In defense of my sister, SZA
S.O.S. please, someone help her.
After just five years alt-R&B singer, songwriter, and fellow Pisces moon SZA makes her return with a brand new album entitled S.O.S. The album consists of many (and I do mean many — 23 tracks, good Lord!) versatile tracks that show SZA’s growth in vocal ability and excellent songwriting. I will say that just like the last album it took me a minute to get into this one. (I’ve just accepted that with her bodies of work, I need to take my sweet time to process and enjoy it.) The album ranges in topics from self-love to toxic exes to desirability and more. SZA’s lyrics usually convey a level of vulnerability that a lot of people aren’t comfortable with and because of this, she has witnessed critique of the new project. Many people find her album regressive and mention her lack of growth on the album.
Now, I have a serious question for everyone. Why are we SO obsessed with linear narratives and constant upward growth on the path to self-improvement? Do I need to blame TikTok for this? The point is that those things are not necessarily true to real life. Yes, we as a collective are definitely on the self-improvement wave right now. Everyone is all about love and light and healing, healing, healing. But, fragments of healing consist of the moments that you regress, the moments you lie to yourself, and the times you may have projected a little too hard. You can 100% become a more self-assured individual while still wrestling with your imperfections on a day-to-day basis. The two are NOT mutually exclusive, people.
Now, back to SZA. I believe she sounds more confident on this album and more self-assured. I remember an interview with the Breakfast Club where she admitted to not knowing who she was. I listened to this album compared to CTRL (SZA’s other studio album) and see the difference and the growth. With art, there are no rules and as listeners, we are not owed relatability. An artist should be able to express themselves how they see fit and I think it’s interesting how we give grace to artists like Future, who musically haven’t grown since his debut, but with SZA we demand it. Be consistent, y’all.
To be honest I find SZA’s transparency refreshing in a world where people online love to pull the “that could never be me” card. When in actuality we’ve all been a little dumb, a little toxic, a little problematic, reckless, and so on. I find most of the negative critiques about this record lazy and definitely teetering on the misogyny line. I challenge everyone to ask themselves, "what are we saying when we rag on people who put their vulnerabilities into their art?” Is that actually a bad thing? Does that really mean the artist isn’t growing? In the words of SZA, “y’all lack humanity” and I am tired.
Thanks for reading and supporting and hello to all the new subbies. :) I hope everyone has a lovely and prosperous week and listen to “Ghost in the Machine” by SZA which is arguably the best song on the album and no, I’m not debating LOL.
xo, Diona