Since Eminem’s last release, the music industry has had alot more downs than ups. Hip-Hop has been called dead, and the quality of rap music has been mediocre at best. Sales have hit an all time low, causing many rappers to never make it past their debut album. In walks Marshall with Dr. Dre behind the boards. One of rap’s biggest sellers returns with his 5th album Relapse. On the 2nd single “3am” he paints a picture of a pill popping serial killer over a dark piano riff spitting “contemplating my next plot again/ swallowin a Knolopin/ while I’m noddin in and out on the ottoman..” Like always, Em continues to keep the shock value up throughout the album even getting raped by his step father on “Insane”. “Must be the Ganja” is an ode to the chronic with a catchy hook and dope lyrics that end up straying off topic. Shady shows his wordplay and delivery are still top notch on the songs “Stay Wide Awake” “Medicine Ball” and “Same Song and Dance”. Slim croons on the hook of “Beautiful” which could be a single with its laid back melody, backing vocals, and whining guitar. On the downside there are too many pointless skits and some album filler including “My Mom” “Underground/Ken Caniff” and “Deja Vu”. Em also experiments with different voices and accents that take away from his flow on some tracks and work with others. Overall “Relapse” is a good album with some hot rhymes and beats, but it falls short of great.

3.5 out of 5 joysticks