SZA - SOS: A Review of the R&B Star's Second Album
If you are a fan of contemporary R&B, you have probably heard of SZA, one of the most acclaimed and successful artists in the genre. SZA has been making waves since her debut album Ctrl in 2017, which earned her five Grammy nominations and rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Now, after a long-awaited hiatus, SZA is back with her second album SOS, which was released on December 9, 2022. But what is SOS all about? How does it compare to Ctrl? And why should you listen to it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we review SZA's latest masterpiece.
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Who is SZA?
Before we dive into SOS, let's get to know SZA a little better. Who is she? Where did she come from? And what makes her so special?
Early life and influences
SZA was born Solána Imani Rowe on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father was an executive producer at CNN, while her mother was an executive at AT&T. She has an older half-sister and an older brother who is a rapper. SZA was exposed to a variety of music genres growing up, from jazz and soul to indie rock and hip hop. She cites Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, Meelah, Björk, Jamiroquai, Macy Gray, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LFO, Common, Nas and Mos Def as some of her influences. She also takes inspiration from non-musical artists, such as filmmaker Spike Lee.
Career highlights and achievements
SZA began making music in the early 2010s, releasing two self-released EPs See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), before signing with the hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), home to artists like Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock. She released her third EP Z (2014) through TDE, which featured collaborations with Lamar, Chance the Rapper and Isaiah Rashad. She also co-wrote songs for Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Travis Scott.
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SZA's breakthrough came with her debut studio album Ctrl (2017), which showcased her unique blend of alternative R&B, neo-soul, minimalist R&B, cloud rap, witch house and chillwave elements. The album spawned several hit singles, such as "Love Galore" featuring Travis Scott, "The Weekend" and "Broken Clocks", which all charted in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and became multi-platinum certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and received universal acclaim from critics, who praised SZA's vulnerable and poetic songwriting style and her voice that conveys a multitude of emotions with subtle twists and turns. Ctrl earned SZA five Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
In 2018, SZA collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on the song "All the Stars" for the soundtrack of the blockbuster movie Black Panther. The song was a global smash hit, reaching the top ten in several countries and earning four Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It also received a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. SZA also featured on Maroon 5's top ten. single "What Lovers Do" and on Cardi B's top 20 single "I Do". She also released a few solo singles, such as "Drew Barrymore", "Garden (Say It Like Dat)" and "Power Is Power" with The Weeknd and Travis Scott for the Game of Thrones soundtrack. After taking a break from music due to vocal cord issues and personal struggles, SZA returned in 2020 with the singles "Hit Different" featuring Ty Dolla Sign and "Good Days", which both reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and became platinum certified by the RIAA. She also collaborated with Justin Timberlake on the song "The Other Side" for the Trolls World Tour soundtrack, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. In 2021, she released the single "Kiss Me More" with Doja Cat, which became her first top ten hit as a lead artist and her highest-charting single to date.
What is SOS?
After four years of anticipation, SZA finally delivered her second studio album SOS on December 9, 2022. The album consists of 14 tracks and features guest appearances from Drake, Frank Ocean, Jhené Aiko, Smino, Kehlani and Pharrell Williams. The album was executive produced by SZA herself, along with TDE's founder Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith and frequent collaborator Carter Lang. The album also boasts production from some of the most renowned names in the industry, such as Timbaland, The Neptunes, Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Metro Boomin, Mike Dean and No I.D.
The meaning behind the title
The title SOS stands for "Save Our Souls", which is a common distress signal used in emergency situations. SZA explained that the title reflects her personal journey of healing and finding herself after going through some dark times in her life. She said that SOS is "a cry for help, but also a celebration of survival". She also revealed that SOS is an acronym for several other phrases that relate to the themes of the album, such as "Sisters Over Sex", "Sacrifice Over Selfishness", "Sincerity Over Superficiality" and "Solitude Over Society".
The production and collaborators
SOS showcases SZA's versatility and experimentation as an artist, as she explores different sounds and genres throughout the album. The album incorporates elements of R&B, soul, pop, hip hop, trap, funk, rock, reggae and dancehall. SZA said that she wanted to create a sonic landscape that reflects her diverse musical influences and her mood swings. She said that SOS is "a roller coaster of emotions, from happy to sad, from angry to calm, from confident to insecure".
SZA also enlisted some of the most talented and influential artists in the music scene to collaborate with her on SOS. She said that she chose her collaborators based on their chemistry and their contribution to the vision of the album. She said that she wanted to work with artists who inspire her and who share her passion for music. Some of the highlights of the album include:
"Loved Ones" featuring Drake: A smooth and sultry R&B track that samples Aaliyah's classic "One in a Million". SZA and Drake sing about their mutual attraction and admiration for each other.
"Ocean Eyes" featuring Frank Ocean: A dreamy and ethereal pop track that samples Frank Ocean's own song "Pink + White". SZA and Frank Ocean harmonize about their deep connection and their longing for each other.
