On December 9th 2022, Sza ended her four year album drought when she released her long awaited and critically acclaimed album SOS. Ctrl, Sza’s debut album, took listeners on a lyrical journey through the trials and tribulations of sex, love, and insecurity through the lens of a 20 something year old girl. Her sophomore album SOS, addressed similar themes but from a more self-assured perspective, signaling Sza’s personal growth and maturity she has developed since her last album. It garnered much success as it was the #1 album in the country for 10 weeks, breaking the record for biggest streaming week for an r&b album, and charted 21 out of 23 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Below is my personal ranking of the 23-song album of Sza’s latest, SOS.
23. Too Late
In “Too Late” Sza sings about questioning whether to revisit an old relationship in hopes of rekindling. Though at the end of the song she admits that she is desperate to love and be loved, therefore, this desire to make-up may just be because she feels as if she has no other options, not because she truly misses her ex. Lyrically and sonically “Too Late” doesn’t stick out to me in comparison to the other tracks, though it’s still good as Sza simply can’t produce bad songs.
Best Lyric(s): Every time you break my heart, it feel new
22. Notice Me
“Notice Me” entails just what the title is composed of, wanting to be noticed by her partner as the most important person in their life. In the chorus Sza stresses that she wants to be her partner’s strongest emotional connection, not just their lover. “Notice me” is good but, as you will see on the rest of this list, there are many more songs on this album to praise.
Best Lyric(s): I don’t wanna be your girlfriend/ I’m just tryna be your person
21. Conceited
“Conceited” is yet another self-assertive anthem on this album that portrays her ability to tune out the rest of the world and not care about the opinions of others. On this track, Sza declares that she has “no reason to make friends” and that she has “been burning bridges, [she’d] do it over again’, explaining that she is deciding to live for herself. “Conceited” didn’t initially stick out to me but upon reflection, I registered that it spawned from Sza’s growth coming into her thirties, leaving behind the insecurities she felt so deeply in her twenties that she sang about on her previous album Ctrl. You can’t do anything but respect an artist when you recognize the self-improvement in their lyrics and musical adjustments in their voice.
Best Lyric(s): Heard they counting me out/ Love it when they counting me out
20. “Love Language”
“Love Language” is about Sza asking her partner for more transparency and communication so she can better showcase/navigate their love. The song samples her own single “Hit Different” ft. Ty Dolla Sign and seems to interpolate the lyrics of Aaliyah’s “I don’t wanna”. Though some lyrics signify some toxicity and suppression, Sza still considers her partner her “right hand man” and loves him enough to stick around and figure him out.
Best Lyric(s): Never mind ridin’ backseat when you lead me
19. “Seek and Destroy”
In this track, Sza sings about the destructive properties of love, navigating her feelings through vengeance for her partner singing “so necessary, the art of war” and “I had to do it to you”. By destroying what she once had with her partner she finally feels free and uses the pain to “fuel [her] soul”. As this song was the opener for her SOS tour, whenever I hear it I reminisce about the dimmering lights of the stadium and screams of thousands as Sza appears from behind a projector igniting a magical experience for many.
Best Lyric(s): Now that I’ve ruined everything, I cannot complain/ Now that I’ve ruined everything, I’m so f***** free
18. “Kill Bill”
“Kill Bill” is the most successful track on the album, marking Sza’s first #1 record on the Billboard Hot 100. In the catchy murder ballad, Sza expresses her desire to kill an ex that she is still in love with as she can’t fathom seeing them with somebody else. The title obviously alludes to the “Kill Bill” movie franchise and the music video includes several references to the film. In an interview with Billboard, when asked about the song’s success, Sza said, “It’s always the song that I don’t give a f*** about…not the s*** I put so much heart and energy into”, annoyed that the easiest song to make on the album became the most successful. Though I agree there are many songs on the album better than “Kill Bill”, its 2 minutes and 34 second span along with the concept/artistic vision, led to its great success.
Best Lyric(s): You was at the farmer’s market with your perfect peach
17. “Smoking on my Ex Pack”
In this track, Sza raps about her influence in the music industry, building up her recognition as a successful artist as she is “infect[ious] like microbe,” topping the charts and projecting high record sales. Before SOS, Sza was known for making “sad girl” music, a narrative she quickly dispelled by rapping unapologetically and aggressively over a beat produced by Jay Versace, a former Vine star. SOS includes genres, such as alt, rock, and multiple rap songs that have removed her from the r&b frame her former album Ctrl placed her in. “Smoking on my Ex Pack” is just another musical testament to Sza’s voice that can armor any fate and remain cohesive through any strain.
Best Lyric(s): Them “h*” accusations weak/Them “b****” accusations true
16. “I Hate U”
“I Hate U” was originally randomly released by Sza on SoundCloud on August 22, 2021. As the song gained much popularity, especially on Tiktok, Sza was prompted to officially drop it on streaming platforms. In the break up song Sza sings about the reasons why she resents her old partner, expressing also that she misses them. The song’s uber relatability and its purpose in quenching a long awaited music drought made the track an instant hit for Sza.
