By Okla Jones· Updated December 9, 2022
What is perhaps the most intriguing thing about SZA is her reluctance to step into the spotlight. Similar to another New Jersey-raised singer, she’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent whose output isn’t as frequent as the public would like because she possesses a unique level of creativity that only a few are able to comprehend. More than five years after her classic debut, this infamously transparent songstress returns to make a statement with the release of SOS.
For many, 2017’s CTRL was much more than just an album. Its introspective themes resonated with women, and SZA’s uncanny songwriting and brilliant honesty cemented her place as one of the most promising entertainers of this era. Since then, she has appeared on several chart-topping singles, leaving fans with just one consistent question: “When will she release another solo project?” The years of anticipation, talks of retirement, amazing performances, etc., brings us to December 9, 2022, a day that may come to be described as one of the most important dates in R&B history.
Throughout SOS, we hear an artist supremely confident in her abilities, while at the same time struggling with the truth of her flaws and imperfections. The album’s cover – which is inspired by a 1997 photograph of Princess Diana, taken just days before her tragic passing – is symbolic of life’s isolating effects, especially for a Black woman of notable fame. For a little over an hour, SZA takes listeners on a journey through the bevy of emotions that come with life, love, and intimacy.
The album begins with its title track, where she addresses the naysayers that emerged during her five-year hiatus. Lyrics like “This ain’t no warning shot, in case you hoes forgot,” let’s everyone know that she fully understands her stature in the music industry, and that her spot will always be her spot. The intro is followed by “Kill Bill,” a song expressing the pain of seeing your ex with someone else, and just how far she would go in order to escape from it. “I’d rather be in hell than be alone,” the singer says in its closing stanza.
SZA’s unique perspective on female sexuality is what sets her apart from many of her contemporaries. “Seek & Destroy,” “Low” (ft. Travis Scott), and “I Hate U,” are liberating, to say the least, while “Snooze” and “Nobody Gets Me” speaks to the sometimes-restrictive feeling that you get when you’re in love, particularly when it isn’t the healthiest situation.
Although the braggadocio exuded on “SOS,” “Conceited” and the ODB-assisted “Forgiveless” are testaments to how comfortable this Grammy Award-winner is in her skin, it’s the moments of inadequacy that make for the most provocative points on this album. On “Nobody Gets Me,” SZA sings about holding on because she feels that only one person will ever truly understand her, and the cuts “Special” and “Far” go in detail about the deteriorating effects of a toxic relationship, and how someone that you love can lower your self-esteem, and change the way you feel about yourself.
The 23-track SOS is a phenomenal album, and could turn out to be SZA’s best body of work. While her future as an artist still remains uncertain, her legacy in the genre of R&B in something that will never be denied. In addition to SOS, this week also includes music from Kamaiyah, Stalley, Icewear Vezzo, and more.
Take a look at our weekly roundup of new releases below.
01Kamaiyah – ‘Keep it Lit’Today, Kamaiyah drops her new album titled Keep It Lit. The 7-song project features Mistah F.A.B. Listen to it HERE.
02Rotimi – “Make You Say”Rotimi shares his scorching new single ‘Make You Say (ft. Nektunez)’ along with an accompanying music video. Watch it HERE. 
03A Boogie wit da Hoodie – ‘Me vs. Myself’Today, A Boogie wit da Hoodie releases his new album, Me Vs. Myself. The LP contains 22 records and includes features from Roddy Ricch, Lil Durk, Tory Lanez, G Herbo and H.E.R. Stream it HERE. 
04YG ft. Lil Wayne – “Miss My Dawgs”YG pays homage to his fallen comrades with the new single, “Miss My Dawgs” featuring Lil Wayne. The track is dedicated Slim 400, who was fatally shot last year. Check it out HERE. 
05Blxst ft. Larry June – “Keep Calling”Today, Blxst drops a new single titled “Keep Calling,” a collaboration with Larry June. Watch the visual HERE. 
06Stalley – ‘Somebody Up There Loves Me’Earlier this week, Stalley released the new album Somebody Up There Loves Me. The 8-song LP features Ania Hoo, and includes the single “FRESH LINEN.” Stream it HERE. 
07Bun B x Statik Selektah – ‘Trillstatik 2’Bun B and Statik Selektah have reunited for the second installment of their Trillstatik series. Listen to it HERE. 
08Mount Westmore – ‘Snoop Cube 40 $hort’California supergroup Mount Westmore dropped their collaborative album titled Snoop Cube 40 $hort. Check it out HERE. 
09Icewear Vezzo x DJ Drama – ‘Paint the City’Today, Icewear Vezzo shares Paint The City, a Gangsta Grillz mixtape. The project features Jeezy, Future, 2 Chainz, and Kodak Black. Stream it HERE. 
TOPICS: SZA
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