Watching Movies with the Sound Off

Watching Movies with the Sound Off is the second studio album by Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, released June 18, 2013. The album is known for its experimental and psychedelic sounds and influence, Mac’s much-improved lyricism, and being more introspective and personal than his previous works (which were being heavily associated with the “frat rap” genre at the time).

Production on the album was largely handled by Mac under his producer pseudonym, Larry Fisherman. The album also features prominent producers such as Pharrell Williams, The Alchemist, Clams Casino, Flying Lotus, Diplo, and more.

The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Mac Miller as one of the most promising young rappers in the music industry.

Some of the main themes explored on the album include:

• Drug use:
  Mac struggled with a career-long drug addiction; he was heavily abusing lean at the time as well as getting into harder drugs such as cocaine.

• Mental health:
  Mac suffered from anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts for a long time, and this is apparent more than ever on WMWTSO.

• Relationships:
  Mac’s stressed relationships with his family, friends, and romantic partners are also explored on the album.

• Birds:
  Believe it or not, birds are one of the prominent themes of the album. You can hear various bird calls and chirps throughout the album; artwork inside the physical albums has birds featured prominently; track names including “Avian” and “Bird Call”; one of Mac’s favorite movies at the time that he cites as an influence for the album is Birds of the Gods.