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. YeezusHoops
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Beautiful album & a perfect send off for Mac, Jon Brions production meshes with Mac fantastically.
  2. 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
  3. bituiz
    Mar 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. é um album muito bom e tenho certeza que malcom esta feliz de terem lançado ele… Expand
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Phalanx39
    Jan 18, 2020
    9
    A beautiful album. It is very emotional considering Mac's life and head space at the time of recording, but doesn't need to rely on it. It's just really damn good. There isn't a single track on it I don't like, and although it continues the departure from Mac's earlier work, it is a very fitting progression. Beautiful.
  7. Meisejr
    Jan 19, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That's how to make a posthoumos album. Simply a masterpiece of art! Just balm for the soul...… Expand
  8. Squanchyy
    Jan 19, 2020
    10
    This album created energy I haven't had from music for a while. The rhythm and the lyrics had me vibing out, some songs brought me to a sadness hearing the sadness in his tone. The different and wide variety of music that Mac brought us was something special. From rapping to that soothing singing voice he has. What an artist. Rest in Peace. Your music will forever live on.
  9. 92tilinfinity
    Jan 19, 2020
    10
    Beautiful. Thank you so much for finishing this project, Jon Brion, and doing so through Mac’s perspective. Thank you, Malcolm.
  10. Dxogo
    Jan 22, 2020
    10
    Tjis is an amazing experience especially if you were a long time Mac Miller fan. What a closure for what it has been an amazing carrer!

    Rest easy Malcom
  11. WholeLottaNate
    Jan 22, 2020
    9
    Absolutely amazing. Production was spectacular, as well as his vocals. A wonderful send off to the late Mac Miller.
  12. Dfriedl2
    Jan 25, 2020
    10
    One of the best albums I’ve ever heard and at the moment is getting me through a rough time 10/10
  13. paije_breaks
    Feb 19, 2020
    8
    Posthumous records are often misguided money grabs or sound so far off from - from what we think - was the artist’s direction. Certainly not the case here - Circles felt pure and authentic.

    The album starts in an incredibly minimalistic& empty space. Each track is a progression out of that empty space with soft-spoken melodies to a layered, folk, Paul McCarthy inspired record. It sounds    Posthumous records are often misguided money grabs or sound so far off from - from what we think - was the artist’s direction. Certainly not the case here - Circles felt pure and authentic.

    The album starts in an incredibly minimalistic& empty space. Each track is a progression out of that empty space with soft-spoken melodies to a layered, folk, Paul McCarthy inspired record. It sounds like the soundtrack to the journey from depression to self-love and acceptance.

    I didn't really care for the album my first time through - I was just too thrown off by the sharp shift from Mac's usual sound. But once you accept that this is an indie-folk record and not a hip hop album, then you start to hear the blossoming effect.

    Circles in simple and soft, yet captivating and heavy.
    ---

    Or you could watch this review on my YT channel @paijebreaks    … Expand
  14. RegenT_A_1300
    May 5, 2023
    10
    words don't describe how good this album is, the greatest album of all time.
  15. Lucas_Santos
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Circles is the most beautiful album by Mac Miller. It's a piece of art. The production is so beautiful and mac should be proud in the heaven.
  16. neighel1
    Jan 22, 2020
    8
    Great send-off to an immaculate talent that will be sorely missed. Circles provide sweet and mellow tracks that a very in line with Mac's previous projects.

    Instead of a pure hip-hop album, Mac shares a more chill vibe with slower cuts like the opening track. And with this album representing the work that was to come from Mac, it is a real tragedy to listen to knowing he was only going    Great send-off to an immaculate talent that will be sorely missed. Circles provide sweet and mellow tracks that a very in line with Mac's previous projects.

