Mac DeMarco Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Diving into the laid-back world of Mac DeMarco's music is always a treat. His discography is a journey through jangle-pop, lo-fi charm, and moments of surprising sincerity.

But when it comes to the Mac DeMarco albums ranked, every fan has a different take. The debate over the best Mac DeMarco album is a constant in online forums and late-night discussions.

We're setting out to explore his studio releases, guided first by fan sentiment. This list reflects the albums that have resonated most deeply with his listeners.

Afterwards, we'll see how popularity data tells a different story.

Ranking Mac DeMarco's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. 2 (2012)

This is the debut studio album from the Canadian musician. It was recorded in June 2012 and released that October on Captured Tracks.

On 2, DeMarco moved away from the glam-rock elements of his earlier work. He adopted a more standard approach to guitar rock that would define his sound.

The album received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Reviewers praised DeMarco's songwriting and unique guitar work, cementing his place in the indie scene.

Key tracks:

• My Kind of Woman
• Freaking Out the Neighborhood

It’s no surprise that 2 takes the top spot in the fan ranking. This album is the quintessential Mac DeMarco experience for many listeners.

Its blend of catchy hooks, chorus-drenched guitar, and heartfelt lyrics created a blueprint that countless artists would follow. It's the record that introduced his signature "jizz jazz" sound to the world.

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2. Salad Days (2014)

Salad Days is Mac DeMarco's second studio album, released in April 2014. It was created in his Brooklyn apartment following an extensive period of touring.

The album reflects a sense of weariness from being on the road. DeMarco aimed to write a more personal record than its predecessor, exploring his own experiences and feelings.

The album was a critical success, debuting at number 30 on the Billboard 200. It spawned two popular singles, "Passing Out Pieces" and "Brother."

Key tracks:

• Chamber Of Reflection
• Salad Days

Coming in at a very close second, Salad Days is often part of the "best album" debate right alongside 2. It showed a clear maturation in his sound and songwriting.

Fans appreciate the slightly more polished production and the deeper, more introspective lyrical themes. It’s the sound of an artist growing up in public, and it resonated deeply.

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3. This Old Dog (2017)

Released in 2017, This Old Dog is the third studio album from DeMarco. He recorded it after moving from Queens, New York, to a new house in Los Angeles.

The album's creation was a slower process. DeMarco wrote the songs and then let them sit for a while, allowing him to get to know them on a deeper level.

This release saw DeMarco lean more heavily on acoustic guitar and synthesizers. The result is a more contemplative and refined sound.

Key tracks:

• For the First Time
• Moonlight on the River

This Old Dog holds a special place for many fans. It represents a significant evolution in Mac's musical palette.

The shift towards a more acoustic, synth-layered sound was a bold move that paid off. It's often seen as his most mature and emotionally direct work, earning its high ranking among the fan base.

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4. Another One (2015)

Another One is a mini-LP released in August 2015. It was recorded by DeMarco in his home in Far Rockaway, Queens, between tour dates.

DeMarco described the record as a concept album about love in its various forms. The songs were written and recorded very quickly, capturing a raw and immediate feeling.

The final track, "My House by the Water," famously ends with DeMarco reciting his home address and inviting listeners over for coffee.

Key tracks:

• No Other Heart
• Another One

This mini-album is a fan favorite for its concise and charming collection of love songs. It feels like a warm, intimate snapshot of a specific time and place.

While not a full-length studio album, its quality and heartfelt nature secure it a strong position. It's a perfect distillation of what makes his music so appealing.

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5. Some Other Ones (2015)

This is a completely instrumental album released by Mac DeMarco. He described it himself as a "BBQ soundtrack."

The project showcases his signature laid-back, "slacker rock" style. It provides a purely musical experience without lyrical guidance.

Initially released for free, it highlights his melodic sensibilities and knack for creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Key tracks:

• Don Juan
• Special K

Some Other Ones is a bit of a cult classic. Its placement here shows that fans appreciate the pure vibe of Mac's instrumental work.

It's not as central to his discography as the main studio albums, but it serves as perfect background music and a testament to his compositional skills.

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6. Rock and Roll Night Club (2012)

Released in early 2012, this mini-LP was Mac DeMarco's first release under his own name with the Captured Tracks record label.

The album was recorded on a four-track and features a distinct sound. It includes skits and slowed-down vocals, creating a hazy, glam-rock persona.

This release impressed the label enough to finance a full-length follow-up album, which would become 2 later that year.