Best Lyric(s): Used to be your rider, you mishandle me/ Used to be nonviolent ’til you ambushed me
15. “Far”
“Far” deals with themes of running far away from your authentic self due to past troubling relationships where Sza might have conformed herself to fit her partner’s standards. The song opens with a conversation between Sza and Sanghuru, a spiritual guide and New York Times bestselling author, where she asks for advice on how to “deal with rejection,” to which he responds, “Oh, that’s great. If nobody wants you, you’re free.” Transitioning into Sza singing about wanting her sanity back because she doesn’t recognize who she is anymore. The conversation provides the perfect interlude into Sza’s new mindset as she sings about how she’s “done being used [and] done paying stupid,” positioning herself to be granted the freedom that Sanghuru previously mentioned.
Best Lyric(s): Far, far ‘causе I let you define mе
14. “Used” (feat. Don Toliver)
In “Used” Sza sings about being taken advantage of so much to a point where she’s numb to it. It is not as widely known or acclaimed as the other tracks but It’s definitely worth a listen. Don Toliver’s voice is astounding among the melody and pairs perfectly with Sza’s mournful tone as she recognizes the impact the death of many loved ones has caused on her perspective of herself.
Best Lyric(s): All that’s for real is forever/ Moments stolеn taste better
13. “Shirt”
Shirt was first previewed as a snippet on Sza’s Instagram story on October 7th, 2020 then resurfaced in 2021, going viral on TikTok as a dance challenge. Though it was initially untitled, the song was referred to as “Shirt” by many fans, to which Sza tweeted “I heard yall named my TikTok song ‘shirt’ lol. I’m fine with that.” The song was teased at the end of the music video for “Good Days”, a promotional technique Sza seems to use for many of her upcoming singles, and was officially released on October 28, 2022.
Best Lyric(s): Still don’t know my worth/Still stressin’ perfection/Let you all in my mental/ Got me lookin’ too desperate
12. “Forgiveless” (feat. Old Dirty Bastard)
Continuing on themes of self-assurance, Sza concludes her album with “Forgiveless,” an anthem of confidence where she sings about being unapologetic herself and daring people to mess with her. It pairs perfectly with SOS, as there she solidifies her dominance in the music industry, while in “Forgiveless,” in summary, she is stating, “This is me; take it or leave it; I don’t care.”
Best Lyric(s): You don’t think for yoursеlf and that’s none of my business/ You take it I dish it, I’m genie, three wishes
11. “Special”
“Special” is often compared to “Normal Girl,” a song from Sza’s first album Ctrl in which Sza sings about her desire to be normal in order to be accepted by her partner. On the other hand, “Special” lies on the opposite end of the spectrum, as she regretfully sings about losing all that made her special because of that same desire she sought after in “Normal Girl.” I love the connection Sza makes between her first and second albums, which fans quickly noticed, showing that no matter what age, there is always growth to be had. Desires once had in the past may not suit us in the future, and that’s ok because what makes us special is the journey we take to reach the opportunities or relationships that were meant for us.
Best Lyric(s): Hate how you look at her ’cause you never saw me/Like I was an art piece, like I was an ordinary girl
10. “SOS”
“SOS”, the titular track, is the perfect introduction into Sza’s self-assured perspective that she carries onto the album as a whole. The song begins with the sound of a missile being thrown up in the air and exploding, signifying her commanding return to music and even includes an interpolation of Beyonce’s “Listen”. As the opening track for the album, Sza uses it to reintroduce herself in a pretentious or egotistical manner singing “yeah that’s right, I need commissions on mine” and “know you been more than lost without me” pertaining to her contribution in the music industry. Here, Sza is putting herself on a pedestal, reclaiming her spot and her title as a lyrical mastermind. The song ends with the clicking of a gun that transitions into the second song on the album “Kill Bill”.
Best Lyric(s): They can’t survive off mini-me/ I’m talkin’ pedigree
9. “Low”
“Low” features adlibs from Travis Scott to accompany a dark instrumental beat in which Sza quiets down her voice when she says “keep it on the lowski”. The song is about Sza’s desire to keep the relationship she’s in on the low, grappling with the dualities of wanting to be invisible in public versus loud in private. Low is just another example of Sza’s versatility and experimentation among many different genres as “Low” is sung over a Trap beat.
Best Lyric(s): Got another side of me, I like to get it poppin’/ But these b****** in my business got me outchea choosin’ violence
8. “Nobody Gets me”
“Nobody Gets Me” is a breakup ballad that expresses how Sza felt after a failed engagement with her former fiance that she believed was the only person who truly understood her at the time. The guitar-driven melody paired with her melancholic tone perfectly expresses feelings of nostalgia and despair one may feel after a breakup. She slowly builds up to the chorus by intensifying her declaration of lyrics until her voice reaches an accentuation of desperation in the lyrics “How am I supposed to let you go”, signifying the internal battle she is facing. The music video to the alternative rock and folk song was released on the same day as her album and debuted as #10 on the Billboard hot 100.
