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Swimming
by
Swimming Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 225 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for the Pittsburgh rapper features guest appearances from Dām-Funk, Dicaprio, Dev Hynes, Snoop Dogg, Syd, and Thundercat.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. The 405
    Aug 3, 2018
    90
    Whatever headspace produced Swimming, it captures this perfectly.
  2. Variety
    Aug 3, 2018
    86
    It’s in Miller’s melodious baritone, stark mantra flow that Swimming is most effective--a simple, stately, poetic autobiography.
  3. XXL
    Aug 9, 2018
    80
    Swimming merges enlightening, candid rhymes over funky beats, providing a transparent look at how Mac Miller hit a personal rock bottom and his vigorous climb to save himself.
  4. Pitchfork
    Aug 3, 2018
    75
    Swimming is less virtuosic than those artists’ [Chance the Rapper, Anderson.Paak and Frank Ocean] recent works, but no less heartfelt, and the album’s wistful soul and warm funk fits Miller like his oldest, coziest hoodie.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Aug 3, 2018
    75
    Miller sounds great when he’s whining, croaking, stretching syllables like warm mozzarella. Swimming’s spare, dreamy production allows him to do a lot of that.
  6. Exclaim
    Aug 9, 2018
    70
    Whether Miller is singing on those funk-inflected highlights, or rapping on them with a flow that's airtight to their irresistible rhythms, he sounds like a would-be chart-topper, not to mention one of the most versatile and accomplished hip-hop artists working today. He also clearly has pop chops to rival those of his former flame.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 6, 2018
    60
    Most tracks float by in a pleasant if unremarkable funk-lite haze, but there’s an overall sense of Miller being older, wiser and more at peace than before.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 46
  3. Negative: 2 out of 46
  1. Kahlil007
    Aug 4, 2018
    10
    Mac has come so far since Blue Side Park, the album that nearly destroyed his career.
    This album is the perfect combination of everything he    Mac has come so far since Blue Side Park, the album that nearly destroyed his career.
    This album is the perfect combination of everything he learned from GOOD A:M and Divine Feminine.
    And a result of everything he's been through.
    Beautiful album near perfect 9/10 imo    … Expand
  2. LasseLong
    May 16, 2022
    10
    It manages to be both extremely sad and extremely fun without one taking away from the other.
  4. rextree
    Feb 19, 2019
    10
    Even with death aside, this album is a masterpiece and important in today's society. The way he tackles on his mental health through music isEven with death aside, this album is a masterpiece and important in today's society. The way he tackles on his mental health through music is something that anyone going through the same can appreciate.… Expand
  5. cvillalvazo
    Sep 30, 2018
    10
    Amazing album, it's crazy to see how much Mac grew as an artist from his Mixtape day to this (Swimming), it's a shame Mac had to go right asAmazing album, it's crazy to see how much Mac grew as an artist from his Mixtape day to this (Swimming), it's a shame Mac had to go right as he was hitting his musical prime but he bowed out with a potential award winning album… Expand
  6. jacobfurness
    Sep 29, 2019
    9
    A beautiful album the entire way through, Mac clearly focused more on making great music than just rapping on this project and it showed.A beautiful album the entire way through, Mac clearly focused more on making great music than just rapping on this project and it showed. While the rapping was great, the production is what ties this entire album together.… Expand
  7. threadersjoke
    Aug 7, 2018
    9
    Mac Miller delivers a much more focused effort than usual. There is a good sense of progression from song to song. He plays with elements fromMac Miller delivers a much more focused effort than usual. There is a good sense of progression from song to song. He plays with elements from previous projects but each song sounds fresh and unique. While he was once known for having some cheesy lyrics, he has developed his talents in this department considerably. Drugs don't dominate the conversation as they have in the past (not that they aren't mentioned), there are moments of honesty and self-reflection. I do think 2009 should have been the last track, it felt like such a good bookend to the album.… Expand
  8. KanyeStan
    Apr 27, 2020
    0
    His rapping is mediocre, his singing is awful as usual, the production is meh. There’s nothing here to redeem it besides emotional connection.

See all 46 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2018
37
#37 Most Shared Album of 2018

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