鈥淪OS鈥� by SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA)
鈥淪aid what鈥檚 on my mind,鈥� SZA professed in the first track at the top of her long-awaited second album, 鈥淪OS.鈥� And that鈥檚 exactly what she does. The album comes after over five years since her debut album, 鈥淐trl.鈥� The relatability of SZA鈥檚 lyrics, her vocal prowess and remind us why audiences fell in love with her in the first place.
SZA鈥檚 first album 鈥淐trl鈥� was praised among fans and critics alike, with multiple songs charting in the top 40s, a Grammy nomination in 2018, and it was even
In the time between albums, SZA was still releasing hits, including singles 鈥淕ood Days,鈥� and 鈥淚 Hate U,鈥� which are featured on 鈥淪OS.鈥� She sang on the Oscar-nominated 鈥淏lack Panther鈥� track 鈥淎ll the Stars鈥� with Kendrick Lamar, and the Grammy-winning 鈥淜iss Me More鈥� with Doja Cat.
With 23 songs on 鈥淪OS," the overwhelming track list manages to keep audiences captivated from start to finish.
SZA鈥檚 vocal range and lyricism is apparent in the album. The artist can go from a ruthless rap track 鈥淪moking on my Ex Pack鈥� to classic R&B ballads, 鈥淕one Girl,鈥� to even acoustic in 鈥淣obody Gets Me.鈥�
In 鈥淪pecial,鈥� it鈥檚 a change of pace with an intimate acoustic sound and painful lyrics exploring body image and insecurity. Her relatable lyrics also dive into the sadness and the blind anger that comes with heartbreak. 鈥淜ill Bill,鈥� explores fantasies of revenge but was still able to capture the feeling of loneliness. She sings in the last line: 鈥淩ather be in Hell than alone."
Collaborations range from Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott and the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol鈥� Dirty Bastard and prove she can nail traditional R&B sounds but isn鈥檛 afraid to experiment with indie alternative, pop-punk, lo-fi and more.
鈥淕host in the Machine (feat. Bridgers)" is a blend of R&B and indie alternative that was the most unexpected on the record but also one of the best collabs. Both artists are able to channel heartbreak but in different genres, their unique sounds blending together perfectly.
The results of the five-year wait: a long, ambitious album with hardly a single miss. SZA proves in 鈥淪OS鈥� she still is a voice of this generation.
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Karena Phan, The Associated Press
