In ‘The Death of Slim Shady’, Eminem moves forward while revisiting old themes. Find out how his latest album stacks up in our review.
Eminem, under his alter ego Slim Shady, reflects on his career and artistry in “Guilty Conscience 2” from his album “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).” He contemplates the impact of Slim Shady’s persona on his life and music.
Eminem grapples with the idea of letting go of Slim Shady, the character that embodies his darker thoughts and impulses. He discusses a dream where the old and new versions of himself clash, leading to disturbing revelations.
Despite Eminem’s high lyrical prowess, “The Death of Slim Shady” falls back on familiar themes and tropes, including controversial topics like transphobia, fatphobia, and homophobia.
The album showcases Eminem’s tendency to provoke and push boundaries, sometimes to his own detriment.
He has faced criticism and calls for cancellation from detractors, as highlighted in the album’s “Breaking News” interlude, but this is nothing new for the 51-year-old artist. Despite cracking jokes about Lizzo, it does not diminish his established legacy, making the album somewhat predictable for someone of his stature.
The promised concept album, “The Death of Slim Shady,” was meant to offer a fresh experience from start to finish in Eminem’s discography. While it does allow Slim to break free for a final shocking performance, the repetitive nature of the concept becomes apparent as it lacks true progression.
The dilemma arises when questioning Eminem’s identity without Slim Shady, as seen in the lackluster and reflective nature of his previous album, “Revival.” Striking a balance between the explicit chaos of Slim Shady and insightful observations risks losing the artist’s edge, leaving him in a precarious creative position.
