SZA – CRTL #Review – EllaThought

SZA is singing for the broken hearted. I could swear this album is dedicated to “niggas who trivialize pussy”, she might say. Or the side chick, as the internet has mentioned. I can’t give you too much of a positive lyric but it is an overall great album. In the first track, Sza admits that she could be a supermodel if [he] saw her as one. This might be R&B/Soul but I would categorize it more as Electronic Blues (the songs are more about heart break than falling in love).

As she Skrt Skrts on niggas… Sza is passionately emotionless. The production is great & her raspy voice makes the vibe so amazing you’ll catch yourself singing “Never even pushed for the pussy; where is Forest now when you need him?” or flow with Kendrick on “Doves in the Wind” while he explains that “pussy is so undefeated, let’s amen to that.” Still, if you happen to sing any of it outloud, you might actually hear what’s she’s saying. There’s nothing positive in her music. It’s really all… side chick verses. It’s all fairly depressing and lonely… We all know that girl who says “fuck niggas” is really just hurting.

I just don’t think there is anything impressive or new on this album. Rihanna would have rocked these songs (especially Drew Barrymore which has a lusty, raspy twang & drastic vocal switches that sounds like it should have been on Anti) because every song sounds like it could have been on Anti. She was on/wrote Rihanna’s “Consideration” and I could barely tell them apart on the song… to me…it’s the same girl different body:

Why is it so hard to accept the party is over?
You came with your new friends
And her mom jeans and her new Vans
And she’s perfect and I hate it, oh so glad you made it
I’m so glad you could come by
Somebody get the tacos, somebody spark the blunt
Let’s start the Narcos off at episode one
Bring the gin, got the juice
Bring the sin, got that too
Whoa, just shut up, know you’re my favorite
Am I…

Warm enough for ya outside baby, yeah
(Tell me that it’s warm enough here for ya)
Is it warm enough for ya inside me, me, me, me
…

I get so lonely, I forget what I’m worth
We get so lonely, we pretend that this works
I’m so ashamed of myself think I need therapy-y-y-y
I’m sorry I’m not more attractive
I’m sorry I’m not more ladylike
I’m sorry I don’t shave my legs at night
I’m sorry I’m not your baby mama
I’m sorry you got karma comin’ to you
Collect and soak in it right

If you’re relating to Sza lyrics… I kind of pity you. It just doesn’t seem like a happy place. I don’t say that to take from her talent or integrity; Amy Whinehouse, Nikki Giovanni, Billie Holiday and Kanye West have all made some of the music beautiful music in the world via pain. I just have this thing where I listen to the music. I can’t say I’m comfortable listening to this album too much because it simply doesn’t relate to me (anymore). I recognize her stories… and that’s why I don’t like it. There’s better out there.