Lil Uzi Vert – Love Is Rage 2 2LP

Description

After the steady release of EPs and mixtapes in the three years following his debut, Philadelphia rapperLil Uzi Vertfinally issued his first official studio full-length in 2017. A sequel to his 2015 mixtape,Luv Is Rage 2celebratedUzi‘s rapid ascent in the hip-hop world, marking his mainstream breakthrough with the single “XO Tour Llife3” and peaking at the top spot of the Billboard 200. While production — courtesy ofDon Cannon,TM88,Metro Boomin,WondaGurl, and more — improved upon that of his mixtapes, the colorful lyrical content remained as dark, hedonistic, and candid as ever, withUzilayering rhymes about sex and drugs atop vulnerable moments relating to a tough breakup. Despite featuring high-profile guests likePharrell Williams(“Neon Guts”) andthe Weeknd(“UnFazed”),Uzifares better on his own, his oddball personality and endearing uniqueness adding flavor to highlights like “Two ” and “Sauce It Up.” A sample ofOh Wonder‘s “Landslide” elevates single “The Way Life Goes,” a melodic pop moment that findsUziin a tender and yearning state. The catchiness of the track is contrasted by its dour subject matter, givingLuv Is Rage 2an appreciable depth. The hypnotic “For Real” bounces along a blipping beat; provided byDJ PluggandBobby Kritical, it’s one of the best produced moments on the album. For pure thrills, “Early 20 Rager” booms, a stomping stand out that injects an undeniable energy toLuv Is Rage 2. AlthoughUzi‘s post-breakup pain rears its head throughout the entirety of the album, many of the tracks are too fun to get too bogged down in emotions. -All Music Guide