R&B artist SZA does it again with her new album ‘“SOS.” This marks her fourth studio album and her second album of 2022 after ‘“Ctrl (Deluxe).” Not only did SZA’s “SOS” have ten out of 23 songs make it to the top 20 songs of this week on the Billboard 100, but it also broke the record for most single day streams for an R&B album in Spotify history, with 68 million streams. 

A handful of songs, such as “I Hate U” and “Good Days” have been released before the album itself, giving listeners some insight into what the entirety of the album might bring. The album first starts with feelings of anger, betrayal and impulsivity while it ends with feelings of sorrow, reflection and new growth. 

Songs “Special” and “Nobody Gets Me” set emotional tones for the ending of the album. While “Nobody Gets Me” talks about the worthless feeling of missing someone who truly understands you, “Special” talks about the loss of self-worth after a relationship.

Not only did SZA continue on this album with her regular flow but she also tried some new styles on songs “F2F” and “Smoking on my Ex Pack.” On “F2F,” she goes on a more alternative/indie path. The mixture of SZA’s raspiness and punk music makes “F2F” like an early 2000’s song. But “Smoking on my Ex Pack” does the complete opposite. In “Smoking on my Ex Pack,” SZA leaned towards a rap flow. Not only did she give bars but she made this song into the perfect anti-ex anthem.

SZA has featured plenty of artists on her older albums, but on “SOS” she brings a new crew. On “Ghost in the Machine,” Phoebe Bridgers is featured and hops on the anti-ex hate train with SZA. Alongside Bridgers, those who are also featured are Don Toliver, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Travis Scott.

The thing that caught me the most off guard are some of the orders, specifically when it goes from “Nobody Gets Me,” to “Conceited” and then to “Special.” “Nobody Gets Me” and “Special” both are very emotional songs that talk a lot about self-perception with and without a significant other, while “Conceited” talks about independence and self-love. 

Overall, every single song on “SOS” deserves a ten out of ten and are all unique in their way. No two songs sound the same and that is what’s so special about SZA’s range. An example of her growth from “Ctrl” to “SOS” is the songs. “Ctrl” was all about the pleasures of being in a relationship, while “SOS” is about the aftermath. SZA is an extremely talented writer and singer who knows how to display certain emotions perfectly through her music and “SOS” is just the latest example.

“SOS:” ★★★★★