The Death Of Slim Shady

After a few listens, I've gotta say, this might be Eminem's best album since like 2013's Marshall Mathers LP 2. Not that it's saying much 'cause Revival was a letdown, Kamikaze was so-so, and MTBMB had its ups and downs. But in this phase of "bearded Em," this one really stands out. What's cool about it is how Eminem handles all the controversial stuff—he's totally cool with LGBTQ+ rights and people doing their thing, which adds some depth to his jokes. Although, he does go a bit overboard with the midget and Caitlyn Jenner jokes, which can get old quick. The album's setup is interesting too. It flips between two sides until "Guilty Conscience 2": Slim Shady pushing boundaries and Marshall dealing with the fallout. It adds layers, especially when it gets more introspective after Slim's "demise." Let's dive into the tracks: "Renaissance" kicks things off strong with that classic Eminem vibe and some solid beats. "Habits" hooks you with White Gold's chorus and Eminem's slick flows, even if the Caitlyn Jenner and midget jokes can feel a bit much. "Trouble" dives deep into controversy for shock value, but it lacks the nuance of other tracks. "Brand New Dance" brings back echoes of old Eminem, mixing nostalgia with a fresh beat. "Evil" keeps it classic Eminem, with strong production and throwback choruses. "Lucifer" gets dark and horrorcore, throwing back to his earlier tracks and taking jabs at his own legacy. "Antichrist" is quirky and experimental, like something out of Family Guy, showing off Eminem's playful side. "Fuel" stands out with clever wordplay and a strong vibe, featuring JID. "Road Rage," though, feels forgettable, with repetitive themes and uninspired choruses. "Houdini" serves up a catchy lead single vibe, even if some lines feel a bit forced. "Guilty Conscience 2" steals the show with Eminem and Slim Shady going head-to-head in a mature, self-aware narrative. "Head Honcho" features Ez Mil holding his own, though Eminem's verse could've hit harder. "Temporary" hits you in the feels with Skylar Grey and Eminem getting deep, even if the flow's a bit choppy. "Bad One" kinda slips by without leaving much of an impression. "Tobey" grows on you, especially within the album's flow, with solid verses and playful nods. "Somebody Save Me" wraps things up on a serious note, reminiscent of Eminem's deeper tracks, despite a few flow hiccups. Overall, while it's not Eminem's peak, this album shows off his trademark wit and lyrical chops, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of his earlier stuff.

EMINEM - THE DEATH OF SLIM SHADY
RATING - 6.4/10

FAVORITE TRACKS - Tobey, Fuel

GENRE - Hip-Hop, Rap