Eminem Exclusive: New Bonus Tracks!

When Eminem’s new album Relapse leaked last week, we heard a combination of potent lyricism, pill-popping hysteria and murderous intent. Many were expecting a more well-rounded cathartic effort from a legendary emcee with a closet full of demons to exorcise, but instead we got the nasally rants of Eminem’s alter-ego, Slim Shady.

Though some love the brilliantly crazy canvas known as Relapse, many thought it lacked a soul. Thankfully, two rather introspective and personal bonus tracks just leaked today. Interestingly enough, these two cuts, “My Darling” and “Careful What You Wish For,” may be the album’s best songs.

“My Darling” features Eminem battling his demons, namely his Slim Shady alter-ego and Dr. Dre, over an ominous beat. They team up to convince Em that he needs to be crazy to be relevant—that his lunacy is the key to his success. Dre spits “It seems ever since you got off your drugs you’ve become a lot softer,” to which Em defends, “But Dre, all Shady is is a bottle of bleach and some vodka.”

Nevertheless, given how Relapse turned out, it would seem that Em lost the battle to Shady and Dre. It’s too bad too, because despite Slim’s manic flow and controversial buzz, Eminem has way more of substance to say.

“Careful What You Wish For” starts with news audio clips that bring us up to date with the drama that Em has weathered since Encore. There is his addiction to sleep medication, the shooting of Obie Trice, Proof’s murder, and Em’s hiatus/retirement. Then Em enters the fore with, “So this is it, this is what I wished for. But it just isn’t how I envisioned it, fame to the point of imprisonment.”

He comes off vulnerable, yet also able to transcend the pettiness that surrounds him. More than anything he is telling us an honest story— a cathartic exercise that can touch his fan base way more than the bulk of Relapse. He spits, “And this is real talk, I feel like the Incredible Hulk / My back has been broke and I can still walk.”

If Relapse teaches us anything it’s that he can definitely walk and rap, but that he is also admittedly broken. I’m glad Em is back, but hope he can win the battle with himself before it’s too late.

*Due to technical difficulties, click HERE to listen to Eminem’s two bonus tracks!

-Lukas Brekke-Miesner