Album: GO:OD AM

On Mac’s third album, we see him delve into issues surrounding his sobriety (or lack thereof), tackling his depression, becoming a better person, and the pitfalls and superficial nature of fame. The latter of these topics, rather obviously, is something Miller grapples with on ‘Brand Name’, providing his take on the world’s obsession with socially desirable brands and the need to impress others.

“Everything we think we love
It ain’t nothing but a brand name
To everyone but us
It ain’t nothing but a brand name, nothing but a brand name
Ask her what she wearing, say it’s nothing but a brand name
Baby, this right here is hand made”

The chorus sees Miller contemplating just how big a part of society branding has become, illustrating its pervasion in popular culture. Both the song and the album is an exercise in Mac freeing himself from the shackles of commercialism inextricably linked with fame and celebrity, denouncing their hold on him (“I got brothers, I don’t need no friends, My shoes off I’m comfortable, I’m chilling, smoking weed again”) and finding his peace in simplicity.

“Went from the 412 out to the 310
Went from the pavement in my basement to them yellow brick roads”

Mac also touches on his journey, using the area codes from both his hometown of Pittsburgh (412) and his current residence in LA (310). He juxtaposes the difference in his surroundings by comparing his basement to ‘them yellow brick roads’, alluding to the his belief that the path he is on will ultimately end in his fulfilment.

‘Brand Name’ and indeed ‘GO:OD AM’ sees the emergence of a more self-aware, mature Miller, especially when compared with his two previous albums ‘Watching Movies with the Sound Off’ and ‘Blue Slide Park’. Lyrics like “I work harder than anybody you know, I’m done with tricks, don’t need no money to blow” show the focus he has on his craft, realising that money is merely a by-product of his hard work and not something to hang his hat on. The track itself features melancholic instrumentals (a feature of the album), paired with chilled, ambling kicks and snares, providing Mac a platform on which to switch up his flows on multiple occasions – something he does with ease. ‘Brand Name’ is a song i have constantly found myself returning to as it establishes a fresh but unmistakably-mac take on fame and its pitfalls, illustrating his versatility, growth, and perspective.