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. musicguystuff
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So beautiful with masterful writing and production. Lots of work and passion was took to this album. An album that will have an everlasting impact.… Expand
  2. thereviewmanman
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    As someone who has been listening to Mac Miller since 2011, his passing has been a painful loss. His music has been the soundtrack to many pivotal and intimate moments of my life. I met my best friend through mutual love of his artistry; the highs and lows of both high school and college were amplified by his work. For me, "Swimming" was a score of loss. I related a personal loss of a longAs someone who has been listening to Mac Miller since 2011, his passing has been a painful loss. His music has been the soundtrack to many pivotal and intimate moments of my life. I met my best friend through mutual love of his artistry; the highs and lows of both high school and college were amplified by his work. For me, "Swimming" was a score of loss. I related a personal loss of a long time relationship to many songs off of that record. When Mac himself left this Earth, "Swimming" became both a comfort and a void in my life I didn't know how to fill...

    "Circles" has filled that void. It is far and away Mac's most melodic and detailed album in his discography. He mostly forgoes rapping for singing, and while it won't blow any one away with its technicality, his voice portrays the emotion of his lyrics sincerely. The instrumentation is lush and organic, with influences from Laurel Canyon pop music to modern house and synth-pop, all while building on the rapping and lyricism that made Mac Miller special to begin with. Credit to Jon Brion for helping shape a wonderous soundscape that simultaneously evokes melancholy and hope. Credit more to Mac Miller's family, who honorably and nobly saw his legacy to completion. And that is what this album is at its core; completion. It is the end of the journey for Mac Miller, and while the journey was cut short, the songs he has left behind give the message that all is going to be ok. Death was often on his mind, but it no longer seemed to scare him on this album. Rather, he seems to have concluded that when his time is up, there will be something greater on the other side. The album often feels like a voice from beyond, comforting and knowing, giving confidence that all is alright. Wherever Mac is, he assures us he is at peace. I will always keep Mac's music and legacy in my heart, but this album brought closure to the void left from his passing. I'm not sure I can think of another album that completes an artist's journey as well as this one does. Till we meet in another life Mac, rest in peace.    … Expand
  3. LukeNoctor
    Feb 29, 2020
    9
    This is the best posthumous release we've had in a very long while. It is a very sad and heart breaking project to listen to as he sounds so hopeful for his future on a lot of the tracks. Having said that he also covered a lot of issues he was struggling with on this release which makes this album even more of an emotional experience. This is a very heavy yet smooth listen overall. 9/10.
  4. MyOpinion1
    Jan 26, 2020
    9
    Although apparently unfinished, the albums themes, sound and overall composition is beautiful. There Is no other way to put it. The emotion conveyed by each individual song is immense and Mac sounds great on all of the tracks in my opinion. Beats are good. Lyrics are brilliant and tell a story of how Mac was feeling at the time of writing them, but most importantly is just how beautifulAlthough apparently unfinished, the albums themes, sound and overall composition is beautiful. There Is no other way to put it. The emotion conveyed by each individual song is immense and Mac sounds great on all of the tracks in my opinion. Beats are good. Lyrics are brilliant and tell a story of how Mac was feeling at the time of writing them, but most importantly is just how beautiful each song is and. A truly beautiful work of art the legend left behind.… Expand
  5. Jugraj
    Jan 29, 2020
    9
    This is how you do Posthumous music...I felt like he recorded this up in the heaven. Thankyou Mac
  6. ipeduarda
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    Muito bom. Mac lenda eterna... Talento puro e genuíno... Impecável assim como quase tudo q ele criava.
  7. diogovieira63
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    What a great way to say goodbye to this phenomenal artist. Couldn't ask for better
  8. naomisge
    Feb 2, 2020
    10
    This album truly shows his growth. Makes me wonder how far he would of gone.
  9. yungnikgamer06
    May 13, 2020
    10
    This is his best record with Swimming.The songs are beautiful yet heartbreaking.It is the best record i heard for some time.Rest easy,Malcolm.❤️
  10. Igormatthew
    Feb 13, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Álbum Prefeito, trás muito emoção sentimento e é muito inovador, merece muito sucesso e notas maiores..… Expand
  11. scrawnymfcker
    Feb 14, 2020
    10
    lovely album, miss you mac
  12. Kaarentellier
    Feb 15, 2020
    10
    Hermoso álbum, Mac merecía la atención que recibió desde siempre. Te amo por siempre Malcolm❤️
  13. osnapitsg
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    beautiful. and a truly incredible thing that the album was able to be produced. lyrically and musically beautiful. RIP Mac, you will forever be appreciated, loved and missed.
  14. jogui78
    Mar 9, 2020
    10
    Bro, this whole album just feels like a warm hug, a goodbye to everyone. he is just talking from his heart. wherever he is i hope he is smiling, rest in peace mac
  15. lauramiranda42
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Beautifully done. We can relate to his feelings through soothing and calm music. Mac's death had a great impact on me, so it took long for me to listen to his late album. But it was even better than I expected. It's a work of art. Definitely his best, better even than the Divine Feminine which is my favorite album of all times.
  16. illScapolo
    Mar 27, 2020
    10
    The whole album feels like being written from the other side. It's much more musical than the rest and it's profoundness lets us wondering how much better a next album would have been.
  17. JakeWLovesRap
    Apr 2, 2020
    9
    The best ending we could have reasonably asked for. Mac builds off his unique sound on 'Swimming' and really gives his best vocals of his career. Packed with heartfelt songs and some spots to let you know that Mac could still rap. Beautiful album that I think will be looked at as Mac's masterpiece one day.
  18. polishreview
    May 6, 2020
    10
    A true masterpiece of art. Circles may very well be the only good post-death album to be released ever. Circles exceeds at being the best sister album to swimming, completing the dream that Mac had envisioned. Circles far outhsines anything made within its same release year.
  19. Clerisson
    May 28, 2020
    9
    The only Mac album that can really go against swimming, this album deserves to be the best of the year! Mac Miller always innovating and improving every year, I miss you
  20. smolheartbigpp
    Jul 18, 2020
    8
    This is a very beautiful and serene listen every time. The composition of his vocal melodies and instrumentals is eargasmic. Lyrics are deep and meaningful. Not every track flows well, "Surf" is a little washed out and boring. "Circles" is one of his best works and a great send-off. My favorite track is "Everybody".
  21. PINEAPPLE_X12
    Jul 28, 2020
    8
    It’s a little long, but other then that it’s amazing. “Good News” is one of the best songs ever made. I also like how chill this album is.
  22. HavanaS
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Ja perdi as contas de quantas vezes corri para esse álbum. Mac era um artista incrível e faz muita falta.
  23. Tal333
    Feb 3, 2021
    9
    Just beautiful. The writing is mature, the instrumentals are great. Mac's singing isn't perfect, but is has a lot of charm. Highly recommended.
  24. keonbreez
    Nov 10, 2020
    9
    What you really want to see in an artist's career is growth. Mac Miller started up as a punk kid who then grew up to be one of raps premier talents. After the announcement of this album, I was really iffy on the quality, as posthumous albums are rarely finished and usually packed with filler tracks and features. This album is completely different. You can tell that these tracks were mostlyWhat you really want to see in an artist's career is growth. Mac Miller started up as a punk kid who then grew up to be one of raps premier talents. After the announcement of this album, I was really iffy on the quality, as posthumous albums are rarely finished and usually packed with filler tracks and features. This album is completely different. You can tell that these tracks were mostly finished before his untimely passing. Most of the songs on this album are slow ballads about self reflection, and it really makes sense as a next step for mac. His last album, 2018's Swimming, has a very similar tone yet included more rap and rhyme schemes that makes this album a more evolved and simplified step forward. Overall, one of the best albums of 2020 and the best posthumous album in recent years. RIP mac :(… Expand
  25. enkhilada
    Dec 2, 2020
    9
    Incredibly beautiful album. The production work is perfect. It is so sad that Mac's best work was his last.
  26. AMHDK
    Dec 18, 2020
    9
    I have always been a Mac fan, but 'Swimming' really made me love and appreciate his music more. It so unfortunate that he passed away shortly after Swimming, because it is so far his best piece of art. So i was really nervous about this posthumous album, but John Brion and everybody involved really did an amazing job. This albums is so good and a perfect follow up after Swimming. Forever Mac.
  27. boondocks
    Jan 7, 2021
    9
    What a fantastic send off for Mac Miller. Everything about this album is beautiful. Production and vocals are absolutely amazing. Best tracks are "Circles", "Blue World", "Good News", "Woods", and "Hand Me Downs". Rest In Peace Mac Miller.
  28. prettynikki
    Mar 1, 2021
    10
    This album is truly a masterpiece. Mac Miller has grown before our eyes. So many beautiful lyrics. This album has helped me through severe depression, we miss you easy mac with the cheesy raps. RIP
  29. hdcooper
    Apr 11, 2021
    9
    An easy-going, soulful record that discusses Mac's troubles he battled with. Offering a fulfilling, but still heart-breaking goodbye to an artist that seemed to just start understanding where he really wanted to take his music.

