perfectly delivered his message to listener and that's the most important thing in this album, he showed his world, showed what's inside his head and heart.
  4. nabeiro2001
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Beautiful melodies all across the album, very well thought and put together to honor mac miller's life and career.
  5. RachaelMills
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    This album made me cry a lot, masterpiece. Didn't dislike a single track. R.I.P. Mac
  6. blinkriana
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    it’s amazing, i’m so grateful to get to hear this masterpiece. everybody should listen to it
  7. YanLouis
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    A very emotional conclusion, not only to Swimming as a concept but to Mac as an artist. The album shows a large growth in his singing ability and explores his voice and abilities vocally. The instrumentals are groovy at points, and calm at others, reinforcing the tone of the album, melancholy with an optimistic outlook.
  8. benjiminss
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this is really his last album we ever get, which is sad. and the fact that the hidden/background vocal in ‘i can see’ is ariana grande’s vocal, made it way more emotional. songs are amazing. this is sooo emotional.… Expand
  9. Sadvilliany
    Jan 17, 2020
    8
    I usually dislike posthumous albums, but this... this is something else... It's lovely, Mac's voice compliments the instrumentals so nicely. I'm not sure what Mac wanted this album to be for sure, but I think he would be proud of this. You can tell that there was care and thought put into this album, it wasn't just thrown together like a lot of posthumous albums we see are. It's great.I usually dislike posthumous albums, but this... this is something else... It's lovely, Mac's voice compliments the instrumentals so nicely. I'm not sure what Mac wanted this album to be for sure, but I think he would be proud of this. You can tell that there was care and thought put into this album, it wasn't just thrown together like a lot of posthumous albums we see are. It's great.

    Favorite Tracks: Good News, Blue World, Everybody, Surf, Complicated    … Expand
  10. Jeikuuuuu
    Jan 17, 2020
    8
    It's good, not insanely new and revolutionary, but it's good. This is not completely a rap album, so you shouldn't expect it to be. It's production is really fresh and atmospheric. The use of strings and synths really portray the mood of the album. The lyrics make it beautiful and depressing knowing that he knew himself well enough and expected the worst from his use of substances.
  11. DanTheFunnyman
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Tragic genius; an epilogue of a life lived in excess but not without cares or stresses. 11/10
  12. mcunha11
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Just perfect.
    Hhjíyygikbgggffggggggghjkiytfxddthhvftyhvvftyjjngujhfyhbvujyiojjikjbgyyhju
    Thanks
  13. melliejellie
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    A beautiful album by a beautiful person. The songs are smooth but meaningful, and they get better and better after every listen. Rest in peace, Mac. Gone but never forgotten.
  14. Yoshermain
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    Brilliant record. The fun moments pan out well, but the record is mostly just beautiful. Amazing production and surprising singing, rapping takes a backseat and it works so, so well. RIP my man. I think Mac would be incredibly proud of how this record panned out, and I can only see this record growing on me further in the future. Easily will be the one of the best records of the year, andBrilliant record. The fun moments pan out well, but the record is mostly just beautiful. Amazing production and surprising singing, rapping takes a backseat and it works so, so well. RIP my man. I think Mac would be incredibly proud of how this record panned out, and I can only see this record growing on me further in the future. Easily will be the one of the best records of the year, and I just know that That’s On Me is going to become one of my favorite songs ever and maybe my most played song this year. Awesome record.

