R&B singer SZA has dropped a new project after five years called S.O.S. Her sophomore album is 23 tracks long with features from the legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Don Toliver, Kendrick Lamar, and Phoebe Bridgers. She revealed her release date on “Saturday Night Live” on Dec. 3, where she performed two singles from her album, “Shirt” and “Blind.”
The alternative R&B artist is photographed on the cover of the album sitting on the gunwale of a yacht, overlooking a vast body of water. The image resembles a photo taken by Daniel Sannwald of the late Princess Diana in 1997. However, instead, SZA is dressed in what appears to be Timberland boots and a sports jersey.
SZA has mastered the art of storytelling within this album, making it relatable, intimate, and deeply personal. The album opens with a frantic call and a sample of “Until I Found My Soul” by The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation. We listen as she plays the sad girl, bad girl, and emo role but expresses her confidence in conquering whatever comes her way. There are mid-tempo songs like “Gone Girl” and “Nobody Gets Me.” She spiced it up with pieces that show her rap side and versatility, like “Smoking on my Ex Pack.” The album has star-studded producers like BabyFace, who produced “Snooze.”
Although SZA is celebrating an album release, she hasn’t been quiet within the last five years. With hit collaborations like “No Love” by Summer Walker and single releases like her song “Good Days,” she has been consistent in the studio and continuing music. She has a video for one of her singles from the S.O.S album, “Shirt,” featuring actor LaKeith Stanfield, where they play a dangerous couple in love. If you’ve given the album a listen, what’s your favorite song?
