In the (tragically deep) world of posthumous music releases, Mac Miller’s estate stands in rare territory, abundantly protective over the artistic vision that the “Self Care” rapper so clearly defined during his life. It’s that relationship with the work he left behind that made the announcement of Balloonerism such a surprise, a many-years-later release of a project that Miller himself apparently had ideas of releasing, likely a record that would have hit shelves if not for records like Swimming or Circles that took precedence. With just under a week until the release of that Mac Miller LP, we’ve now got “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” both the lead and likely final single from Balloonerism.
“Killin’ yourself like this / Goin’ crazy, keepin’ all of these secrets / How is that livin’?” or “Heard you’re feelin’ pretty lonely / Your daddy shoulda got you that pony.” While the typically chipper Mac Miller delivery that underlines “5 Dollar Pony Rides” can disguise them, the song is really defined by these sorts of wistful, detached observations. As a whole, they call to mind when Mac Miller recounted similar things on later cuts like “Dunno” or “Wedding,” love songs in name only that are thin disguises over far more complicated relationships.
“5 Dollar Pony Rides” Redoubles
It almost goes without saying that things weren’t always rosy in the musical world of the Rostrum Records alum, but despite the sometimes somber thread that runs throughout this song, there’s a sweeter side as well. The “woah, oh” harmonies that he sets up diegetically in the first verse harken to his Larry Lovestein alter ego and eventually the romantic jazz rap he toyed with on “The Divine Feminine,” the latter showcasing this sound more fleshed out and carrying earnestly syrupy sentiments.
And of course, for Mac completionists or indie/jazz fans at large, there’s no mistaking the Thundercat bassline at work in the background the whole time. His dextrous work comes alongside contributions from his brother, Ronald Bruner Jr., an additional participant in the two-week-long jam session that eventually led to this Balloonerism material. Given that origin story, it’s certain that “5 Dollar Pony Rides” won’t be the last we hear from either of the siblings in this “new” Mac Miller era. But especially for those who have logged countless listens of Swimming or its NPR Tiny Desk performance, it’s another reminder of one of the rapper’s defining musical relationships.
Catch “5 Dollar Pony Rides” and brush up on the Mac Miller catalog wherever you stream your music. Balloonerism hits DSPs on January 17th.
Elsewhere in our coverage, the 2014 Forest Hills Drive – J Cole deluxe similarly taps into a bygone era for one of the genre’s defining talents.