Best Lyric(s): How am I supposed to let you go?/Only like myself when I’m with you
7. “Gone Girl”
On this track Sza references the novel-based psychological thriller Gone Girl and touches on themes of needing space but still craving intimacy. In this case, Sza is the “Gone Girl” who needs to walk away from her relationship for the sake of her own emotional and mental health. The lyrics offer a constant tug of war between holding on to memories from the past as “memories drown [her]…and [she] live[s] to escape” in comparison to confronting the truth of the present.
Best Lyric(s): Tryna find deeper meanin’ in nonsense/ Tryna grow without hatin’ the process
6. “Good Days”
“Good Days” released on Christmas day, two years before the album’s release, focuses on moving away from the past and being hopeful for the future. On this track, Sza uses biblical references like the battle of Jericho, Job, who failed to uphold his faith when tested, and Jesus, who carried the cross to his own crucifixion, to allude to her own emotional battles or “the war in [her] mind”. Though the song has some dark lyrics it’s juxtaposed by the heavenly melody and background vocals of Jacob Collier, ending on an optimistic note as she’s “tryna to free her mind before the end of the world”.
Best Lyric(s): All the while, I’ll await my armored fate with a smile
5. “Open Arms” (feat. Travis Scott)
The track begins with a couple words from Sza’s late grandmother, Norma Rowe whose vocals were used significantly in Sza’s first album Ctrl. Though “Open Arms” is the only song off SOS that she appears in other than at the beginning of “Used”. It is a ballad backed with acoustic guitar and is the fourth collaboration between Sza and Travis Scott. “Open Arms” is considered a love song due to the commitment both speakers are vowing towards each other though it isn’t romantic as the second verse implies some mistreatment and self esteem issues. At the end of the song Sza realizes that she has to “let [her partner] go” and transitions into a sample that includes rhythmic drums and a chant to Oshun: The River Goddess of Love in the Yoruba religion of Nigeria.
Best Lyric(s): Drew my favorite color, now you seein’ every shade of me
4. “F2F”
F2F (face to face) begins with acoustic guitar strums then steady drums overtake, and electric guitar chords transition into the grungy chorus. F2F, the only rock song on the album, was co-written and has background vocals by Lizzo. The song is about Sza trying to rebound from a breakup by getting with other people, attempting to fill a void by finding comfort in others though still in love with her ex. I love F2F because it’s a testament to Sza’s vocal versatility, proving that she isn’t limited just to be an r&b singer but can excel in any musical genre she decides to overtake.
Best Lyric(s): Get a rise out of watchin’ you fall/ Get a kick out of missin’ your call/ I hate me enough for the two of us/ Hate that I can’t let go of you enough
3. “Ghost in the Machine” (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
Ghost in the Machine, the best collaboration on the album, talks about Sza’s growing scorn towards the music industry or the “machine” she is stuck in, trying to find her humanity again. At first I was questioning how successful the execution of blending both Phoebe’s and Sza’s sounds would be but when the melody slowed and Phoebe entered the song as a ghostly presence, it was an immediate favorite. The alternative R&B song won Best Pop/Duo Performance at the 2024 Grammys.
Best Lyric(s): ‘Lеt’s talk about A.I., robot got more heart than I/ Robot got future, I don’t/ Robot get sleep, but I don’t power down/ I’m wide open, I’m awake, I’m on autopilot”
2. “Blind”
Blind , first featured at the end of the “Shirt” music video, was first fully sung by Sza on December 3, 2022 when she appeared on Saturday Night Live and announced her album release date at the end of her performance. The track, an R&B and Folk-pop song, is about how past relationships have negatively affected her reputation and her ability to see the good qualities within her. What I most appreciate about this song is how Sza paired such an angelic melody with raunchy lyrics, blending the two sounds together perfectly.
Best Lyric(s): “I don’t care how much you knew me in the past tense/ I ain’t no Julia Stiles, this ain’t no last dance, way past it”
1. “Snooze”
Snooze quickly became a fan favorite and was re-released as a single on August 25th, 2023, along with a music video. The track produced by Leon Thomas lll and Babyface was not originally for Sza’s album but for Babyface’s upcoming album, Girls Night Out. Leon and Sza have both told interviewers that this collaboration ignited when Sza walked past the recording studio where they were producing when the sample caught her attention and prompted her to walk in, inspiring her to write lyrics. Their collaboration process involved Sza having a separate studio room apart from Leon and Babyface, where she could have her own space where her creative juices could fly. Though at times they were separated, Leon said, “There was no ego; we were trying to make something cool that day.” Snooze is the only song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for all of 2023 and won Best R&B Song at the 2024 Grammys.
Best Lyric(s): “ Nasty habits take a hold when you not here/Ain’t a home when you not here/Hard to grow when you not here
