Album: SOS

Artist: SZA

Release Date: 12/9/22

#1: SOS 1:58

Rating: 8/10

Comments: This song has a lot of passion in it. Her voice is strong and powerful, a good way to open this album. The beginning draws the listener in and once SZA starts singing, the passion is immediately detected. The rhythm and beat work so well with her voice and the bars are fun and interesting. The song is mellow throughout and the only thing I would change would be maybe a verse or beat drop to make the composition a bit more exciting.

#2: Kill Bill 2:34

Rating: 10/10

Comments: A perfect tune and melody to listen to along with her incredible vocals. The chorus is undeniably catchy and fun to get stuck in a listener’s head. The references to the 2003 Quentin Tarantino movie “Kill Bill” are great for any listener who enjoys that film and the music video is even better. The lyrics are perfect to sing to and the song deserves its popularity. SZA also was able to articulate a feeling many have toward their ex partners; you might still love them, but man sometimes you just wish they would disappear with their new partner to cause you no more trouble. 

#3: Seek & Destroy 3:22

Rating: 7/10

Comments: At this point in the album, the songs all sound pretty similar but not identical. You can tell they’re all from the same artist, but they’re all unique. This song’s chorus is repetitive with a capital R. “Do it to you” starts to sound like “doy toy” after a few times, which is not to say the song is bad. While the chorus isn’t the best part, the beat is incredible and the bridges are so beautiful and different from the rest of the song. She again writes relatable lyrics, about not wanting to hurt someone but sometimes feeling like you have no choice. The message is well articulated, but the chorus could be way stronger.

#4: Low 3:02

Rating: 9/10

Comments: Immediately this song sounds very different from the rest of the album. There is a more intense feeling and the beat has become faster with more bass and snare. Her voice becomes a little softer though, not overbearing listeners with a completely different tone than the previous songs. Eventually the chorus becomes more like the other songs but still with an edge, which really enhances the track. She adds a bunch of interesting beats and sounds that really bring the song together.

#5: Love Language 3:04

Rating: 8/10

Comments: SZA’s voice is unmatched in this song. Her vocals are stunning and shows her rage. Parts of it are more in a rap style but the chorus shows how elegant her voice can be. It’s a very mellow song, the soft vocals matched by the flowers, less intense beat. The bridge is different and really stands out from the rest of the track. Again, just like “SOS”, the only thing missing is something a little more interesting to keep listeners engaged in the song. It’s a great song to just have on in the background with a sweet message about discovering your partner’s love language.

#6: Blind 2:31

Rating: 9/10

Comments: Immediately, this song sounds different from the rest of the tracks, opening with a guitar part instead of a drum beat. The verses are in a rap style, and sound unique and great with the acoustic music in the background. The chorus is short and simple but incredible. The music stops and allows listeners to fully hear and appreciate SZA’s voice. The message is also one that unfortunately many can relate to, the struggle of being in a toxic relationship and not knowing how to leave. The toxic partner knows her so well that he knows how to make her stay, even if she knows she should leave. The song is perfectly elegant and beautiful but interesting and unique throughout.

#7: Used (feat. Don Toliver) 2:26

Rating: 9/10

Comments: The beginning is energetic, engaging, and exciting. A funky beat opens and then SZA’s voice takes over the track, followed by the soothing vocals of Don Toliver. He makes the track unforgettable. His voice matches so well with SZA’s, it sounds like they were made to have a song together. Don Toliver sings the chorus, a great switch up from SZA in the verses. The song is also a shorter one, but it’s quick and upbeat with many creative choices sprinkled within. Truly a treasure of a song.

#8: Snooze 3:22

Rating: 10/10

Comments: A nice and mellow song to follow up “Used”. The beat is more laid back and SZA takes a more rap approach to the verses again. The chorus is soft and sweet, SZA’s voice again unmatched. Singing of the love of spending time with someone you love and never wanting those moments to end, and her voice perfectly conveys this lovey dovey message. The bridge also stands out in this one as well, spicing up the song the perfect amount as to not take listeners out of the soft and lovely mood the track has created.

#9: Notice Me 2:41

Rating: 8/10

Comments: This is another high energy and fast pace song to follow up a soothing, mellow track. The beat is quicker with more snare and SZA’s verses are fully rap. They sound amazing with the steel drums-like beat backing her vocals. The chorus slows down, but not so much that it’s distracting. The pace is kept up, with a little change leading up to and in the chorus. SZA’s vocal rage again is demonstrated by the changes in style throughout the song. 

