Mac Miller is the writer, and Watching Movies with the Sound Off is his diary.
Released in 2013, Miller’s sophomore album delves deep into the MC’s mind, uncovering his struggles with fame, addiction and love.
From prescription painkillers, to the infamous cocktail known as lean, he raps about attempting to fight off his dependance on said substances, though he explains that he knew about the dangers they hold.
Through calculated, hard-hitting bars, Miller effortlessly flows over every beat, as though he could do it in his sleep.. Fitting that on the second track, “Avian”, he raps “Feel like I do this in my sleep/Literally, I do this in my sleep.”
The 19-track project features diverse instrumentals with a wide variety of sounds, demonstrating Miller’s affinity for musical creativity. From the spacey piano and string duo on “Avian” produced by the rapper himself, to the classic boom-bap beat on “Red Dot Music,” Watching Movies with the Sound Off is far from a predictable hip hop tape.
While Miller undoubtedly gave so much to hip-hop, we must appreciate our favourite artists while they are still here, creating music for us all.
R.I.P. Mac Miller
9/10
Trial Track: “Avian”