Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake (Dlx) – LUV vs. The World 2 | Album Review 💿

After releasing Eternal Atake, Lil Uzi Vert returns with the ‘deluxe edition,’ essentially an entirely new album, LUV vs. The World 2.   

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 (March 13^th).  After reviewing Eternal Atake, the focus on this review is solely on LUV vs. The World 2. Notably, LUV vs. The World 2 has more superstar features than Eternal Atake. Also, like Eternal Atake, LUV vs. The World 2 has its fair share of compelling moments.

“Myron”

“Stay so fresh, so clean, think they like me / I wear more Supreme than a hypebeast / Only blue, no, green don’t excite me / I could make a ho out your wifey…” ✓ “Myron” commences LUV vs. The World 2 with ample fire.  The Supah Mario/Oogie Mane production work is incredibly energetic and L-I-T, anchored by a knocking trap beat. Even during moments where the beat doesn’t accompany the instrumental, the synths carry the rhythm without a hitch.  As for Lil Uzi Vert, well, he’s turned the F up, from the potent opening chorus (excerpted above), throughout the confident, drip-heavy verses.

Oogie Mane remains one of the producers on “Lotus,” joined by Don Cannon and Treshaun Beats. Like “Myron” that precedes, the hard, knocking beat is one of the features that truly stands out, particularly how it’s syncopated.  As for Uzi, he’s fully committed to his melodic side here, delivering a slippery, syrupy performance, where the rhymes seem to slide right into one another. If nothing else, he drops another infectious chorus, even if nothing he serves up is transcendent. 

On ✓ “Bean (Kobe),” he welcomes the first of many featured guests on LUV vs. The World 2, Chief Keef.  With another syrupy, high-pitched melodic performance from Uzi, naturally, the lower-pitched vocals from Keef provide a stark contrast.  I’d even go so far as to say a welcome one, which isn’t something I often say about the “Love Sosa” rapper. He’s melodic as well but may earn higher marks than the lead artist on this particular joint.

“Yessirskiii”

The features keep rolling in, with 21 Savage taking ‘first blood’ on ✓ “Yessirskiii.” Even if you’re a Christian, admit it, the “I don’t go to church, I curse (On God)” is a killer line.  Also, in addition to owning the first and third verses, 21 also handles the chorus, maintaining his typical, deadpan approach.  Hmm, is Lil Uzi Vert the featured guest on his own song? Uzi doesn’t fall into the trap of being upstaged on “Wassup” – well – at least he asserts himself early on.  What does his assertion entail? An infectious, though simplistic chorus (“What’s up?”), the ‘post-chorus,’ and the first verse.  Of course, Future is true to self on the second verse without reinventing the wheel, referencing F&Ns, Richard Mille, and Margielas.

Not that LUV vs. The World 2 has had any shortage of bangers, but ✓ “Strawberry Peels” is a totally undisputed one. Furthermore, it doesn’t even end up being two minutes in duration! Here, Lil Uzi Vert enlists the services of Young Thug and Gunna, letting his featured guests drop their bars first.  He also gives Young Thug the best part of record, besides the banging production that is (Wheezy) – the chorus! “Strawberry peels, strawberry peels” – you get the idea. Uzi delivers a quartet of solo cuts beginning with “I Can Show You,” another brief but energetic joint.  Oogie Mane fixes him up with another potent backdrop.

“Moon Relate” 

“I Can Show You” is interesting, but “Moon Relate” is far more intriguing. Danny Wolf and Kid808 give Uzi some sick 808sand synths to melodically spit atop. As he has been throughout LUV vs. The World 2, Uzi is turned-up, and quite agile in regard to his flow.  The question is, how exactly does “Me and the moon relate?” Apparently, Uzi isn’t from earth – that’s about the size of it. On “Come This Way,” the rapper changes his vocal inflections throughout, so much so, you may think there are multiple rappers on the track.  What doesn’t change is his confidence, specifically, his abilities to ‘steal your girl’ (not the first time he’s mentioned it on Eternal Atake or LUV vs. The World 2).  Give him credit for the druggy lyric, “Yeah, she in my kitchen, whip it up like Benihana” – then again, maybe not, lol.

On the second ‘This Way,’ “Trap This Way (This Way),” Uzi’s main focus is throwing his money at strippers.  Yep, that’s about the size of it.  Ultimately, “That girl not mine so I’m still alone / Said she’s DTF for tickets to the show / Yeah, I have it my way when I’m on the road.” Classy AF, right? Sure, “Trap This Way” is shallowly catchy, but ✓ “No Auto” goes harder, enlisting Lil Durk for an excellent, hard-nosed opening verse.  As for Uzi, he gives us straight bars on the second verse of this brief cut, which is a welcome change of pace. There’s nothing game changing or transcendent about the rhymes, let alone the chorus (“Oh, you scared, huh? Oh, you pussy?”), but it ranks among the better joints from LUV vs. The World 2.

“Money Spread” 

I wouldn’t call “Money Spread” sexy, but it’s definitely sexed-up – understatement.  On the chorus, Lil Uzi Vert spits:

“She said, ‘Lil Uzi, please, can you eat me out?
I said, ‘No, I cannot, I could beat it out’
Put it in her, she screamin’ like, ‘Take it out’ (Ouch)…” 

Young Nudy is equally sexed-up, horny, perverted – you take your pick.  On the second verse, he’s definitely focused on his nuts:

“Yeah, your ho is a slut, hit her from the back, nigga, in her guts
Yeah, slap it on her butt, whole lotta white stuff on her butt
I know that ho freaky, she’s a nut
She just sucked me up, young nigga goin’ nuts…”

In addition to the ‘sexcapades,’ there’s drugs, drip – the usual suspects, supported by a Pierre Bourne backdrop.

“Got the Guap” arrives as the penultimate track on LUV vs. The World 2.  Once more, Young Thug serves as a featured guest, following his brilliant appearance on “Strawberry Peels.” Lil Uzi Vert sets the tone, dropping the intro, chorus, and first verse. Thugga delivers the second verse, contrasting Uzi, while maintaining the melodic sensibilities established by the Philadelphia rapper. The results are okay, but nothing life changing. “Leaders” concludes LUV vs. The World 2, featuring NAV… yeah… NAV, of course has gotten his fair share of criticism for the quality of his work, but he’s respectable enough here.  That said, I have to question why Uzi Vert would settle for such a minimal role on the closing cut of his own album? One verse, while NAV handles everything else?

Final Thoughts

So, how does LUV vs. The World 2 stack up? As aforementioned, it’s an enjoyable trap album with its fair share of compelling moments. It’s definitely great to hear Lil Uzi Vert back. Is this particular album (or disc, however you look at it) better than Eternal Atake? Eh. While it has more superstar features than Eternal Atake, I personally prefere Eternal Atake; I find it slightly more intriguing. Still, from a commercial standpoint, LUV vs. The World 2 packs a more sizable punch.  Won’t change your life, but it’s entertaining. [Note: Make sure you check out the Eternal Atake review].

Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake | Album Review 💿

✓ Gems: “Myron,” “Bean (Kobe),” “Yessirskiii,” “Strawberry Peels” & “No Auto”  

Lil Uzi Vert • Eternal Atake (Deluxe) – LUV vs. The World 2 • Atlantic • Release: 3.13.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic