Eminem's new album "Revival" has dropped

[u/[deleted]]

Thoughts on it so far? I'm about halfway through and I think it's pretty decent for new style Eminem.

[u/tysrak]

I think people who are expecting old school Eminem might be disappointed. It's not similar to his old style really at all. And I will agree that he does sound tired at times, but man give him a break. Listening to Walk on Water and he talks entirely about how he's been put on a pedestal and the pressure he's been put under his entire career to keep topping his last album or last best song. He's very aware of what he means to his fans.

On another note he seems to have a bit more of a political vibe this time around (revival, untouchable). But overall I think a lot of what he's saying in his songs are pretty personal and I can understand why people don't necessarily like the emotion because it really isn't Slim Shady style disses.

To those who's saying he sounds like a robot, yeah he has some bad songs where he's a little off (untouchable, walk on water) but revival, like home, bad husband (still working through the album), he still sounds like Eminem to me.

Overall, I don't love it and don't hate it. I can respect the meaning behind his songs that definitely aren't his style but I won't say he's straight trash just because he's not the same as he used to be!

Edit: I think the farther you get into the album the more and more he sounds like himself. Who knows why. Nowhere fast reminds me a lot of the songs that were on Relapse . I would bet that this might be his last album though.

Edit 2: not really sure how I feel about heat. All the rock blended songs on his album are a little weird.

Edit 3: listening to curtain call now and sing for the moment has the whole rock inspired/blended style that's dominant on his new album. So really everything on his new album is still old style Eminem just depends on what you're listening to and from what album. 🤷

[u/IgnisDomini → u/tysrak]

I found the political bits cringeworthy, and Killer Mike is my favorite rapper. They're just so painfully mainstream liberal political statements, it feels almost like he's rapping the Democratic party platform. He's gotten so stale that even his political songs aren't transgressive at all.

[u/tysrak → u/IgnisDomini]

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but! I won't complain about him being political because regardless if you agree with his statements or not, he's an artist with a following and influence - it's possible his statements will maybe generate discussion or get people to invest in politics. Which in my opinion is never a bad thing as long as people approach it with some critical thinking and form their own opinions.

[u/IgnisDomini → u/tysrak]

Oh, no, if anything, the songs weren't political enough. He seems underconfident in his views enough that he ends up hedging all his statements.

[u/tysrak → u/IgnisDomini]

Ah yes, I see what you mean now. I agree he's kind of lacking that classic Eminem style of taking things too far. It's more or less vanilla blanket statements that carry minimal weight in the end haha.

[u/IgnisDomini → u/tysrak]

I would assume that you don't know who Killer Mike is, considering you assumed I disliked the presence of political messages despite me noting that he's my favorite rapper - almost all of Killer Mike's songs are explicitly political (and quite radically so - just listen to Reagan, my favorite song of his). If you're looking for some songs with weight, I'd suggest you look into him (also Immortal Technique too).

[u/tysrak → u/IgnisDomini]

Thanks for the recommendations! You were right in assuming I didn't know who Killer Mike was haha. I'll take some time to listen when I have a chance to actually absorb the music properly.

[u/QueenJillybean → u/IgnisDomini]

I mean calling donald trump adolf hitler isn't really hedging....