 #10: Gone Girl 4:03

Rating:

Comments: A longer track on this album, “Gone Girl” is an unforgettable installment in this album. Starting off soft with very little music to back SZA’s voice, the song’s verses stand out as some of the best on the album. The acapella in the back of the verses is incredible leading up to the chorus, and the chorus itself is simple and interesting. The song builds on itself, getting better with every word. Truly a fantastic track that really sticks out as one of the best. Personally, if someone asked to hear a SZA song and I had to choose one to show them, I would choose this one to show them.

#11: Smoking on My Ex Pack 1:22

Rating: 8/10

Comment: This song is straightforward rap. Her verse sounds so smooth and the transition from rap into her beautiful singing voice in the chorus is incredible. The song is one rap verse and one chorus, a very quick and fast paced song. The song could have benefited from being longer, but the song sounds great as is. Her rapping is fun, coordinated, and she rides the beat perfectly. All in all, just a very good and short entry that is just begging to be longer.

#12: Ghost in the Machine (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) 3:38

Rating: 9/10

Comments: This track takes a slower pace than the last one, in the best way. SZA’s soft voice again backed by very little music makes the song relaxed and easy to listen to. Though she sings the whole song, the verses are more staccato while the chorus is more legato, drawing out her words and making a perfect balance in the song. Phoebe Bridger’s addition to this song can not be understated, it is truly amazing. SZA and Phoebe normally have different sounding music, but the track just goes to show how talented and diverse both artists can be. Both of them have soft voices that sing powerful messages and it is really put on display here. They work together to create a great song and a great showcase of their song assembling talents.

#13: F2F 3:04

Rating: 10/10

Comments: This track sounds totally separate from the rest of the album. The verse is acoustic but the chorus is nearly completely rock. Her voice is backed by guitar and sounds like it could have come straight out of 2006. Personally, I absolutely love this song and the rock style she chose for it. Everything down to the lyrics makes it sound like it could have been made by Avril Levigne and again is truly a fantastic showcase of SZA’s diversity and willingness to try new things with her music. Her voice sounds incredible with the rock in the background and it has the perfect inflections to match the guitar. She sings of independence and madness at someone who wronged her, using the hard rock to convey those emotions perfectly. She wants this person back even though they weren’t great to her, something a lot of people can relate to in a weird way. Over all, this is a great entry to this album and really stands out.

#14: Nobody Gets Me 3:00

Rating: 9/10

Comments: Following up the hard rock is this slow, acoustic song that dials the pace down a bit. It is a sad song with a lot of emotion. She perfectly describes what it’s like to not want to let go of someone who knows you better than maybe you even know yourself. It is a heartbreaking feeling and with SZA’s voice backed by the guitar, that feeling is conveyed in a gentle way. For a sad song, her voice is strong and authoritative- a cry of desperation for someone to understand rather than begging someone to stay. This track is sad, but a great listen and shows off SZA’s vocals once again.

#15: Conceited 2:30

Rating: 7/10

Comments: This song has a different feeling than the last right from the beginning. It is upbeat, light, and fun. The verses are bouncy and she does a bit of a rapping style for it. The chorus is similar and very catchy. Like the title suggested, the song is about how after a relationship, you need to focus on yourself, even though some people might call that selfish. The track has a fun beat and is sung very well, but it doesn’t stand out. Listening to the album all the way through, it feels like a transition and filler more than its own song. That’s not to say it’s a bad song, it just could have been so much more.

#16: Special 2:38

Rating: 8/10

Comments: The song starts off with an interesting xylophone sound, which would usually be paired with something childlike and fun, but this song is sad when SZA begins singing. She describes her imperfections in the verses, wishing she could be like other girls around her, something many girls unfortunately relate to. It’s about jealousy and wanting to feel special to someone else, and SZA’s soft voice matches this message tastefully. It’s a soft, sad, and most of all well put together song that fits into this album well. The track is mellow throughout, but it doesn’t need anything more; the song should be melancholy and a little sad. It’s a great addition to the album and the sadness is needed in the sea of songs about a break up.

