Lil Uzi Vert, the artist that soundtracked my early high school years, recently released a sequel to one of their most critically acclaimed projects; “Eternal Atake,” with the aptly titled “Eternal Atake 2,” and it’s pretty bad. 

Uzi’s arrival in the rap game was one for the ages. Their unique flow, sound and style made them a real standout in a genre that was in need of a new sound for a new generation of listeners. Uzi’s dedication to being a rockstar in both their presentation and aesthetic laid the foundation for countless artists to further build upon. 

Countless members of Gen-Z like myself most likely have fond memories of when Uzi dropped “Eternal Atake” in the early morning hours of March 6, 2020. It was a surprise drop and created a real moment in time that makes this recent release all the more disappointing. 

This album sounds very unrefined, like how Uzi used to sound before they blew up in popularity. It feels paint by numbers and lacks any creative vision or risk. 

The project feels like a step back for Uzi and seems to be discarding the direction that their last few albums had been going in, in favor of a generic sound and lyrics that can be found on any number of lesser artists’ discography. 

This project is not new or exciting and I often found it increasingly difficult to determine when one song ended and another began. 

Uzi has made a career on sounding unique and different and this album is nothing we have not heard before from them and other artists who followed in their footsteps. 

“Eternal Atake 2” feels unfinished or at the very least unpolished and I found it very disappointing for an artist that I used to hold in such high regard. 

Hopefully, the reception of this album is a wake-up call and Uzi can get back to taking risks and favoring innovation over playing it safe, because this project was just not it. 

Official Score: 3/10

Categories: Arts & Entertainment