    Best tracks: That’s On Me, Blue World, Everybody, Woods, Hand Me Downs

    Least favorite (but still great): Once a Day    … Expand
  15. Edilsonmiguel
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    forever in our hearts. this album marks a dark period of Mac's eternal absence, but in its melodies a light comfort is transmitted.
  16. ruloreybia
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es un álbum magnífico, un paso al antecesor de swwimming pero aún en un círculo perfecto combinado… Expand
  17. mondiaparte
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    there's no right or wrong with how this turned out but i sure listen the whole album on repeat and its truly a masterpiece..
  18. T9t8
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This final piece of art from Mac is the perfect closure to his unfortunate demise. He takes the best elements of swimming and takes it up a notch. Noticeable influence from the Beatles clouds over the project where Mac opens up his soul and expresses his heavily pondered thoughts over an array of casual, eccentric, and enveloping instrumentals. The project ends with you pondering what isThis final piece of art from Mac is the perfect closure to his unfortunate demise. He takes the best elements of swimming and takes it up a notch. Noticeable influence from the Beatles clouds over the project where Mac opens up his soul and expresses his heavily pondered thoughts over an array of casual, eccentric, and enveloping instrumentals. The project ends with you pondering what is next for this brilliant artist, which ironically and unfortunately is the story of Mac Miller. The album will tug at your heart strings and will make you think deeply about how you approach your day to day life, it’s art at its purest form,… Expand
  19. YeezusHoops
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Beautiful album & a perfect send off for Mac, Jon Brions production meshes with Mac fantastically.
  20. irwinschwartz
    Jan 17, 2020
    8
    I was very happy to hear that Mac Miller's estate was releasing a posthumous album. Let's just say it did not disappoint in the slightest. The sound of the album is more laid-back than his previous releases and is very much focused on singing and not as much rapping. The lyrics are hauntingly foreshadowing and predictive which make the album even more powerful. It seems like Miller isI was very happy to hear that Mac Miller's estate was releasing a posthumous album. Let's just say it did not disappoint in the slightest. The sound of the album is more laid-back than his previous releases and is very much focused on singing and not as much rapping. The lyrics are hauntingly foreshadowing and predictive which make the album even more powerful. It seems like Miller is writing from the afterlife which is an almost spiritual experience. If you weren't listening to the lyrics then it would seem almost like easy listening but it is definitely not that if you do. While this is not necessarily my favorite album from Miller (who is one of my favorite artists) it is very impressive and powerful especially since it is a posthumous release.

    Favorite Tracks: Good News, Hand Me Downs, Hands, Once A Day

    Least Favorite Tracks: Surf, I Can See    … Expand
  21. wlsnwlsnwsl
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    this album is a fantastic combination of lyrical content and sweet beats, a final goodbye from mac miller to the world.
  22. joao166
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    The album sounds good, so smooth, cool. He really did with this album, so good. The vocals and his voice... everything
  23. Quinney
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    Beautiful, raw and real, his best work in my opinion. I wish other artists went in deep and got this real on there albums like he did. He will be so missed, he is so loved.
  24. fifi3
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    This album was really amazing to me. I was a bit concerned, it being a posthumous album and all. But Jon Brion and the everyone else involved did Mac justice. This is equally live, calming; but more eclectic, experimental and almost indie-like than Swimming. The production is absolutely superb and the lyrics change from relatable, inspiring, and heartbreaking from track to track. TheThis album was really amazing to me. I was a bit concerned, it being a posthumous album and all. But Jon Brion and the everyone else involved did Mac justice. This is equally live, calming; but more eclectic, experimental and almost indie-like than Swimming. The production is absolutely superb and the lyrics change from relatable, inspiring, and heartbreaking from track to track. The production and Mac's soulful performances feel like he delivered them from heaven for his fans one last time.

    At the end of the album it's bittersweet. The idea of 'Swimming', being that as long as you are swimming you can't drown. Now, he's reached a new level of inner peace: no longer is he swimming, barely keeping his head above water as waves come crashing down, but surfing above them. And then he passed. But his music lives on.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best Album of 2020
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Clash Music
    Feb 3, 2020
    80
    Despite the sadness that clearly surrounds this project there is plenty of positivity: the production of the album is impeccable, and the overwhelming message that shines through is of hope for the future.
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  2. RapReviews.com
    Jan 30, 2020
    85
    Mac’s sixth studio album is a surreal experience that’s filled with opaque contemplation and tragic connotations. ... Loneliness may be our greatest fear other than death. Mac was able to explicitly re-establish this idea through reflective songwriting and gentle crooning. His genius and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. “Circles” is a stark reminder of that.
    Read full review
  3. HipHopDX
    Jan 21, 2020
    80
    He finds beauty and peace in allowing himself to experience his own emotions. It’s an honest, matter-of-fact account of the grey areas of his life and mind. On Circles, Mac shows the unexpected joy that can be found in the darkest of times.
    Read full review
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