“’Eternal Atake’ just dropped!”

The words that many Lil Uzi Vert fans (who were originally anticipating the release in two weeks) heard today after one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year released on all streaming platforms.

With plenty of dancing in the hallway, red faces filled with joy, and people just completely savoring this moment, Lil Uzi Vert has shaken the spirits of my classmates, and myself with disbelief. This album has been awaited since Uzi’s first mention of it in 2018. After many speculations, and hopes for how the album will turn out, it is finally here. After three years of being dormant, doing features, and label issues, Lil Uzi Vert has given us a solid piece of work.

Since I first heard of Lil Uzi in my eighth-grade year, I was captivated. This album has proven why me, and many other fans love him. Today has genuinely been a monumental day for Lil Uzi fans and makes me feel the same way as when I was first introduced to the rapper.

The album serves many electric and intergalactic beats; hence, the album cover’s space-themed visuals. It’s a flow that many fans may have heard in plenty of his leaks, however, the album is still keeping us on our toes.

The previously released singles “Futsal Shuffle 2020” and “That Way” are listed as bonus songs; however, there are so many different components to this album. The smooth transitions and beats are otherworldly. My friend Elijah, a 17-year old at McClarin High School describes the album as “being like Universal Studios” and it really couldn’t be said any better than that. Songs like “Homecoming” give plenty of bass, bells, and sounds of rain. The album is completely going against traditional sound and testing untraditional beats.

There are also plenty of skits incorporated into many of the songs, which brings back memories of the ones heard in his debut project, “LUV is Rage.” The album is nothing other than a long-awaited masterpiece.

“Eternal Atake’s” songs legit have singing and vocals in the background, that might just make listeners cry (or think they’re listening to some sort of gospel). There are pockets of surprises everywhere that make the album so magical.

Songs like “Chrome Heart Tags” (produced by Chief Keef) and “Bust Me” are truly melodic, and give listeners a chilling feeling, taking a whole trip to other places. The album gets even better with “Prices,” featuring a beautiful remixed sample of Travis Scott’s “way back,” and “P2” with Uzi sampling his own song “X.O Tour Life.”

The album has an array of sounds that can appeal to any listener. It’s as if the album has a switch from the usual lit beats and sounds, to a melodic and outer body vibe. Love songs like “Urgency” featuring Syd (which happens to be the only feature), gutta songs like “POP” and “Homecoming,” and lastly, songs like “I’m Sorry” that are just pure bliss.

There is a lot to be said about this album, and there will be even more after today’s surprise release. With all of the music that has been released, and is set to be released this year, this album is definitely a staple. The project’s diversity in sounds differentiates itself from many other projects we’ve heard since 2019 and going into 2020.

Lil Uzi Vert has proven that “he don’t miss,” like fans often say. This release truly has me wondering what’s next for this year in music, and if this project can be topped. Now, we wait for all the merch, tours and music videos Uzi has in store to complement today’s release.

This is just the start of a captivating year yet to come. Are you ready? I sure am.

India Rice, 17, Westlake High School is completely speechless and ecstatic about this year in music. She’s gonna keep futsaling into the year.