    Instead of a pure hip-hop album, Mac shares a more chill vibe with slower cuts like the opening track. And with this album representing the work that was to come from Mac, it is a real tragedy to listen to knowing he was only going to improve and his skills.    … Expand
  17. lordmalcher
    Jan 17, 2020
    5
    A little bit plain and boring for my taste. The divine feminine and swimming were better.
  18. dubsv
    Mar 8, 2020
    0
    R.I.P. mac but this album still sucks awful it shouldn't b considered hip hop its dumb as f
  19. Thgst3
    Jan 23, 2020
    1
    I mean it's hard to put into words how bad this album is. I guess people are just being nice because the dude died....but this album is not good at all.
  20. Guidofawkes
    Jan 22, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My review doesn't have any spoilers. But the album is straight wack. "Music to be murdered by" is a gem… Expand
  21. Goonjan
    Jan 23, 2020
    1
    His worst album.. lyrics are not good at all..its not mac miller.. production is rough
  22. a_sebastian
    Jan 23, 2020
    1
    Who the **** is working on those reviews?!
    Are these guys working from a retirement home or wtf?
    Any time some body goes out with a boring record to death, with some existential birdshoot, it gets 80 or more. Just go hang yourself on the nearest tree ffs!
  23. YokaiChallenger
    Jan 17, 2020
    3
    Due to a large majority of the songs consisting of Mac doing more singing than rapping, It comes off as more of a folk/R&B album with production that's almost lo-fi like. Lots of acoustic guitars and minimalistic beats. The music is very intimate with Mac really pouring out his emotons in a lot of the tracks. But man, it's hard to get through...Not a bad album by any means but It's aDue to a large majority of the songs consisting of Mac doing more singing than rapping, It comes off as more of a folk/R&B album with production that's almost lo-fi like. Lots of acoustic guitars and minimalistic beats. The music is very intimate with Mac really pouring out his emotons in a lot of the tracks. But man, it's hard to get through...Not a bad album by any means but It's a little on the boring side for me personally.… Expand
  24. Totie12
    Jan 22, 2020
    0
    Very bad album method and bust up songs are just finished with this album that is probably not his best
  25. YannisMaraj
    Jan 17, 2020
    0
    I do not like it when somebody dies but they continue to release album which even NOT GOOD. You guys have to let fans have good memories of the artist.
  26. Rtoon
    Jan 22, 2020
    0
    What a horrible situation for mac this is the worst album I've ever heard in my life
  27. IndianaParkWars
    Dec 10, 2020
    0
    9/12

    This album is very relaxing and calm. It feels exhausted. It feels posthumous. RIP Mac Miller. You were a beautiful artist. We hear the depression in your voice. "Good News" is the key song here and means so much more coming out this year. We all need and want to hear good news. Everything is going wrong. I also listened to the deluxe version and couldn't miss the unmistakable    9/12

    This album is very relaxing and calm. It feels exhausted. It feels posthumous. RIP Mac Miller. You were a beautiful artist. We hear the depression in your voice.
    "Good News" is the key song here and means so much more coming out this year. We all need and want to hear good news. Everything is going wrong.
    I also listened to the deluxe version and couldn't miss the unmistakable bass riffing of Thundercat. Happy to hear that legend on the album.
    The only problem with the album is that it all blends together and is a bit forgettable. But, that also compliments the chill vibe of album and serves as a great album to put on in the background or as something to just relax to.

    ALBUM ARTWORK: I love this cover. It's a beautiful and depressing portrait of Miller in monochrome. The photograph is iconic and memorable as it is. But, the doubled overlay makes the cover seem so much more concerned and confused and absent from the world. Just as he is absent from the world literally, the feeling of the music is out-of-body. Like we're chilling on a cloud or floating around like the low-opacity Miller on the cover. With the same spiritual theme, even though he's gone, it goes to show he lives inside us and still exists in spirit.
    Artwork rating: 11.5/12    … Expand
  28. Connorcox1997
    Jan 24, 2020
    10
    Mac Miller's posthumously album Circles is a masterpiece. Listening to Circles makes me feel how we all missed Mac Miller. I the production is a work of art. I Love this album.
  29. TomHutchcraft
    Jan 21, 2020
    5
    A much inferior album compared to its predecessor, 'Swimming', This album fails to live up to questionably high critical reviews. Parts of this album are very easy listening, and there are some enjoyable tracks. However, it lacks some originality when compared to previous efforts, and the sound of the modern industry.
  30. Ebi_2000
    Jan 22, 2020
    4
    Rest in peace to mac but lets agree all the high reviews are because of his death and if he wasnt dead it wouldnt get even 60 to be honest
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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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