Since his passing in 2018, Mac Miller has left a vast gap in the Hip Hop R&B genre. But despite his absence, he still manages to release soul-fulfilling tunes that keep his dedicated fans on their toes. His most recent release, “Faces,” was initially a mixtape released in 2014. The lyrically intricate and fan-favorite album is finally coming to streaming services and vinyl next month, but with a refreshing twist. 

While the mixtape itself has been released for seven years now, the project has not been available to listeners via physical or streaming formats. The mixtape was initially produced under Miller’s alias, Larry Fisherman, who was intended to represent a side of him that is “a completely nasty studio rat”, according to Hot New Hip Hop. The song, “Colors and shapes” is essentially describing Miller’s journey through an LSD trip, beginning with an opening intro from American Psychologist and writer Timothy Leary that was sampled from the 1966 documentary, “How to Go Out of Your Mind.” 

To add to the announcement of the record inching its way to streaming, Miller’s team recruited director Sam Mason to create a haunting experience via animated video to display the record. Enhancing the emotional effect of the video, Mason asked Millers’ family to send bits and pieces from his childhood, such as scenes from the town he grew up in, toys and objects. 

“In the abstract, it’s meant to be a video about childhood — growing up as an artist and the highs and lows of that experience. It’s sort of a look at the emotional and difficult and perilous but noble path of an artist,” said Mason. 

The animated music video’s main character is Miller’s childhood dog, Ralph, who begins the story surrounded by his childhood objects and in his childhood bed. The abstract aspect of the video follows Ralph through a third-person journey as we watch him interact with metaphorical characters represented through Miller’s lyrics and songs. The tracks turned into a visual for all to see and accurately allows the viewers to step into the song and experience a world of its own that it represents. 

Even though the accomplished artist passed away four years ago, he still continues to provide us with fulfilling music and make his mark on the world, for all fans to hear.