#17: Too Late 2:43

Rating: 8/10

Comments: Coming off the sadder entry, this song picks it back up and is more up beat. It’s still mellow, but with a happier feel. SZA chooses a rap style for the verses mixed with her signing, creating her unique and fun sound. The chorus is similar, singing with a fast pace and keeping the song interesting. It’s catchy and a little repetitive, but not annoying. The track is a great one to have on in the background, not too serious and easy to listen to. The beat is fun, fast, and her voice brings it all together. 

#18: Far 3:00

Rating: 7/10

Comments: The song begins in a way that I always think is really intriguing; the artist or someone just talking about something related to the song they’re about to sing. After talking about rejection and receiving hate, SZA begins a softer and slower style of rapping. She expresses feelings of being rejected or hated by so many people that she has lost herself. Everyone using her and hating her has made her forget who she truly is.This song can be read as a lesson to other budding celebrities to remember who they are and not let other people use them up. The song is very even throughout; a sad tune for a sad track. The chorus is repetitive and the song does get a little uninteresting as it goes on, but the melancholy beat is right to fit the melancholy message.

#19: Shirt 3:01

Rating: 9/10

Comments: This track has been really popular since its release and it’s not hard to see why. It opens with a solid beat paired with SZA’s rapping and singing style in the verses. The beat starts to include some different sounds and it makes the song more interesting. The lead up into the chorus is perfect and moves the song right along. The chorus has the most amazing beat and great vocals from SZA. It isn’t super intense, but the tune is catchy and fun. It’s one of those songs that everyone waits for to play in the car so they can all sing along. 

#20: Open Arms (feat. Travis Scott)

Rating: 10/10

Comments: Again, this song opens with a conversation; someone giving the listener advice. Then, some acoustic guitar takes over with a very indie rock sound. SZA’s powerful voice joins the guitar and she really puts her whole heart into the track. Her range is really displayed here and the emotion in her voice is unforgettable. She opens with the chorus and then goes into her signature rapping- singing style. After another chorus, Travis starts his verse and it’s just as good as SZA’s. They have worked together many times before and they clearly work very well together. They have a similar style, a fast paced singing that goes into their rapping. Both of their voices sound incredible against the acoustic guitar backing them. It’s a sweet, soft, and beautiful love song.

#21: I Hate U 2:53

Rating: 9/10

Comments: The song begins with a little jazz sounding beat and then SZA starts a rap verse. Her rapping style is again, incredible, and goes well with her straight up singing when she goes into the lead for the chorus. The chorus is so simple and so catchy, but gets the point across; “if you wonder if I hate you, I do.” This ex of hers made her feel so worthless and unloved, she can only say that she hates him and wants him to feel the same way he made her feel. The beat is relaxed and not too intense so those lyrics don’t come off as aggressive, just a fact that is being stated; she hates him. Though the song doesn’t have any intense or exciting parts, it’s a great track to just listen to, especially if you relate.

#22: Good Days 4:37

Rating: 10/10

Comments: A longer track on this album, this song came out as a single nearly 2 whole years before this album was dropped. It quickly gained popularity, and it is not hard to see why. The song begins with unique and majestic instrumentals, only to be made better by SZA’s gorgeous singing voice. The chorus again is a simple one, but it is so beautifully sung and matches the beat so well, it’s truly unforgettable. The verses flow and the instrumental backing SZA’s singing just carries the song along. The bridge, though, is maybe the best part. A little faster pace, SZA really gets into the message of the song here. It’s about not wasting all your time or all your energy on one person if they aren’t doing the same for you. If you get broken up with, let them leave; there’s no point in trying to get them back if they don’t want to, so focus on yourself and your peace instead. The song ends with the fantastical instrumental that truly is something special.

#23: Forgiveless (feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard) 2:21

Rating: 7/10

Comments: This track differs tremendously from the last song, more intense with a more bass focused beat. It begins with ODB rapping backed by a choir before SZA’s verse starts. She raps the verses which are just as good as her singing. Throughout the album, she is amazing at making a combination of singing and rapping, creating her own special style. There is one long verse of this before she starts to go more into a singing style for the end of the song. The track finishes up with the way it started, with ODB rapping. Though I think the beat works for both of them, I don’t think their styles really match. The beginning and the end of the song are rather jarring because of how intense ODB’s voice is. Otherwise it’s a solid entry on the album and a solid way to wrap it all up.