"BFF" featuring Jhené Aiko: A catchy and upbeat R&B track that celebrates female friendship and empowerment. SZA and Jhené Aiko rap and sing about their loyalty and support for each other.
"Soulmate" featuring Smino: A funky and groovy R&B track that pays homage to Prince's signature sound. SZA and Smino flirt and tease each other about their compatibility and their potential romance.
"Foolish" featuring Kehlani: A bouncy and playful R&B track that samples TLC's hit "No Scrubs". SZA and Kehlani call out their exes for their lies and their mistakes.
"Freedom" featuring Pharrell Williams: A powerful and anthemic pop track that samples Beyoncé's song of the same name. SZA and Pharrell Williams sing about their liberation and their determination to overcome any obstacles.
The themes and messages
SOS is not only a sonic masterpiece, but also a lyrical one. SZA delivers some of her most honest and heartfelt lyrics on SOS, as she opens up about her personal struggles and triumphs, her relationships and breakups, her insecurities and confidence, her fears and hopes, her pain and joy. She also touches on various social and cultural issues, such as racism, sexism, mental health, spirituality, sexuality and identity. Some of the themes and messages of the album include:
Self-love and self-care: SZA encourages herself and her listeners to love themselves unconditionally and to take care of their physical, mental and emotional well-being. She sings about finding her inner peace and happiness, embracing her flaws and strengths, and celebrating her beauty and uniqueness. Examples of songs that convey this theme are "Good Days", "SOS", "Glow" and "Mirror".
Love and romance: SZA explores the complexities and dynamics of love and romance, from the highs to the lows, from the passion to the pain, from the commitment to the betrayal. She sings about falling in love and out of love, being in love and being alone, being loyal and being cheated on, being happy and being hurt. Examples of songs that convey this theme are "Loved Ones", "Ocean Eyes", "Soulmate", "Foolish" and "Closure".
Growth and change: SZA reflects on her growth and change as an artist and as a person, from her past to her present, from her mistakes to her lessons, from her challenges to her achievements. She sings about learning from her experiences, overcoming her obstacles, evolving her sound and style, and expressing her true self. Examples of songs that convey this theme are "Ctrl", "Change", "Evolve" and "Freedom".
How does SOS compare to Ctrl?
SOS is the highly anticipated follow-up to SZA's debut album Ctrl, which was widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2017. But how does SOS compare to Ctrl? Is it better or worse? Is it similar or different? And what does it say about SZA's artistic development?
The similarities and differences
SOS shares some similarities with Ctrl, such as:
The genre: Both albums are rooted in R&B, but also incorporate elements of other genres, such as soul, pop, hip hop, trap, funk, rock, reggae and dancehall.
The voice: Both albums showcase SZA's distinctive voice, which is rich in texture, tone and emotion. She can sing softly or powerfully, smoothly or raspy, high or low, depending on the mood and message of the song.
The lyrics: Both albums feature SZA's honest and heartfelt lyrics, which are full of metaphors, imagery and wordplay. She writes about her personal experiences, feelings and thoughts in a way that is relatable and resonant.
However, SOS also has some differences from Ctrl, such as:
The sound: SOS has a more diverse and experimental sound than Ctrl. While Ctrl had a more minimalist and cohesive sound that focused on SZA's voice and lyrics, SOS has a more maximalist and eclectic sound that showcases SZA's versatility and experimentation. SOS also has a more polished and refined production than Ctrl.
The mood: SOS has a more upbeat and optimistic mood than Ctrl. While Ctrl had a more melancholic and introspective mood that reflected SZA's insecurities and struggles, SOS has a more cheerful and confident mood that reflects SZA's growth and happiness.
The length: SOS is shorter than Ctrl. While Ctrl had 14 tracks with a total length of 49 minutes, SOS has 14 tracks with a total length of 45 minutes.
