Not Afraid was the first single of Eminem’s album Recovery. And I know there’s this whole new Eminem and old Eminem thing, but personally I didn’t start listening to Eminem until after this album, and to me it just feels like he got older, his music changed a little, and I like both, although to me they’re also one in the same. That being said, I didn’t hype this song like some might had. Some people think Eminem fell off on Encore, (so far I don’t think the album is terrible) Relapse is bad (I like Relapse) and he kind of came back on this one. (I think this is up there with his best album next to the Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show) But that’s for later reviews. Not Afraid I remember hearing on the radio and shit, so maybe stuff like that turned people off, and they start this old Eminem and new Eminem thing, not to mention Love the Way You Lie with Rihanna. I can see people’s opinion, but this is mine. I think Not Afraid is a great song. I heard this was the birth of "New Eminem” If that’s true, new Eminem makes great music too. This is a song I can see myself working out in the gym with, in the car, at home, any fucking where, and it stands up. It’s a huge uplifting song with each line being significant. Each line goes higher and higher, and some seem kind of a little… I don’t know. I don’t want to say sloppy, but not as epic as the rest of the song seems to be. But yeah, although his voice might be more pop like, he sounds good, and that’s all that matters. The hook sounds good, and the message is if your going through problems, follow his music and go through those problems with him. A little cheesy, but a good message. And I like some other parts, like he’s saying Relapse wasn’t a good album. (personally I like Relapse, but the fact he’s taking personal criticism well, that’s good) And I also really like the bridge. I think it’s really good, and I just for some reason love the bridge’s in songs, especially when they’re executed well in songs like this) As far as the lyrics go for a whole they’re very well put together, and each line I feel is worked. In a way, I think this can be the go to Eminem song. Then again I feel like Till I Collapse is kind of in that position more, but maybe for this whole "New Eminem,” idea, then yes. And as for an album single, I feel Not Afraid is a good example of the entire album, as it shows a lot of what it’s like. And this song can be playing while any epic shit is going on. Epic war, play Not Afraid. Driving like a maniac, play Not Afraid. That, and it can make little things epic. Pour a fucking bowl of cereal, it will be epic with this song. I know Eminem isn’t dissing pop artists or making drug references like some people like, but for people saying this is a bad song, I just don’t see it. Stand alone, it is a really uplifting song, and feels like it could be a lot of different things. A song about fighting your demons. A song about going from nothing to something. I feel that’s a strong way to comeback while also playing it safe, but in a good way. As far as the music video, I think it was good. I mean it, it got that epicness. Just maybe a little too much. Flying around like Superman was a little much, but I guess how else are you going to capture the music, right? Anyway, yeah, there’s not big problems in this, and there isn’t massive reasons why I like it. It’s a great song, and reaches a high eight for me. It’s epic, it sounds good, had a music video that may have been a little too epic. Some say he’s trying to hard, but fuck you trying too hard is way better than not trying at all like some people. And personally, I don’t think he’s trying to hard. I think not afraid is a great song that fits all kinds moments, and hits all kinds of emotions, mainly those epic moments like when you get goosebumps or just did something really awesome. All in all, a great single.
