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Mac Miller’s posthumous new album ‘Balloonerism’ to be accompanied by short film

By Tom Skinner Jan 14, 2025 | 3:58 AM

Mac Miller‘s upcoming new album ‘Balloonerism’ will be accompanied by a short film. Find all the details below.

The late rapper’s second posthumous record is due for release this Friday (January 17), following on from 2020’s ‘Circles’. It’ll feature SZA on the song ‘DJ’s Chord Organ’ – see the full tracklist here.

There’ll also be a rare appearance from Miller’s alter-ego Delusional Thomas on  ‘Transformations’. The imminent LP has already been previewed by the single ‘5 Dollar Pony Rides’.

Now, it has been revealed that an animated short film – also titled Balloonerism – will be screened in the US for “one night only” tomorrow (Wednesday January 15) ahead of international showings on Thursday (16).

Fans will be able to watch the Samuel Jerome Mason-directed film at cinemas in London, Dublin, Paris, New York, and Miller’s native Pittsburgh. Other screenings are scheduled for Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney and Toronto.

According to an official synopsis, Balloonerism “follows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world”. It adds: “Swallowed by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood.”

Tickets to watch the film cost $5 (or the “approximate equivalent in ex-US markets”), in reference to Miller’s single ‘5 Dollar Pony Rides’. The London showing will be held at Aures under Waterloo Station. Find more information and buy tickets here.

Check out the announcement post above.

The ‘Balloonerism’ album dates back to 2013. Upon announcing its 2025 release, the artist’s estate said: “It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm – to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately ‘GO:OD AM’ [2015] and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.”

They continued: “We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing ‘Balloonerism’ was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world.”

In a four-star review of ‘Circles’, NME described the album as “a very conflicting listen”, adding: “It’s a high-quality project, but we lost Mac way too soon, and that’s hard to accept.

“So while it’s hard to listen to him talking about self-deterioration and how he spends far too much time in his own head, it’s a privilege to hear him share his innermost thoughts over a bed of sweeping, inventive sonics. This is the album Mac Miller was born to make.”

Miller died in 2018 following an accidental overdose. He was 26 years old.

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