About “Revival”

Revival is Eminem’s highly anticipated ninth studio album, released on December 15, 2017. It’s the follow-up to 2013’s The Marshall Mathers LP2. It was promoted using a cryptic marketing campaign for a fake pharmaceutical company in late October 2017 (see below). This name ties into his continued use of drug references—Relapse (2009) and Recovery (2010)—in his album titles.

Eminem explains the title Revival as a double entendre: a revival for himself, but also (“hopefully”) a revival for America—the album does contain politically charged tracks, such as “Untouchable” and “Like Home.” On the final two tracks, “Castle” and “Arose,” the title Revival obtains particular importance, in an almost literal sense.

Eminem first hinted at a new album back in October 2016 when he dropped his politically charged “Campaign Speech” (incidentally, this Revival campaign began two weeks after he blasted President Trump with “The Storm”). Fans continued to wait with rumors circulating until early October when producer and Eminem collaborator Mr. Porter ‘confirmed’ that the album was already finished. The official release date was first announced via Twitter by Dr. Dre.

On November 10, 2017, Eminem released the first single, “Walk on Water,” which features Beyoncé. On December 5th, Eminem released the official tracklist for the album via Twitter. The album’s art was released on 7th of December along with its second single, “Untouchable.”

On December 13, 2017, the entire album was leaked from a CD rip and went viral on Reddit, two days before its official release date.

The album title for “Revival” was also used in memory and as a tribute to Alicia Lemke, who sadly passed away in August of 2015, due to leukemia. Her vocals are featured on the 8th track, “Revival (Intelude)”.