Kamikaze
by Eminem
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Aug 31, 2018
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 10, 2018
    60
    Kamikaze finds Marshall Mathers revelling in his Slim Shady rabid underdog role, fulminating at critics, boggling at Lil Yachty, and sneering at the Migos flow on Not Alike. How riveting all this finger-wagging is probably depends upon your birth date.
  2. Exclaim
    Sep 4, 2018
    60
    Though his skill is absolutely unmatched, homophobic references and overly misogynistic bars in 2018 do feel excessively out of touch. It's not his best or his worst--but, it's definitely what fans deserved eight months ago.
  3. The Guardian
    Aug 31, 2018
    60
    Kamikaze is a variable, flawed album. The hooks are nothing special. ... When it’s on fire, however, it really crackles, blazing considerably brighter than any Eminem album for some time.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 31, 2018
    60
    Despite its delivery, Kamikaze is very resolutely an old-fashioned album: 45 minutes and 13 tracks long.
  6. Pitchfork
    Sep 6, 2018
    50
    While Eminem’s verbal dexterity has remained intact, his shortcomings have grown more glaring with the passage of time. When he isn’t unleashing his id, he has, at times, veered toward power-ballad treacle.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Sep 4, 2018
    50
    Ultimately, Kamikaze’s length and curtailed guest list make it less grueling than Revival, but Eminem’s indignant grandstanding has no discernible relation to the rap world he complains about.
  8. AllMusic
    Sep 7, 2018
    40
    As sheer performance, Eminem's vocals remain a thing of wonder, which is why it's so dispiriting to hear him circling the drain, relying on old tricks instead of expanding his worldview. He has the musical skills to mature; he's just refusing to let himself act his age.
  9. Spin
    Sep 6, 2018
    40
    His skill is still intact, but his music lacks its former inspiration, and he only digs a deeper hole for himself by taking aim at the youth.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2018
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 1419 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,144 out of 1419
  2. Mixed: 127 out of 1419
  3. Negative: 148 out of 1419
  1. milanstruyf
    Aug 31, 2018
    10
    Lyrics are as always the best in the game. I'm suprised by its release, sure I'm not the only one.
  2. madmoneyandswag
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    In utter disbelief at some of the reviews this has been getting. Same old same old from Eminem as of recently. Cool, he raps fast. Ha haIn utter disbelief at some of the reviews this has been getting. Same old same old from Eminem as of recently. Cool, he raps fast. Ha ha lyrics so funny. So hard so cool. Give me a break. He's lost it and it ain't coming back.… Full Review »
  3. Jonsnow123
    Aug 31, 2018
    8
    Eminem is back with a response album after the utterly disappointing and infamous Revival. He is certainly more hungry and hits the mark moreEminem is back with a response album after the utterly disappointing and infamous Revival. He is certainly more hungry and hits the mark more often than not this time around. Eminem is at his best writing with his back against the wall. However people should be able to criticize revival which Eminem clearly hasn't understood, u don't have to be a hater to understand revival is wack.

    Anyways Eminem tries to drop multiple bombs on his Kamikaze mission, most are funny and hit the mark while some fall flat and feel unjust. The Tyler diss was uncalled for, he is probably not offended by the slur, but Tyler deserves more respect than "Tyler create nothing" flower boy was a masterpiece miles better than revival. Tyler called out revival but previously defended relapse, Em seems weak.

    But all in all em blasts through with much better beats and production values, putting more or less the choppy robotic flow aside, and puts his heart into dropping lyrical bombs and entertaining hardcore fans. To say that Eminem won't make any new fans after this is an understatement. Props to em for bringing the old skits back, and i liket that he addressed the D12 inner circle beef in stepping stone.

    Favorite tracks: Kamikaze, The Ringer, Stepping Stone, Fall, Lucky you

    Least favorite: Venom(although it is for a soundtrack), Normal, Good/Nice guy    … Full Review »
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