Eminem releases his 2nd surprise album in a row after his 2018's 'Kamikaze, a redeeming/hopeful piece of artwork which is a somewhat follow up from his critically acclaimed disappointing album 'Revival' in 2017. This is his 11th studio album, including a mixture of features ranging from the cheat code (Anderson Paak and Skylar Grey) to some of the best lyricists in Hip-Hop to one of the best Pop singers of the 2010's. But also surprise features which can be perhaps hypocritical? After dissing the mainstream music but then including the artists on his album. Not something I'm a fan of. However i do like to see the variety as he also includes alot of solo songs. Since he knows he is the face of Hip-Hop and this album will be as mainstream as they get, he has to include everything to fit satisfactory. Before I talk about the tracks i want to say, Eminem will always deliver lyrically. His skill and technique is just unbelievably good however it's everything surrounding that where people tend to complain.
Em starts exactly where he left off from the last album, slamming the critics who panned Kamikaze which he also started off by slamming the critics who panned Revival. He still sounds just as angry with a point prove, mentioning why does he still get no respect after 20 plus years at the top of the game and even on his worst records racking up stupid amount of sales which can't be compared to. Facts after facts, even relating himself to Jay-Z and 2 Chainz, not dissing them, why don't they get respect as well. We've become comfortable with this style of Em recently, flexing and throwing punches but he says he's bored and wants a serious subject matter. The intro for me is perfect but only if he follows up with 'serious subject matter'. Have a final say on a smooth multi-syllable rhyming track. A track which will wake everyone up for the album.
The third track 'You Gon' Learn' is the turning point of the album. He teams up with Royce Da 5"9 who if you don't know is lyrically one of the best in the game. He takes Eminem to the next level every time they are in the studio together. I would go as far as to say these 2 together are the best writers in the game. From a rhyming and subject matter point of view its unheard of. The cleverness in crafting each line, wording it in such a surprising way and then to write it all within such a complex rhyme scheme... The late 90's style of Hip Hop. Possibly everyones favourite. But the rhymes itself on this track is an instrument. Royce starts off with one of the slickest lines I've heard in a while. Speaking about his resilience and how he grew up to be who he is today. But instead of just saying it like a simple speech. Royce includes a difficult tongue twister which just rolls of his tongue and sounds so good, smoothly riding the beat filling every bar and occasionally including the rhyme at the start of the bar and in the middle. Surprisingly this is one of the best hooks on the whole album as well. Nothing special but it displays it's purpose from 'White Gold'. The whole track is catchy from the hook to the production and then into Eminem's less complex rhyme scheme.
Tracks like 'In Too Deep', 'Farewell', 'Never Love Again' and 'Leaving Heaven' remind me alot of the Eminem we know. Focusing on his pure skill rather than getting distracted with making a mainstream record or trying to be as obnoxious as possible. The heavy bass and snair mixed with his powerful voice, the combination used many times but always works and what many of his recent records have been missing. But you can also see his progression as a rapper. This album as a whole reminds me alot of Relapse which i consider one of his best. Relapse was slated by the media but it was him sticking with the basics but progressing as a rapper and showing it off. The complex rhyme schemes, funny punch lines, bold production and chorus'. And throughout this album he does just that, but adding more depth to his songs, switching flows several times each verse which is complimented with the progressive production.
The mid point of an album tends to be when you get the hang of where the album is going. But not on this one. A massive surprise and when i saw the track list i was just trying to get to track number 10 as soon as possible. A line up of Royce, Black Thought and Q-Tip. You have got to be kidding me. And then the reliable Mr Porter on the production. It was inevitable this track was going to be amazing; boy was it. All these rappers are familiar of each other and started releasing music in the same era. Late Boombap and they created a new era themselves. So it was only the right thing to pay homage to the 90s. What better way to sample Busta Rhymes “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check". I must say this track is nothing special but it just has all the right ingredients. Catchy hook, amazing rhymes schemes, clever and funny lines, up beat boom bap style production. Almost identical to how Wu Tang created masterpieces. But dam that hook is one of the catchiest hooks i have heard in a long time.
Straight after we get another intro on the album so you could say the album is split into 2 segments. And this is a prequel to the track Stepdad which grew on me after a couple of listens but on the first listen i was cringing throughout the whole track. It felt like it would fit straight into 'Revival'. The next odd tracks deliver the same problem. Eminem needs to stop shouting and using corny chorus'. He knows he does it for fun and not because he thinks it's clever. But we are tired of it and the whole Revival album almost was the exact same. Also the production across these tracks sound like a mixture of a Kanye and DaBaby track. Not Eminem's style and often the style which he critiques.
However the album does pick itself back up again with 2 brilliant tracks being 'Lock It Up' and 'I Will'. Both, once again, i couldn't wait to finally listen to. Anderson Paak has been killing the industry and he's turned into a plaque himself, everything he touches turns to gold. Then on the other track you have Slaughterhouse without Joe Budden which is very questionable but i feel he is the weakest?...Slaughterhouse was a supergroup made to relive Hip-Hop and take their writing skill to the radio and charts. Although the odd tracks did do just that, the album itself didn't sell as much as intended. A huge dissapointment but there is no doubt on their individual brilliance. The track just consists of showboating, who has the better verse. A must listen if you enjoy that style of Hip-Hop.
Overall this album is difficult to put your finger on it. But Eminem knew what he had to do. Release a mix of everything, conceptual tracks, radio hits. Include a mix of genres. Touch on a wide variety of subjects. But most importantly let the fans hear who he is agian. I know for sure he wanted to show people he is the best. Not many people can consistently produce complex songs. Technically and from a skill stand point this is one of his best. Very similar to what Relapse was made for. It's a hit and miss record but if you like Eminem's music whether it is just one track or his whole discography, there is definitly a replay factor for alot of these songs. And that's what makes a great album usually. This obviously isn't one of his best pieces of work but i feel it's his best since Relapse.
Rating: 8
Fav Tracks: Yah Yah, Never Love Again, Leaving Heaven, You Gon' Learn, Farewell
