Above photo: Lil Yachty’s second album “Lil Boat 2” dropped Friday and includes several big name features such as Quavo from Migos and 2 Chains. Courtesy of Quality Control Records
By Jonah Hinebaugh
It seems Lil Yachty sailed off in one boat but has returned in another.
Dropping his sophomore album “Lil Boat 2” Friday, Yachty looked to redeem himself after a widely rejected “Teenage Emotions.”
Yachty, the often goofy and upbeat artist from Atlanta, Georgia, made a name for himself with his mixtape “Lil Boat,” which landed him on XXL’s 2016 freshman list.
While his sophomore album showed a lot of improvement and mimics the best aspects of the mixtape, it finds itself muddled in the bubblegum trap of Yachty’s hypnotizing autotune at some points.
It is saturated with a load of features ranging from veteran artists such as Quavo from Migos and 2 Chainz to rising stars like Trippie Redd and Lil Baby. Having such talent is a bonus and helps in giving it a mainstream platform, but these artists sometimes steal the spotlight. It even feels like Yachty is relying on their support to keep the album on its feet.
The Shuffler-produced “Self Made” kicks off the album with a heavy synth and 808 beat that Yachty glides upon and is reminiscent of his original mixtape. The beat is assertive and tight, like his flow, making it a memorable opener that sets the stage for Yachty to prove he can provide an entertaining and worthy album.
One example of Yachty’s reluctance to sail out on his own is “Baby Daddy,” where after a short and lazy hook he just hands it off to Miami-based artist Lil Pump and Offset, another member of Migos.
Both deliver much more focused verses over a funk-inspired beat. This beat wouldn’t usually pair well with these “trap” stars, but producer 30 Roc found a way to twist it into a song reminiscent of a coked-out 80s disco club.
Out of 17 songs over half have features, but one of the few solo songs “Count Me In” reveals the determination Yachty often lacks, whether it be on an album or on the internet.
Often artists won’t stray away from constructions of songs that garnered them notoriety.
If you know Yachty, then you know “Minnesota,” one of the most catchy and strange tracks from Lil Boat; there’s a strong parallel to it on “She Ready.”
Right out of the gates listeners are drawn in by whistling melodies and scratchy, high-pitched vocals, giving it a quirk that makes it stand out among the rest. PnB Rock does an admirable job adding a distinctive yet complementary verse to give that track an extra push to avoid falling flat.
Yachty shines on songs like the light-hearted “Love Me Forever” with a sweet and harmonious pairing of his voice and the Buddah Bless’ beat, and the in-your-face style of “FWM” highlights his ability to drop more straightforward rap verses — something the original mixtape lacked.
It’s interesting that a lot of the airy, almost atmospheric beats give a lot of leeway for Yachty and his contemporaries to have fun and add their own personal style to each track.
One of the most important tools to incorporate in an album is a strong beginning and an even stronger ending that leaves its mark on the listener. With “Self Made” and “Oops” to give the album high expectations at the start, the final two tracks bring it back to life, whereas the middle stagnates at points affecting the album as a whole.
Trippie Redd’s influence on the final track “66” is definitely a highlight. It’s impossible to deny the incredible pairing with Yachty. Reiterated time and time again Yachty focuses on autotuned streamed tracks much like Trippie Redd. The similar style and expectations in beats gives them chemistry. There’s no doubt fans of either artist will hate this song though; it’s too catchy with a contagious beat by DY, from the well-known 808 Mafia group.
Yachty is known as an upbeat teenager enjoying the perks of fame. This album shows his dark, aggressive side, which was an unexpected twist for fans. This contrast from his original mixtape encapsulates that he is dichotic and doesn’t fit into molds fans and critics try to place him in.