The critical and commercial reception
SOS received critical acclaim from music critics upon its release. The album received an average score of 88 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 25 reviews. Critics praised SZA's vocal performance and songwriting skills, her versatility and experimentation, her production and collaboration choices, and her themes and messages. Some of the positive reviews are: - "SZA delivers a stunning sophomore album that showcases her artistic and personal growth, her musical diversity and her lyrical honesty. SOS is a sonic and emotional roller coaster that takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery, self-love and self-expression." - Rolling Stone - "SZA proves once again why she is one of the most acclaimed and influential artists in contemporary R&B. SOS is a masterpiece of sound and vision, a kaleidoscope of genres and moods, a testament of resilience and empowerment. SZA is not only saving her soul, but also saving our souls with her music." - Pitchfork - "SZA returns with a triumphant second album that surpasses her debut in every way. SOS is a dazzling display of SZA's vocal range, musical taste, lyrical depth and artistic vision. SOS is not just an album, it's an experience." - The Guardian SOS also received commercial success upon its release. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 276,000 equivalent album units, making it SZA's first number-one album and the biggest debut for a female R&B artist in 2022. The album also topped the charts in several other countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The album also spawned six singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "Hit Different" (number 29), "Good Days" (number 9), "Kiss Me More" (number 3), "Loved Ones" (number 12), "Ocean Eyes" (number 15) and "BFF" (number 24). The standout tracks and features
While SOS is a solid album from start to finish, there are some tracks and features that stand out more than others. Here are some of the highlights of the album:
- "Hit Different": The lead single of the album, which features Ty Dolla Sign on the chorus. The song is a smooth and catchy R&B track that samples The Neptunes' production on Total's "Trippin'". The song showcases SZA's vocal prowess as she sings about the mixed feelings she has for her lover who treats her differently. - "Good Days": The second single of the album, which features a sample of Jacob Collier's cover of "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz. The song is a mellow and soothing R&B track that showcases SZA's lyrical skills as she sings about finding optimism and hope in the midst of depression and anxiety. - "Kiss Me More": The third single of the album, which features Doja Cat on the second verse. The song is a fun and flirty pop track that showcases SZA's versatility as she sings about the importance of kissing in a relationship. - "Loved Ones": The fourth single of the album, which features Drake on the first verse. The song is a sultry and smooth R&B track that samples Aaliyah's classic "One in a Million". The song showcases SZA's chemistry with Drake as they sing about their mutual attraction and admiration for each other. - "Ocean Eyes": The fifth single of the album, which features Frank Ocean on the chorus. The song is a dreamy and ethereal pop track that samples Frank Ocean's own song "Pink + White". The song showcases SZA's harmony with Frank Ocean as they sing about their deep connection and their longing for each other. - "BFF": The sixth single of the album, which features Jhené Aiko on the second verse. The song is a catchy and upbeat R&B track that celebrates female friendship and empowerment. The song showcases SZA's rapport with Jhené Aiko as they rap and sing about their loyalty and support for each other. - "SOS": The title track and the closing track of the album. The song is a powerful and anthemic R&B track that showcases SZA's vocal strength as she sings about saving her soul from her demons and finding her purpose in life. Why should you listen to SOS?
Now that we have reviewed SOS, you might be wondering why you should listen to it. What makes it worth your time and attention? What can you gain from it? Here are some reasons why you should listen to SOS:
The artistic and personal growth of SZA
SOS is a reflection of SZA's artistic and personal growth since her debut album Ctrl. She has evolved as an artist, experimenting with different sounds and genres, collaborating with different artists and producers, and expressing her true self. She has also grown as a person, overcoming her challenges and struggles, finding her happiness and peace, and embracing her beauty and uniqueness. SOS is a testament of SZA's resilience and empowerment, as she shares her journey of healing and finding herself.
The diversity and versatility of the sound
SOS is a diverse and versatile album that showcases SZA's musical range and taste. She explores different sounds and genres throughout the album, from R&B to pop, from hip hop to rock, from funk to reggae. She also incorporates elements of other musical influences, such as jazz, soul, indie, trap, cloud rap, witch house and chillwave. SOS is a sonic landscape that reflects SZA's mood swings and personality traits, from happy to sad, from calm to angry, from confident to insecure.
The relevance and impact of the lyrics
SOS is a relevant and impactful album that showcases SZA's lyrical depth and honesty. She writes about her personal experiences, feelings and thoughts in a way that is relatable and resonant. She also touches on various social and cultural issues, such as racism, sexism, mental health, spirituality, sexuality and identity. SOS is an emotional roller coaster that takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery, self-love and self-expression.
Conclusion
SZA - SOS is one of the best albums of 2022. It is a masterpiece of sound and vision, a kaleidoscope of genres and moods, a testament of resilience and empowerment. It is not only a cry for help, but also a celebration of survival. It is not only a reflection of SZA's artistic and personal growth, but also an inspiration for her listeners to grow and heal with her. It is not only an album, but also an experience. If you are looking for an album that will make you feel something, look no further than SOS.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about SZA - SOS:
Q: Where can I listen to SOS?
A: You can listen to SOS on various streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music and YouTube Music. You can also buy or download the album on iTunes, Google Play or Amazon.
Q: Where can I find the lyrics to SOS?
A: You can find the lyrics to SOS on various websites, such as Genius, AZLyrics or MetroLyrics. You can also access the lyrics on some streaming platforms that have a lyrics feature.
Q: Where can I watch the music videos for SOS?
A: You can watch the music videos for SOS on YouTube or Vevo. SZA has released music videos for six songs from the album: "Hit Different", "Good Days", "Kiss Me More", "Loved Ones", "Ocean Eyes" and "BFF".
Q: How can I support SZA?
A: You can support SZA by streaming or buying her music, following her on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, subscribing to her YouTube channel or Vevo channel, joining her fan club or mailing list, or attending her concerts or events.
Q: How can I download SZA - SOS mp3?
A: You can download SZA - SOS mp3 by purchasing or downloading the album on iTunes, Google Play or Amazon. You can also use a third-party software or website that allows you to convert streaming audio to mp3 files. However, please be aware that this may violate the terms of service of the streaming platforms or the copyright laws of your country.
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