Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake | Album Review 💿

On his surprise album Eternal Atake, Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Uzi Vert delivers his fair share of intriguing, if often shallow moments.

After more than a two-year hiatus, Lil Uzi Vert returned in a big way with Eternal Atake, already among the most successful albums of 2020. Though the Grammy-nominated rapper had released singles post Luv is Rage 2, no one knew when the new album would arrive from Uzi Vert.  Ultimately, it was a total surprise, launching March 6^th originally, with Eternal Atake (Deluxe) – LUV vs. The World 2 arriving one week later.  For this album review, the focus is solely Eternal Atake. Uzi Vert definitely delivers some compelling moments throughout this hour-plus affair.

“Baby Pluto”

Lil Uzi Vert commences Eternal Atake epically with ✓ “Baby Pluto.”  “Baby Pluto” is named after the rapper’s first alter ego of the project. Here, Pluto goes off, rapping with incredible agility over dope, hard-hitting production courtesy of Brandon Finessin, Bugz Ronin, Cousin Vinny, and IKE Beatz.  As to be expected, the chorus is where Vert’s bread is buttered – the drip is real. “Baby Pluto” is a tough act to follow, but the Uzi Vert remains potent on ✓ “Lo Mein,” which also ranks among the crème de la crème of Eternal Atake. “Lo Mein” kicks off with the chorus, which begins enigmatically before the knocking backdrop is fully realized.  Besides the sick chorus, the post-chorus is pretty rad, particularly the dripped-out ending end:

“When it come to the drip, not in front of me
Wearin’ Balenciaga on my jacket, my shirt
And my pants, and my socks, and my undies.”

After going two-for-two, the energy doesn’t diminish for Uzi, who drops another badass banger, ✓ “Silly Watch.” “Silly Watch” isn’t profound in the least, but the flow is potent, and the looped, minimalist piano lines are a positive production touch.  On “POP,” Uzi Vert remains turned up, even if the trap cut is a bit, um, repetitive, out there… mostly out there.  Still, give him credit for the variety of things he does with his voice, as well as his sense of rhythm.  The chorus is utterly ridiculous mind you, but hard to deny the catchiness.

“You Better Move”

“I’m an iPod, man, you more like a Zune / Made her eat on my dick with a spoon, eww / Versace drawers, bitch you Fruit of the Loom / Yeah, yeah, Fruit of the Loom.” iPod vs. Zune? Versace vs. Fruit of the Loom? EPIC!  No energy is conceded on “You Better Move,” which uniquely samples Space Cadet Pinball.  Boxes continue to be checked off by the rapper, including a compelling flow, interesting backdrop, and a repetitive, but incredibly catchy chorus.  Better than “You Better Move” is ✓ “Homecoming,” which continues the endless flex fest that is Eternal Atake.  “Water on my neck, 3D like it’s IMAX / Diamonds turned a bird to a goddamn blind bat,” he raps on the first verse.  Of course, it’s not all about paper.  On the second verse, he spits, “I play with her kitty until it get sticky / I’m movin’ the bitch just like an alien…” Okay… sure.  So far, so good for Eternal Atake.

=

How did you know 😳🤯 ? You smart https://t.co/aiUf2cuaDs

— Uzi London 🌎☄️💕® (@LILUZIVERT) March 6, 2020

“I’m Sorry” is a change of pace, with more of a melodic approach from Lil Uzi Vert, particularly the lovely, sung chorus.  Notably, this marks a change of persona from the aggressive Baby Pluto to Renji… Still, Uzi remains true to self, rapping quickly about material things and of course, sex.  But, at least he’s apologetic… Follow up banger ✓ “Celebration Station” certainly sounds celebratory as the title suggests. It’s safe to say, he’s ‘locked and loaded,’ even if he doesn’t offer up much, perhaps ANY substance.  Still, the chorus is hella alluring, and the way he uses his voice is compelling.

