The Mack is back.

In a highly anticipated release since breaking out with a platinum album including songs like “Can’t Hold Us” and “Thrift Shop” that have an insane amount of views on YouTube, many were wondering if Seattle rapper Ben Haggerty, aka Macklemore, and his buddy and beat maker Ryan Lewis would be able to follow it up.

With single releases over the course of many months “Growing Up,” “Downtown,” “Kevin” and “White Privilege II,” listeners were given a taste of what was to come for the rest of the 15-song track list for “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made.”

Many of the songs are comparable to those from his previous album. Macklemore shows his fun and wacky side with songs like “Let’s Eat,” “Brad Pitt’s Cousin,” “Dance Off” and “ Spoons.” “White Walls” and “And We Danced” are reminiscent of “Castle” from Macklemore’s last release. But he also shows his ability to touch on serious topics, like addiction to prescription drugs, with Leon Bridges killing it on the chorus in the track “Kevin.” It is pure genius.

There have been many controversial debates about “White Privilege II” and Macklemore’s place in speaking on #BlackLivesMatter but one thing is for certain, the man can make some art. That is what this eight-minute track is.

Another thing about this album is the range of people featured. Ranging from currently every woman’s crush, Ed Sheeran, on “Growing Up” where Mackelmore speaks on how it feels to become a new dad to Chance The Rapper on “Need to Know,” which might be the most underrated track on the playlist. And who could forget the British actor Idris Elba who brings out his deep voice in “Dance Off” showing he may be the best hype man for a dance battle ever.

With sophomore albums, the criticism of the ability to come up with new material is often heard. But Macklemore shows his experience by touching on new topics and also letting us into the mind of what he went through in his ventures. Even the song that kicks the album off goes into what he was thinking on the night he won the grammy for Best Rap Album in 2014, with “Light Tunnels.”

Spoiler: He was shocked too.

This album has been a long time coming after “The Heist” fans have been begging for more. Though it may have taken longer than expected with Macklemore relapsing once again then having to distance himself from everything by setting up in a cabin up in the Northwestern Wilderness, but all that time in the middle of nowhere certainly paid off.

Looking at it all, as the title goes, it is kind of is a mess. The range of emotions is all over the place. There really is no flow to the album. But does that make it bad? Not at all. An excerpt from the note he left for anyone that buys the Deluxe Edition puts it best, saying, “Music was intended to be the one thing we can rely on to disrupt the norm…If you aren’t scared of what you’ve created, you aren’t done yet.”

Though not celebrated by everyone whp enjoys rap music, those who previously enjoyed the music from the mind of Ben Haggerty will enjoy this.

Rating: 4 out of 5