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Mac Miller fans finally got the first taste of the rapper's upcoming posthumous album, Balloonerism, after his estate revealed the LP's official lead single, 5 Dollar Pony Rides.
The record was released on streaming platforms on Friday, January 10, 2025, via his estate, under an exclusive license to Warner Records Inc. The record, 5 Dollar Pony Rides arrives a week before the late rapper's second posthumous album is scheduled to hit streaming platforms.
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Mac's Balloonerism is scheduled to be delivered to streaming platforms on January 17, 2025, officially following up on 2020's Circles, which debuted at No.3 on Billboard 200.
Bar-For-Bar: Breaking down Mac Miller's lead single 5 Dollar Pony Rides
Mac Miller's new record, 5 Dollar Pony Rides, is an extremely self-reflective record where the late rapper examines the complexity of past relationships.
Teaming up with longtime friend and producer, Thundercat, known for his eccentric production and jazzy basslines, the duo delivers a highly emotional lead single drawing listeners into the various ideas that would be explored on Mac Miller's long-lost album.
Interestingly, the title of Mac's lead single delves deeper into the metaphorical messaging of the song, which explores fleeting pleasures and themes of nostalgia, frustration, loneliness, connections, and comfort.
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
(Verse 1)
"Said, it ain't about money / I could show you the world, girl / What can you do for me? / We can take a vacation, go somewhere in the country / Turn the radio on, hear my song sayin' (Woah, oh, oh) / My favorite song sayin' (Woah, oh, oh)"
Mac Miller opens on 5 Dollar Pony Rides speaking to his love interest, where he seemingly challenges societal norms as he appears to avoid materialism to prioritize meaningful experiences.
"She don't know she slept through the future / Missed it, it was yesterday / So we (We) right (Right) back where we started / She still tryna get away (Get away) / Girl, you wastin' my time (Time) / And I am wastin' your time / But that's okay (Woah, oh, oh) / I said, it's okay (Woah, oh, oh, oh)"
Delivering lines that look back on his 2011 single Missed Calls, Mac Miller highlights the various struggles in his relationship, citing the impact of important moments being forgotten or slept through.
The emotional weight of not being present during their relationship leads Mac into 5 Dollar Pony Rides' entertaining jazz-infused hook.
(Chorus)
"Let me give you what you want (Need), ooh / And maybe later, what you need (Need), yeah / I remember, girl, you used to have fun (Need), yeah / Now I ain't seen a smile in a while / Heard you're feelin' pretty lonely (Need), yeah / Your daddy shoulda got you that pony / Let me give you what you want"
On the song's hook, Mac appears to highlight his willingness to cater to all of his partner's desires, offering immediate resolution to all her wants and needs with an emotional vocal performance that seamlessly blends into the record's impactful production.
(Verse 2)
"Killin' yourself like this / Goin' crazy, keepin' all of these secrets / How is that livin'? (Livin', livin') / Every time I reminisce, I keep thinkin' it was better then / I remember when we made (Made) out (Out) underneath the rain clouds"
Mac Miller introduces the second verse, highlighting the emotional weight withheld secrets have had on his relationship. He appears to reminisce on his love life, as it seemingly falls apart, in an attempt to rejoice in the good times they spent together.
"Stay (Stay) out (Out) late, I wanna lay down / Break (Break) ground (Ground), then you tell me (Woah, oh, oh) / Woah, oh, woah, oh (Woah, oh) / We could be okay, don't know for sure (She don't, she don't, she don't know)"
With supported ad-libs and harmonies, Mac explains the distance being created between him and his partner, as they both seem to be absorbed by their separate lifestyles.
"Just familiar numbers hammered to your door / You left home right away (Right away) / 'Cause your life is like night and day (Night and day) /You keep goin', goin', goin' back and forth"
Mac Miller closes out his second verse by speaking on the inevitability of past occurrences and connections, which he symbolizes as "familiar numbers," in lines that appear to deal with their issues of confrontation.
Mac Miller's 5 Dollar Pony Rides closes out with a harmonious outro, leaving listeners wanting more from the late rapper, whose emotional performance effectively builds anticipation for his upcoming posthumous album.
Mac's Balloonerism will hit streaming platforms this Friday hosting 14 full-length records with guest appearances from SZA and Delusional Thomas.
