Five years ago, SZA burst onto the music scene with her debut album, CTRL, and she has been captivating audiences ever since with her unique brand of R&B and pop. CTRL was a 14-track record packed with love, intimacy, self-doubt, and heartbreak—became one of R&B's most influential albums. CTRL was the soundtrack for many people in their young adulthood, illustrating the growing pains that come with that time in your life. SZA's transparency and genuine honesty, combined with amazingly relatable lyrics full of diary-like musings made her debut so memorable. Her ability to turn deeply personal observations into relatable, intimate songs that also manage to feel untouchable is what sets her apart as an artist. On CTRL, SZA experimented with modern R&B and pop song structures, allowing her voice to weave in and out of the beats in a style reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and Minnie Riperton. With the release of CTRL, SZA proved that she was not afraid to buck traditional formulas and has continued to be a prolific and successful artist.

With her debut album, Ctrl, SZA took listeners on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. On her highly-anticipated sophomore LP, SOS, the St. Louis-born singer-songwriter delves into similar themes of love and relationships, but this time from a more confident and self-assured perspective. The album cover, featuring SZA perched on a diving board surrounded by the ocean, was inspired by a 1997 photograph of Princess Diana and conveys a sense of isolation. The album itself reflects the contradictions and complexities of SZA's emotions, as she alternates between feeling like a superwoman and a depressed individual sacrificing her well-being for others. She challenges the common dichotomy of the "Bad Bitch" and "Sad Girl" by filling in the emotional space between the two.

The album opens with the Morse code distress call and a sample of a gospel song, setting the tone for the rest of the record. Throughout the album, SZA demonstrates her growth as a songwriter and musician, experimenting with different genres and styles while remaining firmly rooted in the tradition of R&B. SZA demonstrates a weariness towards relationships that no longer serve her in multiple tracks on the album, such as "Smoking on My Ex Pack" and "Far." Standout tracks include "I Hate U," a powerful anthem with impressive vocals. SZA also experiments with country and pop-punk on "F2F," which deals with the theme of revenge sex. However, not every track on the album is about moving on and leaving past relationships behind. Some tracks like "Too Late" and "F2F" express SZA's tendency to make wrong decisions that may not end well for her and questions of self-worth in "Special". The album as a whole captures the ebbs and flows of emotions, with moments of strength and deep regret and sadness. Relationships and heartbreak are major themes on the album, with SZA not holding back in her lyrics. She sings about the possibility of killing her ex on "Kill Bill," and about the power of her own sexuality on "Blind." She expresses newfound confidence in her ability to find happiness without depending on a man in "Conceited" and "Forgiveless." The album as a whole captures the ebbs and flows of emotions, with moments of strength and deep regret and sadness.

SZA's growth as an artist is evident in both the lyrics and sonic elements of her sophomore album compared to her debut. She seamlessly blends a mix of her signature lo-fi beats with grunge and punk-inspired sounds. One standout example of this growth is the Phoebe Bridgers collaboration "Ghost in the Machine," where the duo delves into the complexities of fame and the search for humanity in their day-to-day interactions. The track showcases progressive instrumentation, featuring the use of strings and acoustic guitars, and the vocal performance is both haunting and captivating.

SOS is an album that showcases SZA's growth as a musician and her dedication to her craft. It's a powerful and honest album that is sure to resonate with fans of SZA and R&B in general. The album is a journey through the ups and downs of love and heartbreak, and SZA's unique voice and style make it a must-listen. I am always excited to see what SZA will come up with next, and SOS did not disappoint. It's a strong and honest album that showcases SZA's growth as a musician and her dedication to her craft. If you're a fan of SZA or R&B in general, this album is definitely worth a listen.

Tracks to Add to Your Playlist

Kill Bill

Low

Blind

Used

Snooze

Conceited

Too Late

Shirt

Apex Rating

4.5/5