SZA is in “Ctrl”
With a rating of five stars on iTunes and collaborations with Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad, “Ctrl” takes the trophy for SZA’s best album yet.
The 14-track album, abundant with poetic lyricism, is refreshingly unlike anything else in the music industry. Frankly, I’m surprised it hasn’t reached #1 on the top charts.
Although labelled as R&B, SZA successfully manages to blend elements of alternative, neo soul, and R&B into her own charming genre. Each song combines uplifting beats with mellow undertones, evoking a ‘feel-good’ rhythm, that, to quote Bob Seger, is the kind of music that just ‘soothes the soul’.
What resonates so much about “Ctrl” as opposed to other R&B albums in the industry is the deeper, ingrained meaning that SZA chooses to lay out on the table. Her album consists of songs like ‘Love Galore,’ about toxic relationships, ‘Normal Girl,’ about living up to expectations, or ‘Garden (Say It Like That),’ which deals with body positivity.
Most of the tracks on the album are followed by an interlude; a short recording of a phone call. In all of the calls, her mother and grandmother give her meaningful advice with messages that differ from speaking up for herself, standing her ground, overcoming obstacles and like the title of the album itself, taking control.
With both quality music and empowering content, SZA’s “Ctrl” is the perfect modern R&B album to listen to. The album is available on Apple Music, Soundcloud, Spotify, and is selling for $9.99 online. If you like empowering music, SZA will make you feel in “Ctrl”.
Hi, my name is Andres Quiroga-Elizondo, and I am a first year staff writer on the Hawkeye. I enjoy art, music, writing, and spending time with my friends....
Joey Sadikoff • Nov 2, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Hello Andreas! This is a great article, because it gives readers an insight of SZA and her latest work. As a result, readers could start listening to music that she has produced, and this article is really interesting because as a person that listens to her, I find it really interesting to know about her credentials and the fact that she is succeeding. I can relate to this article because I think it’s really interesting to write about something that you’re passionate about.
Adam Fuller • Nov 2, 2017 at 9:52 pm
Hi, my name is Adam from Miss Hammit’s Literary Genres class. You did a great job with this article, the hook really got me into listening to the album CTRL. What I really enjoyed reading about was the people who are featured in this album. Stating from the first paragraph “With a rating of five stars on iTunes and collaborations with Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad, “Ctrl” takes the trophy for SZA’s best album yet.” Now knowing the artists who are featured in this film, I am very excited to listen to this album later since I have not heard it yet.