    9.0/10
  30. CreativeUsrname
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Great Album. I love how it didn't really rip off the style of Swimming, but had a different one instead :) Very unique experience
  31. Gringovisky
    Jun 25, 2021
    9
    Lindo Álbum com uma belíssima produção, mas acho que a maior proeza desse projeto seja o fato de Mac Miller ter reconhecido suas limitações como cantor e ter usado a produção ao seu favor, fazendo assim que o seu vocal nesse álbum ficasse simples e perfeito.
  32. Mellowry
    Aug 18, 2021
    10
    Beautiful, true art. A perfect track listing, the sounds mix incredibly good so it isn't "only a sad record", the instruments sound great and are very well chosen, and of course Mac Millers voice sounds incredibly good, it has a real modern jazzy vibe, with very overthinking lyrics.
  33. LasseLong
    May 16, 2022
    10
    This album is absolutely gut-wrenching, it gets you every time. Mac was a genius, Rest In Peace.
  34. JJ2FAS4U
    Dec 29, 2021
    9
    ------------------------------------9/10-----------------------------------
  35. celdredge2
    Jan 6, 2022
    9
    One of my favorite posthumous albums, Circles by Mac Miller is an amazing journey of Mac's legacy and musical satisfaction left on others. This album does a great job of implementing his greatness even after his death, a general emotional journey that compares to the likes of Blonde. Overall 9/10, amazing album.
  36. daytonatabooywr
    Feb 5, 2023
    10
    easy 10 wtf this is perfect i cried so hard and came all over myself when good news played top 10 song of all time
  37. Melondemon
    Aug 20, 2023
    10
    this album just changed my life. thank you mac
    and probably my favorite and most outstanding album
  38. nachocmq
    May 18, 2023
    10
    this is pure art, this album made me cry, and think about a lot of things..
  39. MusicCriticG
    Aug 28, 2023
    9
    This was Really a good Posthumous album, the way his Label/Family handled this was amazing, it generally was made for his legacy and didn't seem like a cash grab like most posthumous Records

    :FAVORITE TRACKS: that's on me, Blue World
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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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