Only Ctrl by SZA could top not one, not two, but five year-end lists. Only Ctrl by SZA could be “universally acclaimed” on Metacritic. Only SZA could earn five nominations at the 2018 Grammy’s, including Best New Artist and Best Urban Contemporary Album. Only Ctrl by SZA could - okay, I think you get the point.
What better way to start R&B week than the flawless debut album by SZA, Ctrl.
The album opens and closes with raw guitar ballads, which end up being some of the highlights of the album. SZA gets back at her ex for doing her wrong while also discussing her insecurities on the opener “Supermodel.” The track’s simplicity, strong lyrics and the singer’s amazing voice make it one of my favourites on this album, and even SZA agrees. She sings “Why am I so easy to forget like that? It can't be that easy for you to get like that” at the end of the first verse. On the album closer “20 Something,” the singer admits that while she doesn’t necessarily have her life together, she doesn’t have to yet. She sings “Hopin' my 20 somethings won't end / Hopin' to keep the rest of my friends / Prayin' the 20 somethings don't kill me, don't kill me” in the chorus. SZA is enjoying her time as a 20-something-year-old, as that might be the last time where she can be young and free before settling down.
Oddly enough, another highlight of the album is the 77-second interlude “Wavy” featuring James Fauntleroy. The two sing about appearing to have a good time in their relationships, but in reality, are crying out for help. Fauntleroy sings “I was wavy… and I was drowning.” While they both sound amazing on the interlude, the production is the main reason that I’m able to listen to it on repeat all day long. It is definitely more modern and upbeat than most of the album and is the perfect boost of energy that the album needed before its final lap
While all of the tracks that I’ve mentioned so far are amazing, the holy trinity on Ctrl for me is tracks 8, 9 and 10 (“Garden (Say It Like That),” “Broken Clocks” and “Anything”). On “Garden,” SZA sings about her insecurities and needing emotional support in a relationship. Her voice shines brighter than ever over the smooth R&B-trap production and I was immediately hooked to the song on my first listen within the first few seconds. Next, the singer sings about the imbalance between her work and love life on the third single off Ctrl, “Broken Clocks.” She sings “I've paid enough of petty dues / I've heard enough of sh*tty news / I've had a thing for dirty shoes since I was 10 / Love dirty men alike” in the first verse over a dark instrumental. Finally, SZA questions the legitimacy of a fling on “Anything.” She sings “Down for the ride, down for the ride / You could take me anywhere… Do you even know I'm alive?” over the upbeat and experimental instrumental. These three songs were able to stand out from the pack, which is hard to do on such a flawless album.
In conclusion, it will be hard for SZA to top Ctrl, a vulnerable album filled with R&B perfection.
Stream Ctrl by SZA on Spotify and Apple Music.
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