Eternal Atake 2 is the fourth studio album from Philadelphia-born rapper Lil Uzi Vert, following their 2023 album Pink Tape. An album which saw fan favourites like ‘Spin Again’ and ‘Just Wanna Rock.’ They have been teasing new music on their Instagram for some time now, in posts that have since been deleted. The interest we saw for Eternal Atake in 2020 had fans excited for this new project, seemingly an extension or continuation of that album.
The single released ahead of the project, ‘Uzi The Earthling (TV Show Theme)’ provided a good introduction, sounding like an old TV show theme tune. Straight away we gather this from the opening lines, “here’s a story of a guy named Uzi/ from the streets to the stage boy is busy, making music that will make you smile.” Lyrics that were not sung by Uzi themself, but an older female voice similar to TV show theme tunes from the 70’s. From this it could have been assumed the album may follow some sort of storyline arc or connecting theme throughout, yet it didn’t. Instead it followed varying themes surrounding his life as a musician/rapper, particularly songs about money and excess. For example, on ‘Chips and Dip’ they discuss someone they are in competition with and point out this person’s lack of status compared to Lil Uzi’s. “How the fuck he my enemy and his main car is a ‘63?” Many songs on the album refer to their wealth and status as a rapper, with little versatility or ability to reference more emotive subjects.
Lil Uzi Vert sets a good precedent on the first track, ‘We Good.’ Here they set the tone, making it clear that they’re back to prove anyone that underestimated them wrong. Perhaps a reaction to some claims that their latest work over the years has diminished in value or creativity. It’s clear throughout the album that the criticism is not something they value or listen to, aiming to stay authentic to themselves. “They thought I was a dead guy/ I’m here to stay, that’s the way it’s gonna go” state the mind frame and creative space they were in when making this album.
The first track on the album does provide a different flow to the first track, ‘Baby Pluto’ from 2020’s LP Eternal Atake, yet the energy is the same classic Lil Uzi Vert we hear from most of their introductory tracks. Some tracks do change up production style, which offers a nice change and is perhaps due to varying producers they had working on the album. ‘Conceited’’ and ‘Goddard Song’ were produced by Norwegian producer Cashmere Cat. Someone with producer credits on many popular songs like The Weeknd’s ‘Die For You’ and, The Kid Laroi’s ‘Stay.’ His stamp on this album is clear due to the different artistic choices he has made. For example, in some areas of the album there is slight overuse of hi-hats, which leave some songs sounding fairly similar. This can be seen in the three track run ‘Mr Chow’, ‘Lyft Em Up’ and ‘Chips and Dip.’ Yet with Cashmere Cat’s production it is more stripped back and slowed down. As a result, Lil Uzi offers a different flow on these two songs and showcases their ability to change up the subject matter. Here, they are offering more substance with emotive delivery that feels authentic to how Lil Uzi Vert felt making the song. Another song which offers a different production style is ‘PerkySex’ and although the subject matter is still discussing their lifestyle as a rapper, it does have slight vulnerability that wasn’t seen on the earlier tracks. The song contains more of a 80’s R&B and rap sound, perhaps due to the sparkly synth sound we hear during the opening of the track, reminiscent on songs like The Notorious B.I.G’s ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ something that is appreciated after the first several songs on the album, which were beginning to sound too repetitive.
Overall, during many parts of the album some songs feel rushed and overdone. Many times choruses are composed of the same line used repetitively. On ‘Meteor Man’ the lyric “This is an aura” is used routinely 12 times. The same can be said for ‘Lyft Em Up’ with the line, “please don’t get lifted’ and, ‘Paars In The Mars’ with the noun ‘Wock’ which is used monotonously throughout the chorus.
This is not to say there weren’t moments on the album that didn’t deliver. As mentioned previously, songs which offered different subject matter or a more emotive side, exhibited a side of Lil Uzi Vert that we grew to love their music for. They offer a varying flow on some songs like ‘Not An Option’ which match some of their past singles and work. All in all, they remain someone counted in high regard in both hip- hop and the emo rap genre.
Words by Jessica Sansoa
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