On Dec. 9, 2022 SZA released her album “SOS” that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. SZA first put out music in 2012, but her most popular EP “Z” came out in 2014. However, it wasn’t until 2017 when she put out her debut album “Ctrl” that she had a breakthrough.

Her songs “Drew Barrymore,” “The Weekend” and “2 AM” were some of the most popular songs on the “Ctrl” album, as well as in SZA’s music career. A few years later in early 2022, SZA released the “Ctrl (Deluxe)” album that included many unreleased songs additional to the original ones but with features like “Love Galore” (feat. Travis Scott). Then, SZA released three amazing singles “Shirt,” “I Hate You” and “Good Days” that made the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and set the tone for “SOS.”

“SOS” album became one of the most influential ones of 2022 and 2023. SZA’s album explores a sense of self-love and confidence. The album highlights the reality of relationships in your life. Songs like “Kill Bill,” “Smoking on my Ex Pack” and “Low” are all about moving on and finding self-worth with a little bit of diss to a former partner. These songs bring you through a journey of realizing you don’t need anyone to make you happy. To add, in SZA’s song “Kill Bill”, the infamous line “I might kill my ex” and “If I can’t have you, no one should” make you feel a sense of power and create a feeling that is almost ruthless.

SZA brings into the album that we are only human and can sometimes backtrack. The song “F2F” is the perfect song for you if you feel like you are trying to move on from something but can’t, and maybe you even make some bad decisions along the way. Lyrics in the song including “Hate that I can’t let go of you enough” and “Get a rise out of watching you fall” elaborate the message of backtracking to missing someone while also hating them too.

The entire album showcases multiple examples of genius lyrical lines. Whether it’s “I don’t want to see you with anyone but me” from the hit song “Nobody Gets Me” and “Ruin my day, saying sh*t to hurt me, I can’t compete” from the song “Love Language,” these lines both resonate with a lot of people. These are just a few examples of the home-hitting words SZA uses to be able to connect with the listeners on a deeper level than any other album.

SZA’s lyrics weren’t the only factor of the album being fantastic. The beats and the instruments used were a huge contribution. Her mix between R&B and pop set this album up for success. Whether it was the acoustic guitar used in “Nobody Gets Me,” the electric bass in “Kill Bill,” or the piano played in “Good Days,” each song is crafted with the right instruments and synthesizers to create the perfect song.

Overall, my favorite songs on the album have to be “Kill Bill”, “Low”, “Seek & Destroy”, “Open Arms” and “Nobody Gets Me”. This album is easily one of the best that have come out in the past year and is a must listen. At least one song on the album could connect with anyone; it’s relatable. It deserves a 10 out of 10 no doubt. So, “SOS!” Go listen.