Culture

SZA’s sophomore album “SOS” serves up a lyrical window into the artist’s soul

This is the cover of the 2022 album “S.O.S.” by SZA. (Trinity Times photo/courtesy TDE and RCA Records)

By Waleeja Chaudhry
Trinity Times Music Reviewer

“SOS” – the much-anticipated follow-up to SZA’s groundbreaking 2017 debut studio album “CTRL” – is a provocative and raw collection of lyrically charged tunes.

It’s been five years since Solana Imani Rowe – known by her stage name SZA – released the certified multiplatinum “CTRL,” an album fans believe transformed the modern music landscape.

SZA’s sophomore album is a window into her conflicting thoughts, expressing lyrically what she has been up to since “CTRL” catapulted her to genre-bending fame, what important lessons she has learned, and what she wants her fans to know.

The songstress tackles many subjects people quietly ponder, such as revenge, relationships, self-worth, love and familial problems. The lyrical virtuoso SZA showcases throughout the album is why “SOS” is so irresistible to many.

There is satisfaction in hearing lines you so deeply relate to but never had the words to interpret.

Lyrics like “you all lack humanity, drowning in vanity” from “Ghost in the Machine” are heartwarming and validating, with SZA’s soft voice beautifully blending with the singing style of guest artist Phoebe Bridgers.

Bridgers is one of several invited collaborators featured on “SOS,” including Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Lizzo, all bringing fresh sounds and distinctive perspectives complimenting SZA’s unique flair.

On the tracks “Forgiveless” – featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Smoking on my Ex Pack” and the title song “SOS,” we hear SZA rap, providing more evidence of her musical versatility.

On “Blind” – released as a single – SZA laments her inability to recognize the good from within, driving her to seek validation in past relationships. She refers to the blindness keeping her in the dark in “Shirt,” crooning “in the dark right now; feeling lost, but I like it.”

As of 2023 SZA is the only woman signed to the label TDE, as part of the record company’s flagship artists known as the “Black Hippy” members.

“CTRL” was a breath of fresh air, setting the standard for what contemporary music made by women could sound like.

Though “SOS” was urgently awaited by fans, it doesn’t live up to its predecessor and is somewhat underwhelming. There are no bad offerings on the album, but in comparison to “CTRL,” some of the songs are just kind of forgettable.

Lyrically, “SOS” is a triumph. Musically, it’s in need of a little more creativity.

Rating: 8/10

– – – Waleeja Chaudhry is a freshman at Trinity Washington University.

Comments are closed.