'Good Days' are here now that 'SOS' is out
On June 9, 2017, Solána Imani Rowe, better known as SZA, released her debut studio album "Ctrl," and the world has yet to recover. She broke a number of records, received critical acclaim and a slew of award nominations, as well as earning spots on several publications’ year-end best albums lists.
With "Ctrl," SZA permanently changed the R&B game. She established a new sound and set a standard for herself and other artists in the industry. Since the album's release less than six years ago, fans of the alternative R&B singer have been waiting anxiously for her next project to drop.
After years of record label disputes and fakeouts, SZA finally dropped her highly-anticipated sophomore studio album "SOS" on December 9, 2022. The album immediately dominated the charts, launching as the No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and debuting 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with two songs in the top 10.
"SOS" also garnered 404.58 million streams in its first week, setting the record for the biggest streaming week ever for an R&B album. It’s safe to say that SZA has secured her spotlight in the music industry, and for a good reason.
I have personally been a huge fan of SZA since she released "Ctrl," so the news about "SOS" was beyond exciting. Soon after the album's release, she announced the SOS Tour, and I was somehow able to snag tickets for it in the midst of the global Ticketmaster debacle.
"SOS" is comprised of 23 tracks, all of which are unique in their own way. The sound of this album is completely different than anything we’ve heard from SZA before, exuding influences from the trap, pop, R&B and punk rock genres.
While this mix of genres was the root of my initial dislike for the album during my first few listens, "SOS" has grown on me tremendously. When I first listened to the punk rock-influenced song "F2F," for example, I was taken aback by how different it sounded from SZA’s usual roster of wordy R&B melodies and laid-back trap beats.
As I’ve continued to listen to this project more frequently, my opinions on its sound and composition have completely changed. I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy the variety of influences this album draws upon. It allows SZA to continue to develop her individuality and impact as an artist.
With pre-released singles like "Good Days," "I Hate U" and "Shirt," SZA set the scene for what to expect going into this project. Since then, she has released two additional singles, "Nobody Gets Me" and "Kill Bill," both of which have been skyrocketing in popularity on social media apps like TikTok.
In addition to enjoying these singles, I also have a strong appreciation for some of the album's deep cuts, such as the raw and reflective track "Special." In this song, SZA opens up about her insecurities and how they became affected by a past relationship.
Another favorite track of mine, "Snooze," details the trials and tribulations that SZA is facing in her relationship. In this song, she sings to her significant other and details her love for them while trying to understand why they don’t reciprocate the same level of affection for her.
"Open Arms," one of my absolute favorite songs on this entire project, features vocals from rapper Travis Scott — though I personally prefer the track's recently released solo version. This song details a relationship where SZA’s partner accepts her for who she is, and the singer provides them with equal devotion back.
Every song on this album is truly outstanding in its own way, and they add phenomenal substance to SZA’s discography. While it took years for fans to get their hands on a new SZA album, I truly believe that it was worth the wait. SZA has somehow managed to continuously up the standards for what a great album should be, breaking countless records and gaining millions of new fans in the process.
