Back due to popular demand, rap phenomenon Eminem returns with his long-awaited comeback album, Relapse. This is his first studio album release since 2004’s Encore which was a worldwide chart-topper as well as a 4-time Platinum album, selling 11 million copies worldwide.

Relapse, which boasts 20 solid tracks, is due for release on May 19 and features the Eminem’s usual suspects: 50 Cent and mentor Dr. Dre.

There is no title track, but a few song names might allude to the album’s title, such as “Must Be the Ganja” and “Déjà Vu”. The first album in seven years that he’s recorded while sober, he sings about his drug addiction relapse after the death of his closest friend Proof.

Noteworthy is “3am”, in which we get a peek inside the head of a serial killer. Written when Eminem was in rehabilitation, it gives us his alter ego Slim Shady in his full morbid glory. The Dre beat is standard, but Em gets a tad too nasal on this song, and makes you think he’s trying too hard. Imagine how much better it would be if he toned it down to what he used in “Cleaning Out My Closet”.

“We Made You” undoubtedly steals the spotlight. Despite being away from the rap scene for five years, Eminem, best known for his eloquently controversial lyrics, proves he can still rap satirical slapstick off the top of his head. An Eminem album isn’t one without celebrity attacks. Similar to “Just Lose It” from Encore, he takes a dig at notable icons from Jessica Simpson to Elvis and even Sarah Palin. Topped off with his rapping in a silly accent, this song is bound to stay in your head for a while.

Eminem and mentor Dr. Dre are back one more time to sing a song for “Old Time’s Sake”. This song couldn’t have a better title. It has a party vibe that seems all too familiar, with Dre’s beats and Em’s slick wordplay (which contains very adult content). Although together, they’ve had much better singles before such as “Encore”, this song manages to capture the essence of Dre and Em.

Finally, a defining point of an Eminem album is that it has at least one a melancholic song. He takes fatherhood seriously and similar to “Mockingbird”, this is another touching Hailie-inspired ballad. “Beautiful” shows he isn’t simply all for rage and dissing celebrities. He shows a softer side as he sings “It don’t matter saying you ain’t beautiful/They can all get f***** just stay true to you”.

Relapse shows that Em has lots of personality as the songs have much going on. A typical Eminem album, the songs go from being full of hate to zany concoctions of tasteless lyrics to inspirational ballads.

However, This time, the flow of some songs seem forced. Despite being known as one of the greatest rap lyricists, Relapse lacks the lyrical creativity he demonstrated in previous albums. Also, he tends to overuse the high-pitched nasal tone in more than one song that would have sounded better without.

Relapse is good, but definitely isn’t his best work. You’ll have to listen to it more than once before taking a liking to the songs. Still, being his first production since his last effort 5 years ago, it’s worth the money and should go platinum within the first week of release.

Tracklist
1. Dr. West
2. 3am
3. My Mom
4. Insane
5. Bagpipes from Baghdad
6. Hello
7. Tonya (Skit)
8. Same Song & Dance
9. We Made You
10. Medicine Ball
11. Paul (Skit)
12. Stay Wide Awake
13. Old Time’s Sake
14. Must Be the Ganja
15. Mr. Mathers
16. Déjà Vu
17. Beautiful
18. Crack a Bottle
19. Steve Berman (Skit)
20. Underground/Ken Kaniff