User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 549 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 38 out of 549
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  1. Dec 21, 2020
    10
    At the beginning i was unsure about the whole album. Eminem didnt sound hungry on this one. Hes also not angry anymore, but arter a couple of listens i found this album a masterpiece!

    Fav tracks: She Loves Me, Book of rhymes, Gnat, These demons, zeus, discombobulated, black magic, Alfreds theme
    Least fav: Killer, guns blazing,
  2. Dec 21, 2020
    10
    Really strong album from an artist now known for inconsistency. This surprise release is shockingly one of the best things he’s done in 15 years.
  3. Dec 21, 2020
    10
    How does he keep doing this? Insane lyricism with amazing production.
    GOAT
  4. Dec 21, 2020
    10
    Lets say this album contains all versions of Eminem that we have witnessed through the years. This side is better than the last one. The producing and the lyrics in this album is even superior to the A-side. Thanks Em
  5. Dec 21, 2020
    9
    Heard the side B from track 1 to 16, and then heard the album from track 1 to 36 multiple times before leaving the review. Let me start with the "yikes" first. I admit, as loyal a stan as I am, there are definitely filler tracks that I can do fine without. But apart from skips like In Too Deep, Farewell, and Favorite **** the overall project is just pure dominance. Here's the thing, beingHeard the side B from track 1 to 16, and then heard the album from track 1 to 36 multiple times before leaving the review. Let me start with the "yikes" first. I admit, as loyal a stan as I am, there are definitely filler tracks that I can do fine without. But apart from skips like In Too Deep, Farewell, and Favorite **** the overall project is just pure dominance. Here's the thing, being lyrically smart and aggressive is nothing new to Em, and that there are a few wordplays that are dangerously swaying between punchlines and dad jokes. But its replay value is immense at least to me, as the production is up to date, and just when I imagined Em should be out of new syllables to rhyme, he still pulls it off with new rhyme schemes and flows.

    Fire album overall, suitable for both listening very attentively and playing in the background.
    Expand
  6. Dec 20, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I enjoyed the album. There are bangers as well as songs that detail his feelings and thoughts. Again, the syllable smithing is out of this world. I would like to see less romantic songs from Eminem only because they feel soulless and really just filler. The toxic tracks of the past like Love The Way You Lie struck gold but efforts like In Too Deep, Farewell, and more seem forced and merely rehashes of unsuccessful tracks seen before on Kamikaze, Revival, and MMLP2. Still, the lyrical content and the wordsmithing outweighs most negatives to the album as Eminem seems to craft rhymes and verses more for fun than for any specific goal. As an Eminem album goes, there are dozens of lines dedicated to a figurative woman that he ks borderline harassing with pick-up lines that remind you of a dad joke book. The energy picks up with tracks like "Higher," and "Book of Rhymes" which see Eminem strive for more achievements in a rap game that increasingly deems him an outdated lyricist. Does Eminem get better with time? It depends. The argument can still be made that Eminem cannot build the best song with a limited skill set. However, when teamed up with artists like White Gold or Royce da 5'9", he can ride the highs of his peers while shining in his own lyrical aspect.

