Magnetic recording medium with backside to decrease recording surface embossment

A magnetic recording medium including a substrate, a magnetic side, and a backside. The substrate defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The magnetic side is formed over the first surface of the substrate and defines a recording surface. The backside is coated on the second surface of the substrate and is configured to decrease embossment of the recording surface. The backside defines a backside surface opposite the substrate. The backside surface having a skew less than about 0.5 and a kurtosis less than about 4.0.