A$AP MOB: “COZY TAPES VOL. 2”

Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy is an upbeat playlist, perfect to listen to when you wanna make things more lively, as expected and similar to Cozy Tapes Vol. 1.

The anticipation for the tape wasn’t too high, considering the members didn’t post too much about it before dropping it but also because people weren’t really expecting it this soon.

Comparing this tape to the previous, I honestly would say I prefer Vol. 1 due to its creative aspect. The beats in this tape seemed a bit less intricate in comparison to the first which were more unique. However, I still like the album and respect it for what it is and who made it.

The album is comprised of 14 songs and three skits. I honestly thought the skits were a good addition, especially when listening to it for the first time. My favorite thing to do when a new album comes out is listen to it all the way through from beginning to end and while doing that with Cozy Tapes the unexpected aspect of the skits added to the overall experience. Usually I find skits in albums unnecessary and frankly, not entertaining, but here I found them funny and relatable for today’s culture.

This tape had a lot more features than the previous, which I really liked. With the addition of members of Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, Key, Gucci Mane, Playboi Carti, Big Sean, and Quavo, the tape was very homey and you could tell it was a good time for all of them to make. Having many East Coast rappers also contributed to the family vibe.

“What Happens” is an upbeat, iconically (b)east coast song, as it features members of Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies. The mixture of their flows together provides a dark type of hyped up mood which is always fun to listen to and the features on the song make it that much more dope to beast coast fans.

Smooky Margiela is also featured on this tape, an artist who wasn’t very well known beforehand. I suspect A$AP Mob is helping to put him on, kind of like when they put Carti under their wings. I love how a lot of my favorite artists came together and collaborated to make such a variety of dope songs. This just what I needed.

LIL UZI VERT: “LUV IS RAGE 2”

Lil Uzi Vert blessed us with Luv Is Rage 2, a tape we’ve all been anticipating for two years. While Luv Is Rage had a lot of bangers in it – like the classics “All My Chains,” “Super Saiyan and “7AM”– the sequel has a refreshing but familiar take on Uzi’s style.

Looking back, the last track on Luv Is Rage, Paradise, is almost like a prelude to the type of music that’s on the sequel. While Uzi & Brittany are no longer together, it reminds me of the type of cute songs he would write when they were together, when he was in “luv” and happy.

The beats are just as symphonic as always with a multitude of different sounds incorporated to make the experience that much better. His voice is still as Uzi as ever and the autotune precision has only increased in professionalism.

Of course, a few songs have the voice of the girl who was originally featured talking on the first tape makes a reappearance bringing even more familiarity to the sequel. It’s clear that Uzi wanted to keep pieces of himself from his old style but still create new, quality content so he may prosper as any good artist does and he executed this well.

In the tape as a whole, Uzi sounds happy. He sounds like he’s living his best life and making the most of it just trying to be the best Uzi he can be. Through his music, he’s inspiring fans much like myself to be happy or at least wait to be because you will eventually.

My personal favorite track thus far is The Way Life Goes it’s so cute and careless and upbeat and just la-dee-da. The second the beat starts colors take over my mind and illustrate the song. This one repeating line is my favorite part, Uzi’s out here singing in different pitches that “you’ll get over it” . His beautiful vocals and autotune make me believe that life is as simple as getting over it.

Luv Is Rage 2 is just what I needed – a refreshing upbeat tape to listen to in any sort of situation I may be in.