“SOS” by SZA – A Review
SZA’s talent for vulnerable lyricism returns with “SOS.”
By Shanna Sivakumar
After five years of listening to “Ctrl” on repeat, SZA has given her fans an entirely new album with twenty-three songs, titled “SOS.”
With an album cover reminiscent of the late Princess Diana’s loneliness and isolation, SZA delivers on an LP that brings her listeners deep into the crevices of her mind in matters of love and every other feeling that accompanies it.
“SOS” opens up with a track that begins in morse code. The code spells out the letters the album is named after before delving into what SZA does best: dissecting love through her music.
Alongside a diverse roster of featured artists (Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, etc.), SZA weaves lyrics of both confidence and insecurity, of jealousy and infatuation, into this impressive album.
Multiple songs on “SOS” are almost acoustic, such as “Blind” or “Special,” driving home the intimacy and vulnerability of the album. Other songs are more feel-good and upbeat, such as “Conceited” or “Low,” which feature a prominent bass and lyrics that reinforce confidence in the listener.
With the emergence of TikTok as a viable music platform, “SOS” has blown up online significantly faster than “Ctrl” did in 2017. Multiple songs have gone mainstream, including “Kill Bill,” “Low,” and “Blind,” just to name a few.
SZA remains at the forefront of R&B with this LP. “SOS” has found its place as one of the best albums of 2022, thanks to SZA’s talent for storytelling through lyricism and melody.