SOS by SZA

SZA - TDE

By: Queen Talk

After 5 long years, the anticipated album “SOS” by SZA aka Solana was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA records early last month. The album has had 2 consecutive weeks atop billboards’ “200 Albums Chart” already! To add a little more sauce, more than 6 songs off the album are in the Top 10, as well. As a superfan since 2014, I can honestly say I approve the hype and truly a great way to reflect and conclude 2022. So proud of her courage to put music out again and all the accolades; she is such a deserving artist.

Despite SZA’s album rising to the top of billboards, radio, and playlists; many had some unpleasant feelings about the project. Some opinions were that she’s too old for a lot of the topics of the songs, heavy insecurities, and heavy pop vibe on the album. These statements aren’t right or wrong. However, it does seem that there is always going to be a group that is unhappy no matter how much evolution and diversity the artist provides. When SZA’s first album “CTRL” came out, she was 28 and that was a major release of a lot of her early age experiences. SOS shows there was a lot more to reflect on with songs like “Love Language” and “Special” which reveal deep moments of heartbreak, longing connection, and finding self-worth. As an artist known for these types of themes in her music; I don’t find it abnormal that these appeared within the album. SZA is a growing human before being an artist and that might not always align with the timeline of the audience. Despite some viewing the album unfavorable, it was a healing and nostalgic tool for many people going through battles with friends, family and themselves.

One thing that will always echo in SZA’s album that I love is her ability to write and sing from multiple perspectives in her music. From lyrics like “I’m still playing the victim and you still playing the pick me” in Blind to “How can I loose when I’m with you” in Snooze. SZA takes you through the ebbs and flows that relationships go through but also the journey people go through to find their self-confidence and identity. Songs like “Conceited” show that she isn’t concerned opinions about her music and body choices and that’s empowering in itself. She speaks from the insecure voice but also the healing, boss, growing, accountable voice as well. This album SZA explored rap, R&B, pop, rock, and more and It will definitely carry its buzz through 2023. The visuals are going to be insane, Kill Bill Trailer already turning heads!