SZA’s bloated release will leave fans sending SOS signal in desperate plea for help
After releasing the timeless Ctrl’ in 2017, Solána Imani Rowe, commonly known as SZA, seemed content to only pair her vocals with other artists for the next few years. It wasn’t until 2020, when she released “Good Days,” that longtime fans were satisfied. The song, released on Christmas, topped charts and created a new path for her music over the next two years. The alternative singer released SOS in December 2022, featuring 23 songs and four features. Quantity does not necessarily mean quality and, overall, it unfortunately wasn’t worth the wait.
After pressing play, the song “SOS” begins and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song starts with SZA rapping at a slower pace and singing within this frame. The song highlights her voice and what to expect later. The second track, “Kill Bill,” has become one of the most popular songs of the year, taking first place on the Billboard R&B Hot 100 chart by showcasing SZA’s singing voice with a soft beat in the background. The song reached all the heartbroken individuals in the anger stage as it fantasizes about murdering her ex. The song is relatable yet has become overplayed, much like the rest of the album. To tie into the heartbroken baddie theme, the song “Low” places fourth in the lineup and feels more like a rap song, contradictory to the vibe of “SOS."
As the list goes on, slower love songs like “Blind,” “Love Language,” and “Snooze” intricately weave in between songs like “Used” and “Notice Me,” notably more upbeat, bordering rap tunes to balance things out. In doing this, the artist shows listeners all her talent and range. “Gone Girl,” a staple SZA song, features her true voice through and through. The song takes it back to a younger SZA and gives a sense of familiarity. To keep up the pattern, the song “Smoking on my Ex Pack” comes right after. The beginning sounds like an intro to a Kendrick Lamar song but SZA recovers and uses her vocals to save the track. Nothing special, this tune provides another staple in the recently heartbroken again.
Four times within the album, SZA collaborates with various artists. “Open Arms,” featuring Travis Scott, became popular because it highlights the rapper’s unheard-of voice as he actually sings in the second half of the song. Having Scott pair his raspy voice with SZA’s clear and soft sound makes for an unforgettable juxtaposition. Phoebe Bridgers features in the song “Ghost in the Machine,” a selection becoming popular on TikTok. Everything else about the song is a solid 8/10 besides the chorus, which has become a dance trend. Rather than making the song better and more recognizable, in reality, it ruins it. Phoebe is finally heard in the second half of the song, yet she is much quieter than SZA. Their voices combined created a mellow and smooth song. The other two songs with features include Don Toliver and a posthumous sample from the legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Both songs don’t stand out and feel like fillers.
“F2F,” the worst song on the album, opens with drums reminiscent of an Avril Lavine song. Boring lyrics and a bland sound consigns this track to the end credits of a trashy Disney movie. On the other side of the spectrum, “Nobody Gets Me” starts slow and showcases SZA’s ability to sing high notes far superior to “F2F.” The chorus brings out a different vibe, and the sheer longing for an ex shines bright. The next three songs “Conceited,” “Special,” and “Too Late” blend and once again, don't stand out. With the number of songs on the album, it’s not surprising that almost half would be duds and filler, yet it’s still upsetting. To break the bad streak, “Far” begins with the artist having a conversation with Indian spiritualist Sadghuru about how she should handle rejection. As SZA sings over a basic beat, the song gets better and better. From the story in the lyrics to her vocal range, this song easily places in the top ten of the album.
Tapping into social media, “Shirt” was first heard in October as a TikTok dance and was named by fans. Nothing new, it doesn’t make or break the album. She could have just released it as a single without adding to the already hour-long album, but this genius marketing technique brought the album more listens. “I Hate U'' is yet again another song for heartbroken girls. The song was first released on SoundCloud in August of 2021 but quickly rose to popularity on social media and was officially released four months later. In true SZA fashion, the song's laid-back, nonchalant melody creates a vibe that emphasizes the feeling of never wanting to deal with someone again. “Good Days” encapsulates how it feels to go on a late-night drive with friends to look up at the stars from the open sunroof. The music in the back somewhat resembles twinkling and the feeling of nostalgia.
Ending the album, SZA recorded a song called “Forgiveless” with Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The song is catchy and ODB is featured well, yet it lacks the right material to bring the release home. Doused in rap lore, the song takes a step away from the SZA heard through SOS. The song could’ve been better used in the middle of the album to show what she’s capable of, not the ending of her highly anticipated new project.
As a whole, each song on SOS fits together and sounds unique. Still, the album feels mediocre with only a few songs that stand out. B+.
by Makenna Freund
Published January 30, 2023
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue 4