For a rap icon who is making a major comeback, personally and professionally after four years, neither Eminem nor his latest album, Relapse has changed much. The same underlying emotions and personal agendas dominate, the themes mostly playing around drugs, his mother, wife and murder.
Anyone who has listened to Eminem’s previous albums, Slim Shady LP or even the last one, Encore, would notice one poignant different between the albums — the darker lyrics. His songwriting has matured, no doubt, but on a very dark level.
After a major stint in rehab, it is only fair that almost all the songs in the album talk about drug abuse. But My mom cracks a whip at his mother again. Slim Shady rears his head here and there but Eminem sticks on for most of the songs. Old times’ sake features his long-time friend and producer Dr. Dre again.
“You little wencher, murder wasn’t my intention, If I wanted to kill you it would have already been done...”
Eminem plays wild with metaphors, describing drugs as a psychopathic killer who goes around killing celebrities. 3 a.m gives a rather disturbing account of a psycho killer who doesn’t remember when he kills while Same song and dance, though quite catchy, talks about women celebrities raped by a serial killer.
Eminem’s signature skits are there in this album too.
There aren’t many songs in the album that you listen to more than once, except perhaps, 3 a.m and Same song and dance.
Relapse is Eminem’s story but perhaps it is way too personal and has far too many layers than what a regular listener can connect to.