Although SZA’s album named ctrl (pronounced “control”) has been out for a long time, the recent release of “Hit Different” and its music video has sparked interest the album. SZA’s signature sound is stripped back and has r&b themes.

Before the album was released on Jun. 9, 2017, SZA released two prior albums named “S” on Apr. 10, 2013, and “Z” on Apr. 8, 2014.

The new single “Hit Different” walks listeners through the emotions of a relationship that is not sincere. Watching someone SZA and Ty Dolla $ign love be with someone else creates envy. The song trended on the popular social media app Tic Tok so many new listeners were drawn to SZA.

Sad guitar and bass start off the album in the song “supermodel,” which details SZA’s experience with a cheating man; she feels undervalued, just wanting to be his supermodel, “I could be your supermodel If you believe.” The song talks about how SZA is insecure and feels dependent on her relationship, “Wish I was comfortable just with myself / But I need you.”

The second track “love galore” features popular rap artist Travis Scott. At the time of the release, SZA was lesser-known, but Travis Scott saw her talent and collaborated to create a hit song which trended on the app Music.ly, now called Tik Tok.

The song “Doves in the wind” features Kendric Lamar, a lyrical genius, and talks about SZA empowerment. In the song SZA and Kendric say the word “p*ssy” many times but the one time “d*ck” is said SZA bleeps it out, swiftly reverse all sex shaming toward women and normalize female sexual power.

Drew Barrymore is a song where SZA grapples with her insecurities, and finally expresses them. The song addresses the way her lopsided relationship causes low self esteem. The song’s chorus goes: “Warm enough for ya outside baby, yeah / Is it warm enough for ya inside me, me, me, me?” she’s debating if she is “hot” or attractive enough for a man’s liking.

The album ends with the song “20 something,” which features soft guitar and SZA’s signature softer vocals encapsulating bittersweet into a sound. On The track SZA admits that she doesn’t have her life together, and that she hopes to keep all her friends, she admits that she is struggling. As SZA comes closer and closer to her 30’s she looks back on the past reminiscing all her memories whether good or bad, taking listeners on a journey of her thoughts and emotions about growing up. “Stuck in them 20 somethings” is repeated multiple times showing how she’s stuck in the past not wanting to grow up.

Ctrl is an album with personal, relatable lyrics created by an artist with star power talent. The album was nominated at the 60th Grammys for Best New Artist, Best Urban Contemporary Album (Ctrl), Best R&B Song (“Supermodel”), Best Rap/Sung Performance (“Love Galore”) and Best R&B Performance (“The Weekend”).

Rating: ★★★★★