Eminem's Album Leaks Six Days Early, Critics Weigh In

Six days before it's highly anticipated release, Eminem's newest album, "Marshall Mathers LP 2," has leaked online. The early verdict? Strong.

Jim Farber of the New York Daily News gave Eminem's newest tracks four out of five stars, saying that it's clear that the rapper had a midlife crisis, but in the best way.

Luckily, “Marshall Mathers 2” isn’t a mere retread of the earlier album. It’s a portrait of a middle-aged man who has no idea how to grow up — as well as one who admits he wouldn’t want to, even if he could.

In the process, the album offers a resounding return to the gory comedy and free embrace of psychosis that first made Em the antihero of our age. It’s his funniest album in years, as well as his fastest, verbally. The speed rap in “Rap God” alone could make every other emcee tie their tongue in shame.

Artist Direct reveals that Eminem revisits some of his older tracks on "MMLP2," but he's making something even better in the process.

The production could've been ripped right from a slasher flick, and it fits the razor sharp rapping strewn throughout the sprawling epic. He nods to some past hits, while forging right into the future at full speed ahead, knives out, guns drawn, and fists clenched—punctuated by an eerie little hook.

It wouldn't be an album leak, of course, without social media reactions. A community divided, to put it mildly.

Wanna know why nobody disses Eminem? Go listen to MMLP2 and you'll find the answer

— Dr.Simples™ (@Dr_Simples) October 31, 2013

I've listened to half of two songs from the new Marshall Mathers LP and they're so bad I want to just crawl in a hole and die.

— Felice Fawn (@felicefawn) October 31, 2013

The first song on Eminem's new album is better than most rappers' whole careers.

— Chino (@Chino_OVOXO) October 31, 2013

Check out Eminem's collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, called "Love Game," below. Weigh in on the new Em record in the comments.