New Eminem LP

SLIM SHADY’S BACK: The upcoming Eminem release, currently scheduled for June 22, has also leaked this week, further ramping up media scrutiny of the phenomenon, and causing many to ask whether leaks are a troubling trend or—in some cases, at least—an intentional marketing ploy. But with the emergence of the digital consumer, the benefits of the intentional leak are now questionable; it’s highly unlikely that anyone would buy a digital album they’ve already downloaded for free. The good news is that those who have heard the leaked Shady/Aftermath/Interscope album are hailing it as Eminem’s strongest effort since 2000’s landmark Marshall Mathers LP. The new Recovery follows 2009’s Relapse (1.96m). (6/10a)