Faces
| Mac Miller
Faces
Faces is the eleventh mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was independently released for free download on May 11, 2014. The mixtape is the follow-up to Miller's second studio album Watching Movies with the Sound Off (2013), and is considered by many to be his magnum opus for its dark and personal exploration of Miller's struggle with drug addiction. On October 15, 2021, Faces was commercially released on streaming platforms and vinyl. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Pitchfork
Faces finds Mac Miller embracing a typical 2010s rapper trope: the exploratory between-album mixtape. Over an hour and a half, he advances on his last LP's heady sprawl with a palette stretching from rainy day introspection to playful wordplay exercises.
-
Medium
There are very few albums in hip-hop that cover drug addiction, and the negative/emotional side of it as well as this. If you are new to Mac Miller’s music, Faces should be the first project to listen to. It showcases Mac’s production style and storytelling perfectly and acts as a great segway into his other albums.
-
The Spectrum
95% of Mac fans haven’t heard this, which goes to show how much of a hidden gem this mixtape has been. Those that haven’t heard this before are in for a real treat, as it’s widely regarded as one of his best, if not his best project released. Three years removed from Mac’s death; this release is yet another milestone cemented in the artist’s legacy.
-
Ratings Game Music
In my opinion, It’s Mac’s best project and his most underrated body of work. It’s the album where Mac “prophesized” his death. What also can be said is Mac was the most alive on this album. Correction: Mac found his freedom in Faces.
-
The Reflector
For those who haven’t heard the cult classic Faces, the album is an honest interpretation on themes of psychosis and substance abuse. His open conversation on death seems eerie now, but the album is a perfect blend of all his best works. Whether you’re a new or old fan of Mac Miller Faces has something for everyone.
-
The Hawk Newspaper
I had always heard great things, but this mixtape is a great display of his talent. Nostalgic, upbeat and unique, with great production and excellent flow and delivery, “Faces” reminds old fans of Miller’s unforgettable music while allowing newer fans to experience that same magic for the first time.
-
Edinboro Now
Mac Miller’s album “Faces” is a detailed account of the rapper following a clear-cut path of self-destruction. Between his declining mental health, his loneliness and struggle with drugs and alcohol, the rapper seemed to be calling for help. It is an eerie prediction of the rapper’s fate, and a heart-wrenching look into the struggles he had in the years before his early death.
-
Sputnik Music
The honesty throughout is startling, and it's obvious that Miller lives and breathes to create this music. The drugs and fair-weather friends are just stand-ins until the beat comes in. With beats as good as the one on "Apparitions", I can't say that I blame him. In a world full of disingenuous people, drug addiction, and incisive critics, Miller turns his mind inward and creates a truly original mixtape.
-
Hot New HipHop
In the end, I won't fault Mac for over-stuffing the release, especially when it's all quality material, but there's no denying the power of a more concise product. Faces is a must-download. Mac has grown in ways that no one could have possibly predicted back in the "Knock Knock" days. Expect big things from his third studio album.
-
PopMatters
Mac Miller continues on his path following money, fame, drugs and alcohol, while writing some clever, craftily worded lyrics along the way.
-
Hardwood and Hollywood
This is Mac Miller’s magnum opus in my opinion, and has some of my favorite Miller songs of all time, like “Friends” and “Diablo.” Mac Miller’s legacy is tremendous, and this mixtape showcases how much of a generational talent he was.
-
BasketRap
Faces is a largely chilled-out album that has more highs than lows and represents Mac’s psychedelic and drug-addiction struggles very well. It is uniquely exciting with the production choices for the most part, and there are only a couple of lackluster tracks. Definitely a solid project.
-
AllMusic
The beats, energized and bleary only when Miller's self-praise and most addled moments call for it, tend to sound crafted for the sake of alleviating anxiety.
-
The Skier Scribbler
All around “Faces” is an awesome album and is worth listening to.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments