Solána Rowe, better known as SZA, released her long awaited album SOS on December 9th. She hasn’t released any new music since her Ctrl album in 2017, so releasing 23 new tracks this month was a big deal. Each song on the album shows a new side of her, touching on topics of love, jealousy, and post breakup revenge. I have ranked the songs below from my personal opinion, #1 being my favorite song on the album.
Tracklist:
1. SOS (1:57)
SZA introduces the album with a fiery and powerful freestyle.
2. Smoking on My Ex Pack (1:23)
Towards the middle of the album, SZA interludes with a hilariously toxic rap cut. Lines such as
“I got your favorite rapper blocked”
have fans guessing who she is talking about. Another Drake reference? She touches on the themes of independence and moving on from previous relationships.
3. Ghost in the Machine (ft. Phoebe Bridgers) (3:38)
“Ghost in the Machine” symbolizes how SZA feels within the world of social media, and the negative effects it has on her. She feels that either the music industry or the media is like a “machine” and how she feels drained, and looking for love and validation from her lover. The robotic flow of the music runs parallel to the theme of feeling caught up in this “machine” of the music industry and media.
4. Seek & Destroy (3:23)
“Seek and Destroy” opens with her beautiful vocals, as this song touches on the theme of the importance of control, which was a very prevalent theme in her last album “Ctrl.” The percussion in the back makes this track a very boppy song. Lines such as
“All the pain I know, is used to fuel my soul”
possibly show how she’s blaming herself for hurting her future partners.
5. Used (ft. Don Toliver) (2:26)
Don Toliver’s feature in this track, paired with the bass and drum combo, ties the song together perfectly. She makes a Star Wars reference in the second verse, which has to be the highlight of the track.
6. Notice Me (2:40)
SZA expresses her preference of a more casual relationship in this song, not wanting to be labeled as anyone’s “girlfriend.” Good cruising music.
7. Gone Girl (4:04)
One of the slower tracks on the album, SZA gives insight into her struggles with relationships and dealing with the incompatibility between her and her lover. Harmony and percussion in the back bring this song together seamlessly.
8. Too Late (2:44)
SZA might be referencing her ex-fiance in this song, as she describes how although the relationship clearly is not good for either of them, she still wants to try and be with him. The clever word play in each of the verses takes this song to another level.
9. Far (3:00)
The song opens with SZA asking “How do I deal with rejection,” which becomes the theme for the song. The percussion in the back and SZA’s vocals in the chorus make this song.
10. Good Days (4:39)
Although this could be classified as more of a “radio song”, that does not make this any less of a great song. The song encapsulates SZA’s beautiful perspective of life, as she describes everything through an optimistic lens. Even as she reflects upon less happy memories, she still maintains a positive outlook for her future, and learning from past lessons.
11. I Hate U (2:54)
This is another track that became popular on TikTok before SZA released SOS. Despite the negative message, this song has such a boppy tune, and her vocals are heavenly. This is definitely a great song if you are going through a break-up and need something to do to channel your anger.
12. Forgiveless (ft. Ol’ Dirty Bastard) (2:21)
The song opens with Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s freestyle, making this song have a very old hip hop feel. The flow is transcendent as SZA takes some shots at people in her verses. She definitely uses fighting words, which is very suited to the song’s title and the vibe of the album.
13. Conceited (2:31)
With a more upbeat undertone, SZA proudly admits to having work done, and celebrating everything that she has made for herself. She sings about how important self-love and independence is in her life, and takes on a new philosophy.
14. F2F (3:05)
SZA shows her versatility as an artist, as she takes a stab at a more pop-like song. This song is definitely out of the ordinary for SZA, not falling into her normal “R&B” vibe; it has a more 2000’s Avril Lavigne feel to this song. She touches on the topic of revenge, and despite trying to distract herself, she can never seem to get over him. This song definitely is not for everyone, and it is out of her usual genre, but she proved her talent for versatility undeniable.
15. Love Language (3:03)
Love Language: the way that a person prefers to express love to, and receive it from a partner
SZA describes how it feels to be in a relationship with a person that she’s not compatible with, and the struggles of trying to connect better with him. In each verse, she’s taking shots at her ex, describing how he just was not good for her, in the lines such as
“Call me
When you know the difference between me and chickens”
The violins in the end make this track special.
16. Special (2:38)
SZA touches on insecurities that every girl grows up feeling, and how the pressures of societal standards are exhausting. She talks about her loss of innocence; growing up and understanding that others can hurt her.
17. Snooze (3:21)
This song is one of her more chill tracks on the album, as well as more wholesome. She describes how she wants to spend as much time with her lover as she possibly can, afraid that time is going to slip through her fingers. Her voice in this song sounds straight from heaven, and her outlook on love is so beautiful and pure.
18. Nobody Gets Me (3:00)
On a more acoustic track, SZA reminisces about her ex-fiance and the memories that she still carries of them. She recognizes that using other relationships, in forgetting about the memorable moments of her and her ex, is not a successful strategy.
19. Shirt (3:01)
This long awaited track is debatably one of the best songs of the year; a sneak peak of “Shirt” was released to Tik Tok in 2021, and fans have been waiting for the full song until now. SZA touches on the themes of self sabotage, and some may say individualism. The line
“Feeling lost but I like it”
is up for interpretation. Maybe she is alluding that she finds comfort in the darkness? Just a warning for anyone that is going to watch the music video, the amount of violence that SZA displays makes it just a little questionable, nonetheless it is SZA, so it’s okay.
20. Blind (2:30)
This track made its first appearance at the end of SZA’s music video for “Shirt”, and later she performed this on SNL on December 3rd. SZA dives deep into how she can be blind to the good things in her life. All of the love that she seeks from others is evidently living inside of her, yet she is blind to this. She describes how her reputation precedes her and that she feels chained to her past, unable to change as a person because of the way that others see her. She is blind to the relationship that she’s in, and not recognizing that she is on a different path of life than he is.
21. Kill Bill (2:33)
Naturally, this is based off of Quentin Tarantino’s infamous film “Kill Bill.” Despite this song having very questionable motives, it is very catchy and I would say one of her best songs on the album. This is about literal murder, but we excuse her because she is SZA. She touches on the topics of jealousy after a break up, and the struggles that she faces on feeling alone in the lines,
“Rather be in jail then be alone”
Is this song about Drake? Possibly.
22. Low (3:01)
This song goes hard. So transcendent it almost sounds Arabic. “Low” touches on how she likes to have a private relationship, and that there is a beauty to keeping certain things outside of the public eye. One of the lesser toxic tracks on the album, and probably my favorite car song.
23. Open Arms (ft. Travis Scott) (3:01)
“Open Arms” opens with SZA’s grandmother’s advice that the most that anyone can give is their best try. This track has a more similar feel to the Ctrl album. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful song on the album because it is so wholesome and it contrasts all of the other tracks, which take on a more negative perspective on love. SZA appears hopeful in “Open Arms,” and her optimistic approach toward love in lines such as “I’m so devoted” is so refreshing.
0
0
Average Rating