Key tracks:

• She's Really All I Need
• Only You

This record is a fascinating look at an early, more eccentric version of Mac DeMarco. It's a bit of an outlier in his discography.

While fans appreciate it for its creativity and historical importance, its weirder, lo-fi sound makes it less accessible than the albums that followed, explaining its position in the ranking.

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7. One Wayne G (2023)

One Wayne G is a massive compilation album that Mac DeMarco surprise-released in April 2023. It consists of 199 tracks recorded between 2018 and early 2023.

The collection lasts nearly nine hours, making it an unprecedentedly large project. Most tracks are instrumental sketches or demos, with only 18 having full titles and lyrics.

The album's title is a clever nod to Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who wore number 99.

Key tracks:

• 20191009 I Like Her
• 20201203

This release is less of a traditional album and more of a creative archive. Fans see it as a fascinating peek into Mac's process rather than a cohesive listening experience.

Its sprawling nature and demo-like quality mean it doesn't compete with the structured studio albums, but it is treasured as a generous gift to his dedicated followers.

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8. Five Easy Hot Dogs (2023)

This is Mac DeMarco's fifth studio album. It's an entirely instrumental project that was recorded during a road trip from Los Angeles to New York.

Each track is named after the city where it was recorded, creating a sonic travelogue of his journey across North America.

The album represents a significant departure from his vocal-led work. It focuses purely on melody, atmosphere, and the feeling of being on the move.

Key tracks:

• Gualala
• Portland

As a fully instrumental album, Five Easy Hot Dogs naturally appeals to a more specific subset of fans. It's a calming and meditative listen.

However, the absence of his signature vocals and lyricism means it doesn't connect with the broader fanbase in the same way his classic albums do.

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9. Here Comes The Cowboy (2019)

Here Comes The Cowboy is Mac DeMarco's fourth studio album, released in 2019. It was the first release on his own record label, Mac's Record Label.

The album is known for its stark, minimalist production. It features a slower pace and a more meditative, stripped-back sound compared to his earlier work.

Upon its release, the album received polarized reviews from both critics and fans. However, the track "Heart to Heart" later became a viral success.

Key tracks:

• Heart To Heart
• Preoccupied

This album is arguably the most divisive in Mac's catalog. Its minimalist and repetitive nature was a departure that didn't land with all of his listeners.

While some fans defend its meditative quality, many found it to be underwhelming compared to the melodic richness of his previous records, placing it lower in the overall fan ranking.

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10. Guitar (2025)

Guitar is the sixth studio album by Mac DeMarco, released in August 2025. It followed a period of speculation about his potential retirement from music.

DeMarco has described the album as a "close representation" of where he is in his life today. The entire project was written and recorded in his Los Angeles home studio in late 2024.

Several singles were released ahead of the album, including "Home," "Holy," and "Phantom," signaling a return to his classic songwriting style.

Key tracks:

• Shining
• Sweeter

As the newest album, Guitar's fan ranking is based purely on anticipation and the reception of its lead singles.

It holds a place of hopeful excitement. Fans are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds, but it has yet to build the deep, nostalgic connection that defines the top-ranked classics.

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Picked your top Mac DeMarco classic? Check out Mac DeMarco's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Mac DeMarco albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Mac DeMarco's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	This Old Dog	2017
2	2	2012
3	Salad Days	2014
4	Here Comes The Cowboy	2019
5	Another One	2015
6	One Wayne G	2023
7	Some Other Ones	2015
8	Rock and Roll Night Club	2012
9	Five Easy Hot Dogs	2023
10	Guitar	2025

Quick FAQs about Mac DeMarco's albums

Q: What inspired the album cover for Mac DeMarco's 2?

A: DeMarco has stated he was inspired by the album art for Haruomi Hosono's Hosono House. He also noted its coincidental similarity to Bruce Springsteen's The River.

Q: What is the song "Ode to Viceroy" about?

A: The song is a tribute to Mac DeMarco's favorite brand of cigarettes. Lyrically, the album 2 often explores themes of growing up, love, and family secrets.

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So there you have it – a look at Mac DeMarco's albums ranked.

We've considered both the passionate insights of fans and current popularity trends. It's clear that his early work holds a foundational place in the hearts of listeners.

Ultimately, the "best" Mac DeMarco album often comes down to personal connection. The moments those songs soundtrack in our lives are what matter most.

What does your personal ranking of Mac DeMarco's albums look like?