Download of the Day 6/21: "Love The Way You Lie" by Eminem featuring Rihanna

Eminem calls on Rihanna to aid in
"Love The Way You Lie", an ode to
the truths of volatile relationships

Eminem released his new album Recovery today on iTunes and other music stores. I haven't finished listening to the whole record, but I have heard it is one of the best of the year.

The album's early release means something else, though. It means you can finally download one of the year's best songs, and one of the best of Eminem's decade long career.

"Love The Way You Lie", the rumored second single, is already scorching a path up the iTunes chart, with good reason. The song is about a very volatile relationship, a subject that Eminem is no stranger too. What is astonishing about this record is how it presented. It is one of Eminem's most listenable singles, thanks to its guitar and clap-driven melody, produced by Alex da Kid. He also produced the brilliant song "Airplanes" by B.O.B and Hayley Williams, which is why it may sound familiar. However, the songs are different enough to withstand too many rip-off claims. Plus, this song is much deeper in content. Some of the lyrics are very intense, and Eminem's delivery is as sharp as its ever. He conveys so well the conflicting emotions that come with relationships with elements of abuse embedded in them. In one line, he shares how much he loves that his lover hates him. He also acknowledges that both of them are suffering and desperate for more pain and love. It is a powerful show of growth for someone who's indulged in some of the most misogynistic lyrics in recent pop history, While he does rap about the struggles that his significant other is dealing with, he leaves the complex, yet simple feelings in the chorus, sung by pop superstar Rihanna. Having her, a domestic abuse victim herself, sing the amazing chorus was a stroke of genius on Em's part. It makes you wonder how Rihanna felt singing lyrics that pretty much summed up her interview with Diane Sawyer last year. Either way, her vocals are great, and she is just as responsible for this record's imminent success as he is.

"Love The Way You Lie" will probably be the second consecutive #1 singles for both artists, a feat well deserved. Eminem has surely grown up since his days as Slim Shady, but his musical brilliance hasn't wavered a bit.

Rating: 9/10 (Even if you downloaded it when it leaked, just do it again on iTunes. It's worth the $1.29)