Returning with his first new music since releasing ‘The Divine Feminine’ in 2016, Mac Miller drops not just one, but three new singles, including “Programs.”

“Clean the whiskers, seeking Mr. Fisherman / Back on my shit again, doin’ my own dance.” Mac Miller has returned for the first time since 2016, when he released his good, if uncharacteristic LP, The Divine Feminine.  It should be noted that the now 26-year old was dating Ariana Grande back then, and that particular relationship is no more.  But this isn’t about who is dating who – let’s keep it about Mac and the music. Often, when an artist reenters the building, the listener is only treated to one single.  Miller goes bigger, dropping three singles: “Programs,” “Buttons,” and “Small Worlds.”  We’ll start by examining “Programs.”

“Programs” sounds nothing like the music that graced The Divine Feminine.  As aforementioned, The Divine Feminine was a good album, but certainly not characteristic of Mac Miller.  If you prefer edgier, more unapologetic Mac, “Programs” will instantly appeal. Mac is definitely more in his wheelhouse here, rapping over a hard-nosed beat delivering agile, hard-nosed rhymes.  Besides the electrifying beat, Miller gets a nice string loop, which provides fuel for his fire: “Do my thing up on the strings like Tom Morello.”  In addition to being “back on my shit again,” he also gets a fairly decent hook out of it.

“Yeah, I’m only keepin’ good company

I am not talkin’ to you if you don’t have love for me (yeah)

Yeah, one for you and one for me (yeah, yeah)

I am not talkin’ to you if you don’t have love for me.”

Final Thoughts 

Question – will Mac Miller’s new “Programs” change your life? No, but as asserted above, this sounds like Miller being true to himself.  It’s well-produced and Mac definitely has the flow.  Not game changing, but respectable.

Mac Miller • Programs – Single • Warner Bros. • Release: 5.31.18

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.