{"id":695,"date":"2023-07-10T19:59:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T19:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2023\/07\/lil-uzi-vert-pink-tape-review\/"},"modified":"2023-07-10T19:59:48","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T19:59:48","slug":"lil-uzi-vert-pink-tape-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2023\/07\/lil-uzi-vert-pink-tape-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Lil Uzi Vert, \u2018Pink Tape\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Uzi Vert\u2019s Pink Tape<\/em> is a lengthy and daring album that gets lost in its array of visions, equipped with both career highs and lows. <\/p>\n

Philly hasn\u2019t had too many A-list rappers make it out the state. Symere Woods, aka Lil Uzi Vert, has been the torchbearer for new gen rap ever since 2015. They escaped the SoundCloud pigeonhole, contrary to certain gatekeepers\u2019 beliefs<\/a>, continuing to bag viral hits and number one albums. Colourful tunes are all across their formative mixtapes, as well as their first LPs, 2017\u2019s Luv Is Rage 2<\/a><\/em> and 2020\u2019s Eternal Atake<\/a><\/em>. Once again delivering a highly-anticipated release, Pink Tape<\/em> eventually arrived and became the first hip hop record to top the Billboard 200 in 2023, ending the longest gap in a calendar year since Cypress Hill\u2019s 1993 album, Black Sunday<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Time and time again, Uzi has insisted they\u2019re a rockstar. Pink Tape<\/em> very much fulfils that prophecy, though it comes at a cost of cohesion, lack of focus and plenty filler.<\/p>\n

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Kenneth Cappello<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pink<\/em> Tape<\/em> has a lot going on. At 87 minutes and 26 tracks, it is a massive commitment for a listener. There\u2019s a combination of genres in play, including Uzi\u2019s signature trap (\u201cFlooded the Face\u201d, \u201cOf Course), emo rap (\u201cAll Alone\u201d, \u201cMama, I\u2019m Sorry\u201d), Jersey club (\u201cJust Wanna Rock\u201d) and dedicated metal efforts (\u201cCS\u201d, \u201cWerewolf\u201d, \u201cThe End\u201d). It results in Uzi\u2019s most polarising record to date, swerving across multiple lanes for an experience of pure mayhem.<\/p>\n

Pink Tape<\/em> is at its best when it dares to be different. The punk rap \u201cSuicide Doors\u201d explodes into life with its brash electric guitars, charismatic vocal performances, and \u201cBITCH!\u201d adlibs. \u201cFire Alarm\u201d is a conclusively weird cut fit for a rave with flashing strobe lights. In the metal department, Uzi infamously covers System of a Down\u2019s \u201cChop Suey\u201d verbatim, leading to polarising reception from music communities. While it can never live up to the original, if you\u2019re accustomed to Uzi\u2019s nasal habits, \u201cCS\u201d is a valid cover. \u201cWerewolf\u201d recruits Bring Me the Horizon whom wisely dominate the track. The heaviest track comes in \u201cThe End\u201d with Japanese metal band Babymetal, their juvenile vocals contrasting the sharp production. In these moments, Uzi commits to the rockstar persona and comes the other side with key album highlights.<\/p>\n

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