“Too much guap, bands, bands, bad lil' foreign, ten, ten
She ignore that man, fuckin’ with me, handstand
I can’t lie, she got that good, but that girl bad, bad
I stay with a bag, bag, make that girl dance, dance (Let's go, yeah)”

“Bigger Than Life” 

“I thought she was G, when I put in my D / She was screamin’, she said, ‘Come on, take it out…” Certainly an eyebrow raising lyric that appears early on on “Bigger Than Life.” The big takeaway should be how confident and cocky Lil Uzi Vert is.  Sure, he actually states he’s not cocky, but the proof is in the pudding, not to mention the song title.  Notably, “Chrome Heart Tags” features production from Chief Keef – yeah, the same Chief Keef who told the world, “These bitches ‘Love Sosa’.” Anyways, Keef gives Uzi Vert a colorful backdrop to spit over, with bright, rhythmic synths, and a souped-up beat.  The rapper is certainly inspired, rapping like his life depends on it. Of course, it doesn’t, but Uzi Vert seems to believe it does.

Drip plays a sizable role on “Bust Me,” where Lil Uzi Vert can get any girl he wants now the he has money.  It speaks to how impressionable money is, as well as the prevalence of shallowness. The first and final lyrics of the chorus basically sums up the big idea: “I remember she said fuck me, now that girl wanna fuck me /… And when you got this type of money, you are never ugly.” Facts for sure.  “Prices” is a slight change of pace, at least in regard to the instrumental background.  Sure, the busy trap beat still goes strong but otherwise, the music itself is warmer – quite lovely, even as it remains firmly planted in a minor key.  Even so, Uzi continues to barrel through his rhymes, rapping in beastly fashion.

“Urgency” 

✓ “Urgency” ranks among the most beautiful songs from Eternal Atake. It’s starkly different from the majority of the album to be honest.  It also marks the final persona of the album, apparently.  You don’t usually characterize ‘trap’ as beautiful, but lots of aspects of this particular record earn it that characterization.  For one, Syd serves as a featured guest, and she sounds absolutely stunning.  That said, Liz Uzi Vert ‘does his thing’ singing, bringing a blend of emo and R&B flare.  The most memorable lyric naturally occurs on the chorus: “Treat my dark skin like my redbone, yeah / Tell my redbone call my red phone, yeah.”

“Venetia” retains the pitch, keeping things melodic.  Compared to “Urgency,” however, he’s a bit more, um, aggressive.  There are a couple of examples, such as “And she will suck on this dick if she old enough to vote,” as well as the cringe-worthy, totally overconfident, “I can make a gay girl turn to a straight.” Not a good look but sadly, rappers have made this assertion numerous times.

As is the case throughout Eternal Atake, “Secure the Bag” gives Uzi another opportunity to show his vocal versatility.  Does he say much in his continual, melodic approach? No, but it’s a vibe… “P2” arrives as the ‘standard’ closing cut.  The vibe continues to be ripe – melodic, emo sensibility, and nice production by TM88.  It’s not game changing, but respectable.  At this point, there have been stronger records, with “Urgency” being the strongest of this quartet.

Two bonus tracks arrive at the end of Eternal Atake.  Arguably, ✓ “Futsal Shuffle 2000” is the best of the two.  The production is epic, with Lil Uzi Vert enlisting Brandon Finessin, Loesoe, Mayyzo, and star boy.  What makes it shine? The synths and of course, the beat.  Perfect fuel for Uzi’s fire.  ✓ “That Way” may ‘play second fiddle,’ but it’s no slouch.  It’s another instance where Uzi is emo (which he admits), but also, it interpolates – wait for it – Backstreet Boys (“I Want it That Way”).  It probably shouldn’t work but hey, “That Way” is a bop as well.

Final Thoughts 

So, how does Eternal Atake stack up? First and foremost, it’s nice to have Lil Uzi Vert back, and he showcases what we’ve been missing for more than two years.  While Eternal Atake is no masterpiece, it has more than its fair share of energetic and memorable performances.  The aggressive Baby Pluto section of the album goes the hardest, but there’s at least a couple of noteworthy songs from each.  All in all, a worthwhile listen, even though you wish that Uzi Vert would finesse his rhymes (more substance) to match such a compelling delivery and flow.

✓ Gems: “Baby Pluto,” “Lo Mein,” “Silly Watch,” “Homecoming,” “Celebration Station,” “Urgency,” “Futsal Shuffle 2000” & “That Way”

Lil Uzi Vert • Eternal Atake • Atlantic • Release: 3.6.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic