Like most people, I wasn't really that interested in Lil Uzi Vert until the release of "XO Tour Llif3" launched him into the spotlight. However, considering how good his breakthrough single was I actually found myself looking forward to his debut album "Luv Is Rage 2," which can be found on YouTube, iTunes or Spotify. Now that it's been released for a little less than a week, the question remains; does it live up to the hype?
Going into the album, it's easy to tell Uzi had at least some sort of theme in mind. Many of his more expressive songs revolve around his rocky relationship and eventual breakup with ex-girlfriend Brittany Byrd, blending upbeat melodies with somber, dissonant lyrics to create a uniquely tense atmosphere. The best songs on "Luv Is Rage 2" such as "The Way Life Goes" and "Dark Queen" play to Uzi's strengths as a performer and show off his range of expression.
When Uzi's at his best, he presents commonly held feelings of betrayal and heartbreak in unique and intriguing ways. Uzi's unique brand of energy also works wonders with the few features he has on the project. Both "Neon Guts" featuring Pharrell and "UnFazed" featuring The Weeknd bring out the best from each respective guest and play strongly into Uzi's jovial or dark vibes.
Unfortunately, when an artist starts to delve into such personal topics, their lyricism cannot continue to be ignored. As many would expect, Uzi falls flat in this regard. Songs like "444+222" and "For Real" don't offer the same intricate beats or emotional impact that other songs on "Luv Is Rage 2" provides. These would be redeemable if they were accompanied with solid bars, but Uzi simply doesn't bring enough to the table to make these tunes work.
This problem doesn't just apply to the bangers; a lot of the personal tracks on the project are polluted by random lines about designer clothes or stealing your girl, making it hard for new listeners to take him seriously. It's good that Uzi can create such a wide array of vibes, but if he wants to find recognition as "one of the greatest to ever do it" (as stated in "Sauce It Up") he needs to reach deeper than the surface and ultimately find consistency.
I asked earlier, does "Luv Is Rage 2" live up to the hype? Well, the answer to that is dependent on what you're looking for in an album. Dedicated Uzi fans should feel content with this project due to how closely it adheres to his unique style and aesthetic.
If you only have a passing interest in him, keep an open mind but don't enter the album expecting an hour worth of Personally I feel that the album was much more enjoyable than it was good, but I have hope that Uzi can captivate the world in the future like he did with "XO Tour Llif3."