By Ava Nicols, Sports Editor and Jack Brooks, Staff Writer
After five-and-a-half years, SZA released her long-awaited album SOS, the follow-up to her debut album Ctrl circa 2017.
Solána Imani Rowe (SZA) won her first-ever Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the top three Billboard hit “Kiss Me More” with Doja Cat. It was during her speech that she revealed her long-awaited album is finished and coming very soon.
Leading up to the release, and building the suspense of her fans, she dropped singles to hint at the upcoming album. “Hit Different” was publicized in September 2020, preceding the release of the next one, “Good Days”, which came out on Christmas of 2020.
In August of 2022, “I Hate U” went mainstream, and “Shirt” followed shortly after in late October. After 2 years of teasing the single across social media as an “unreleased track,” fans were excited and eager for more music.
At the end of November, she posted the album cover on her Instagram. The singer sat on a diving board wearing a baseball jersey as she looked out over the ocean. Critics argue that SZA seems to have recreated the infamous paparazzi picture of Princess Diana on a yacht for her cover.
In a little over an hour, listeners can now indulge in 23 tracks that show SZA’s talent to transform deeply personal observations into songs that feel intimate, relatable, and unique all at once.
While Ctrl mostly leaned on electric guitars and R&B instrumental tracks, SOS weaves in styles of trap, pop, indie, and soul. At the same time, SZA’s unforgettable vocals are apparent through the vulnerable lyrics she sings.
SZA was able to take all the best parts of Ctrl, which explained the view of control in her life and expand them into her new album. SOS displays SZA’s experience with falling into relationships that turn into unhealthy codependency of love that turns to hatred and back again.
One of her new songs, “Love Language” mixes in lyrics from her 2020 song “Hit Different,” which features Ty Dolla $ign. However, “Hit Different” is not included on the album’s tracklist.
“Snooze,” showcases her vocals with a calming beat as they emphasize wanting to be present for every moment with the person you love.
Many famous artists are also featured throughout the tracklist. SZA joined with Don Toliver on “Used,” Phoebe Bridgers on “Ghost in the Machine,” and a previous collaborator Travis Scott on “Open Arms.”
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