This track is actually quite uplifting, it all hits a positive note – from the perfect beat choice to the lyrics and how he does that almost singing throughout the entire track (I really love it when he does that). It has a solid chorus and three amazing verses. He took this song home, just sayin’.

This is what I wanted Relapse to sound like, and he recognizes that.
In ‘Not Afraid’, he apologizes for Relapse and admits that it was “Ehh..” because it was.
Relapse was such a let down.
Which makes it extra cool that he says:

“And to the fans, I’ll never let you down again, I’m back
I promise to never go back on that promise.”

I’m so excited to hear what he can come up with when he’s not on drugs! You have no idea. I love Marshall Mathers III so much, I’m so proud that he’s clean now. How do I know he’s clean? He talks about it in the song.

“Time to put my life back together right now
It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Admittedly i probably did it subliminally for you
So I could come back a brand new me”

I think this track was Eminem’s way of telling us, “Hey, I know that I had a lot of fucked up shit going on before, but I’m a new person now and I’m not afraid. Love it or hate it, this is what I want.” And I’m honestly excited about it.

Like Jon said, “If Recovery is just like “Not Afraid”, it’s going to be a good summer.”

Report Card

Instruments: 95
Production: 96
Lyrics: 98
Vocals: 95

Overall

95