Em definitely took artistic risk and that's all I so badly wanted to see since Recovery. I felt like sound wise Recovery was just such a safe album for him.. and I just couldn't buy into the idea he was confident.
That might be my personal feelings too because he trashed Relapse which he obviously invested so much energy in.. I felt like his confidence really took a blow. Recovery just sounded hollow at some points for me.
This album when he says he is Top 3 & 4 I actually believe him. The confidence while telling his story of loser to Rap God is the beauty of Eminem to me.
I dunno, fuck.. it's just good. Great production too, minus a couple of songs.
I wont write an elaborate - track by track review because people would slam me for not liking a few songs musically (some that people obviously love) but I would say this album is a 4/5 in totality.