    This album highlights a growing concern with Eminem stans and his doubters - what can this man say that he hasn't already? Does he have stories that he can still share that will engage an avid hip-hop fan? If so, would it have been better to replace more club styled songs like "Killer," or, "Those Kinda Nights," with more raw subject matter? It seems like Slim has stepped out of the mindset that involves having to fit the needs of all of his doubters, but it will take more than high speed flows to capture the young followers of a much different scene than the one Eminem stepped onto. Now, we wait... to see where the Rap God moves next.
    Expand
  7. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    It's really good it reminds me of an old eminem and slim shady.................
  8. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    This far exceeds the bar that was set by its predecessor. It seems like Eminem is back to having fun in the booth again, wordplay, beat switches, and hints of Dr.Dre lead this to be his best work in years.
  9. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    He proves again why he is the Greatest lyrical artist of all time. Beat selection was good. Beat switches are great. Side B is filled with side A songs for just about any other rapper.
  10. Dec 20, 2020
    9
    I guess people are just going to get on the hate train and just refuse to get down, whatever are you going to through at them. Side B is actually as good as Side A, if not better.
  11. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Great step up from MTBMB - Side A.
    side b is pretty great and much much more enjoyable than Side A, which was released in January and it was alright for the time being and the highest point of Side A topped the lowest. Biggest problem on side was Em sticking to a theme! nonetheless it was the best we’ve heard from him in year. Especially after the Revival/ Kamikaze fiasco. So this deluxe
    Great step up from MTBMB - Side A.
    side b is pretty great and much much more enjoyable than Side A, which was released in January and it was alright for the time being and the highest point of Side A topped the lowest. Biggest problem on side was Em sticking to a theme! nonetheless it was the best we’ve heard from him in year. Especially after the Revival/ Kamikaze fiasco. So this deluxe is honestly a breath of fresh air and Eminem seemingly having fun and testing out new and more modern sound with songs like “Book of Rhymes” “Killer” “Zeus” & “Favorite B*tch” hit the highlight of Side B is honestly his goofy lyrics and clever but dad-like jokes rhymes which honestly ARE funny but can come across “corny” to fans coming onto this album expecting top tier lyricism :( and hard punching bars upon bars..
    The last song in the deluxe is the most interesting as we gets throwback Eminem or as he yells at the beginning of “Discombobulated” , ACCENTSSSSSS” which was so nostalgic to hear and the song doesn’t disappoint as we hear a song that could’ve EASILY been on Relapse, with Dr Dre handling the production in this it’s a certified banger and a win for Relapse stans (like me!)
    Expand
  12. Dec 20, 2020
    8
    This album's quality caught me by surprise. Eminem was able to blend his old style with some new trap-type beats with songs such as Gnat and Book of Rhymes. My top songs from this album (in no particular order): Alfred's Theme, Book of Rhymes, Gnat, Zeus, Discombobulated. Also honorable mention to Key-Skit for being hilarious.
  13. Dec 20, 2020
    9
    Way better than his last three albums combined. The beats are fresh, Marshall is hungry and his victims are without a chance to get out unharmed from this lyrical massacre.
  14. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    it's better the the first one with more enjoyable and memorable songs in it compared to the one he dropped earlier this year
  15. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Amazinggggggg, I love this album. It has some of the highest production value of any Eminem album and his rhyme schemes are next level.
  16. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    What an end to 2020
    he is back with 16 more tracks and tbh its the most enjoyable tracks by him after a while the beats are different sounding and his flow is different too had a great time listening!
  17. Dec 20, 2020
    9
    New sound, new flows and new era for the king of rap. Anyone who listens closely will know that this album is an upgrade from the previous one. Showing that the artist takes a good notice of what people say.
  18. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Men look at this critics still hating eminem lol but you forgot he just don’t give a ****
  19. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Side B is even better than Side A. Almost all songs are dope, especially Gnat, Zeus and Alfred's Theme. Expand
  20. Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Great album!
    That Relapse vibe at the end of album made me repeat an entire album..
  21. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    This album is that good that it make me look at this year like a dream full of luciveness.
  22. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    This might be one of Em's best albums since The Eminem Show, and I don't say that lightly considering I love his entire discography. The way he incorporates his style and flow into more modern beats takes them to another level that the majority of artists today could never achieve or even dream of. And those beat changes though... killing the game! This is the perfect infusion of ShadyThis might be one of Em's best albums since The Eminem Show, and I don't say that lightly considering I love his entire discography. The way he incorporates his style and flow into more modern beats takes them to another level that the majority of artists today could never achieve or even dream of. And those beat changes though... killing the game! This is the perfect infusion of Shady with the "new era" of hip-hop; current sounding beats with the spirit and feel of classic and new Eminem. His previous album ("Side A" of MTBMB) was already solid, but this just builds on that and somehow makes it even better. I feel like he had a lot of fun on this project, and is back in his element like old times. Then of course, there's the lyrics, flow, punchlines, entendres, metaphors, wordplay, etc. that are insane as always, and I'll probably be deciphering them for months to come lol. I love it! This album is truly a masterpiece, and an instant classic imo. The fact that we got two Eminem albums this year (and a lot of other great music) is at least one good thing I can say about 2020, and was a great way to open and close it out. Thank you Em for saving it as much as you could! Expand
  23. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Finally after all the leaks and hints.... HE FINALLY DROPPED IT. Great album! Fresh and different sound.
    The Rap God is back!
  24. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Fire as always. Eminem's music never gets old. He's the goat and everyone with the right mind knows that. Great beats with amazing lyrics!
  25. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Best we've seen from Eminem in while. Got this album on repeat right now! Pure GOLD!
  26. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Like wine, he only gets better with time. Best Christmas present! It was a pleasure to buy and listen to this album!
  27. Dec 19, 2020
    9
    Good album to end the bad year, little different the side A, but same theme
  28. Dec 19, 2020
    9
    Really consistent, insane wordplay, really good & diverse production. Good use of features. Just a fun album to listen to. I liked Side A but side B is def better
  29. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Eminem is unstoppable. These reviews which are accusing him of saying the same things over and over do not get what an artist's signature and motifs are by definition. This album is so perfect, and the lyrics need to be put under heavy scrutiny to be fathomed. The production is perfect also. The crritics seem like a bunch of arrogant naysayers who are just repeating everything about himEminem is unstoppable. These reviews which are accusing him of saying the same things over and over do not get what an artist's signature and motifs are by definition. This album is so perfect, and the lyrics need to be put under heavy scrutiny to be fathomed. The production is perfect also. The crritics seem like a bunch of arrogant naysayers who are just repeating everything about him over and over even without paying attention to the music. It seems they are justvproving what they already believe in, and that is hating the artist. Even without paying enough heed to what the art is. In my oppinion, the critics are losing touch with reality and while Eminem's music keeps evolving they just continue to hate it cause of the past prejudices they hold against him as a person. This album is great, his fans and music listeners mostly love it, and I just do not believe the harsh critics that I have encountered about it, they are just so unfair. Expand
  30. Dec 19, 2020
    10
    One of the best albums of 2020 maybe even the best Eminem really did some solid work
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Dec 31, 2020
    70
    Side B is a 16-track expansion that delivers familiar territory with some pops of Em at his sharpest.
  2. Dec 28, 2020
    67
    Side B is not a total miss though, nor even a miss at all. Once Mathers stumbles through this opening salvo and the awkward bits of “Tone Deaf”, the album settles into a comfortable space, and even becomes enjoyable.
  3. Dec 21, 2020
    70
    Over the three-song run of "Alfred's Theme" (which jacks Charles Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette," best known as the theme music to Alfred Hitchcock Presents, to delirious effect), "Tone Deaf," and "Book of Rhymes" (which climaxes with a flurry of DJ Premier scratches), Slim Shady stuffs more rewind-worthy punchlines and flow variations than most rappers will deliver in a whole career. ... Other attempts feel more forced. ... More compelling are the two tracks produced by D.A. Got That Dope.