Lil Uzi Vert has reportedly recorded 680 new songs for his next full-length album over the past 18 months. Of course, not all 680 songs will make the final cut, nor is it likely they’re all fully completed works. But that number raises a question – Is bulk recording at that level a good or bad creative process?
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of recording such a large volume of music in a relatively short period.
The Case For Bulk Recording
Writing and recording a large volume of music in a short period can have several advantages. For one, it allows an artist to experiment with new styles and sounds, which can lead to new creative breakthroughs.
The longer an artist remains in a creative zone, the more chances they have to find their voice, push their artistic boundaries, and take risks. This approach can help to keep an artist engaged and inspired in their work, which is especially important in an industry as fast-paced as music in the streaming era.
Additionally, recording a large volume of music can help an artist build a deeper connection with their fans — especially when they expect a prolific output — who appreciate the prospect of hearing new material from their favorite artist. This assumes a sizable portion of this batch of songs eventually sees the light of day.
The Case Against Bulk Recording
Conversely, quickly writing and recording a large volume of music can also have several disadvantages. Notably, it can lead to quality control issues, where an artist struggles to maintain consistent quality across all their work. When an artist is focused on creating a high volume of work, they may not take the time to refine and perfect each song.
Suppose a significant portion of the output is eventually released in a condensed campaign. In that case, it can also lead to oversaturation and fatigue among fans, who may struggle to keep up with the sheer volume of new material — even with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, who has trained his base to expect a lot.
Creating a large volume of music in a short period can also significantly strain an artist’s mental health and well-being. Musicians often work long hours and face intense pressure to create new and innovative work. When an artist attempts to create a high volume of music in a short period, this pressure can become overwhelming.
It’s common for artists to suffer from burnout, anxiety, and depression when balancing their workload with their personal life. In Lil Uzi Vert’s case, it’s possible that his mental health and well-being suffered in recording 680 songs in 18 months.
Moreover, the creative process can also be isolating. For an artist, creating music often means spending long hours in the studio, away from family and friends. This isolation can be particularly challenging when an artist is trying to create a high volume of music in a short period. It’s common for musicians to struggle with loneliness and feelings of disconnectedness when balancing their creative work with their personal life.
The Verdict
Recording a large volume of music in a short period can be a double-edged sword. While it allows an artist to explore new sounds and ideas, it can also lead to quality control issues, oversaturation, and mental strain. The toll that recording a large volume of music can take on an artist’s mental health and well-being is particularly concerning, as it highlights the need for artists to balance their creative work with their personal life.
