| The Divine Feminine (2LP)

2016 release from the rapper. The Devine Femenine is an album about women and for women. It features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, CeeLo Green, Anderson Paak and Ariana Grande, among others. Includes the singles 'Dang!' (produced by Pomo) and 'We' (produced by Frank Dukes). The album's first single, "Dang!" was released on July 28, 2016. The track features guest appearance from American recording artist Anderson Paak, with the production that was handled by Pomo. The album's second single, "We" was released on August 19, 2016. The track features guest appearance from American singer-songwriter CeeLo Green, with production that was handled by Frank Dukes and Kaan Gunesberk. The album's third single, "My Favorite Part" was released on September 9, 2016. The track features guest appearance from a fellow American recording artist Ariana Grande, with production that was handled by MusicManTy.

As a way to illustrate the sincerity implied in its title, The Divine Feminine begins and ends with the voices of women. Ariana Grande introduces Mac Miller's first Warner Bros. release, and in its conclusion, Miller's grandmother details with fondness the history of her relationship with her husband. In between the two tracks, to the point of compulsion, Miller frequently notes his aptitude in the bedroom and his insatiable appetite therein, or wherever else the mood strikes. Crass as it frequently is, the bulk of the album nonetheless has more to do with loving relationships than most releases from the manchild R&B classes of 2011-2016. Miller even sings a higher percentage of his words in his limited and sincere drawl, rhapsodizing "You just don't know how beautiful you are" on "My Favorite Part," a clean duet with new flame Grande that sounds like it could be an Anthony Hamilton cover. Miller's producers are in accordance with all the lovestruck sentiments. They outfit the songs with twirling strings, punching horns, and lively pianos, the last of which is provided by Robert Glasper on the woozy, Kendrick Lamar-assisted "God Is Fair, Sexy, Nasty." In the dazed but laser-focused ballad "Skin," there's a recurring impassioned saxophone line, and at one point it punctuates Miller's purr of "I open up your legs and go straight for your heart." The album's first half is highlighted by another Anderson Paak collaboration, "Dang!," a sharp hybrid of horn-flecked funk and spangly house. It's surpassed during the second half by the combination of "Soulmate," a sticky/slippery D?m-Funk production, and "We," a beatific mellow groove elevated by the harmonious voices of CeeLo Green and Thundercat. At all times, Miller and his associates are on the same page. Another aspect that makes this the rapper's most fulfilling album is that all the lines about being saved and in awe seem to be expressed with as much ease as the anatomical references, like they're plain facts, not wrenching confessions.

Tracklist

A1        Congratulations
A2        Dang!
A3        Stay
B1        Skin
B2        Cinderella
C1        Planet God Damn
C2        Soulmate
C3        We
D1        My Favorite Part
D2        God Is Fair, Sexy, Nasty

*Audio and/or tracklist may vary slightly from the vinyl version.

Label: ‎‎Warner Records
Rel. Date: 12/09/2016
UPC: 093624916031