Music To Be Murdered By

About

If you were hoping that an Eminem album released in 2020 would be less offensive, violent, or controversial, this album isn’t for you. It’s called <i>Music to Be Murdered By</i>, after all—a title borrowed from a creepy 1958 music compilation presented by Alfred Hitchcock. In one interlude, Hitchcock’s voice can be heard explaining the premise: “This was meant for your listening pleasure—while you are being done in.” This surprise drop, in which we’re reacquainted with Eminem’s chainsaw-wielding alter ego Slim Shady, is as cold and uncompromising as it sound. The snarling beats—produced by Dr. Dre, The Alchemist, and Eminem himself, among others—heave beneath wordplay as impressive and elaborate as it is aggressive, sinister, and, occasionally, unacceptable. Unlike his last two release, this album is neither pop-leaning (with exception of one Ed Sheeran feature) nor a straight-up diss record. For better or worse, most of <i>Music to Be Murdered By</i> is simply Eminem doing what he does best: gratuitously savage, antagonistic rhymes for the pure, juvenile sake of it. Longtime stans will rejoice to find three (!) collaborations with Royce da 5’9”, particularly the frenetic “Yah Yah,” also featuring Q-Tip and Denaun. The beats on “Stepdad” and “Lock It Up” are second to none, while “Little Engine” and “Farewell” wouldn’t feel out of place on albums released two decades ago. .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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