Ctrl
SZA
2017
Album Summary
Ctrl (pronounced "control") is the debut studio album by American singer SZA. It was released on June 9, 2017, on Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. It features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad. Originally scheduled for release in late 2015, it was delayed by SZA's experience of "a kind of blinding paralysis brought on by anxiety." She reworked the album until her record company took away her hard drive in the spring of 2017.SZA wrote most of the album's lyrics and collaborated with producers including Craig Balmoris, Frank Dukes, Carter Lang, Scum and ThankGod4Cody to achieve its sound. The efforts resulted in a primarily neo-soul and R&B album, with elements of hip-hop, electronic, pop, indie and soul. Lyrically, the album has a confessional theme, which touch upon SZA's personal experiences and complexities of modern love; including desire, competition, jealousy, sexual politics, social media, and low self-esteem. Ctrl was supported by five singles: "Drew Barrymore", "Love Galore", "The Weekend", "Broken Clocks", and "Garden (Say It Like Dat)". Upon release, it received widespread acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised its cohesiveness and production, as well as SZA's vocal delivery. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, moving 60,000 equivalent-album units in its first week. The album and its songs were nominated for four Grammy Awards, while SZA was nominated for Best New Artist. It was also included in several year-end best music lists by publications. In 2020, the album was ranked at 472 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.A deluxe edition featuring seven new songs was released on June 9, 2022, exactly five years after the original release.
WikipediaEh, just modern r&b that seems to celebrate trashiness. Lots of ting ting ting sounds, do u wanna fuck dis pussy n---a, etc etc. Imagine if this ends up getting shot into space for the aliens to hear, haha. 1/5.
A beautiful, messy dive into the mind, life, and relationships of SZA. The album is aptly named, as it touches so many aspects of what control means...what does it mean to be in control? What do you get from it, or what do other people get from having it over you? Is it worth it? So many thoughts and ideas radiate from SZA's confessional record. With the emotional and narrative strength she harbors, the production and music is as equally strong. And there lies a deeper layer of control, to have such a strong presence musically while covering subjects of infidelity, betrayal, the struggles of womanhood and youth...it's so richly done. There's definitely a lot to unpack, and sometimes the album gets lost in certain moments, but it feels like an album that only ages and matures with each listen. The Kendrick feature was a little weak for me, and some sound choices were a little underwhelming, but overall I really enjoy this album. It makes you think. Consider me a fan. Favorite Songs: Prom, 20 Something Least Favorite: Wavy
4.4 + An honest and raw survey of love and sex from the perspective of a young female of color. SZA unbares herself emotionally, and at times it sounds like she's almost ugly-crying while handing me her phone so I can read a text from bae. Despite the rawness of emotion, the songs themselves are sophisticated with interesting chord structures and arrangements. Also, SZA's voice is just delicious. Highlights: "Supermodel", "The Weekend", "20 Something."
Genre: Alternative R&B 4/5 One of modern R&B's sweetest and sexiest musical statements, SZA's CTRL is thematically introspective, and musically lush and playful. An album made for women by a woman, it's a project that doesn't speak much to the male experience, but is straightforward and honest enough to be transcendent in its message. SZA's voice is the true highlight here, intermingling with trap/R&B-influenced production throughout with style and grace, and by all accounts almost entirely improvised. Some songs here range from Neo-Soul to Indie Rock, as SZA's influences can be heard from Timbaland to The Police, and it forms a rich palate of sounds for us to feast on as the tracklist progresses. The first half of the album is some of the best R&B the decade has to offer, with Supermodel serving as a flawless, near-psychedelic intro, flowing into Love Galore and Doves in the Wind, the latter featuring one of Kendrick Lamar's best features, which leads into Drew Barrymore and Prom rounding out the first 5 tracks with alt-pop flair and synth hits that would make anyone groove out. The album is interspersed with sweet, loving advice being given to SZA by her mother over the phone, a classic trope that exists throughout R&B and hip-hop, and is a great communicating device to flesh out themes and concepts. Overall, this project excels at being itself, and not shying away from introspection, and providing us with solid tunes full of soul, energy, and passion. A pop-R&B triumph, as far as I'm concerned.
Absolutely gorgeous Normal Girl and Go Gina supremacy I loved the hints of her grandmother throughout
While Jhene Aiko is more my flavor, I do have a soft spot for 2010s R&B. This album was no exception, with beautiful vocals, production, and features that spice up the projext.
SZA has talent and this album is a bop. For me probably not a modern-day classic but that's for the critics to decide, I guess.
Absolutely nothing special about this - nice enough, if you like that sort of thing. I don't. It's just offensive, passive racist rubbish.
This album get's 2 stars for the creative song-writing. The vocals however are terrible. Her voice has so much processing and auto-tune applied that maybe she should just considered song-writing for others. If you want to hear an amazing R&B that came out around the time this one did check out Kali Uchis' Isolation. It should replace CTRL in the book.
Wow! Normalmente este tipo de música no es mi estilo, pero este disco me atrapó desde el inicio.
Have heard this album praised before and this listen was good confirmation of that. Shocked I'd never listened before!
Rating: 9/10 Bests songs: Love galore, Doves in the wind, Drew Barrymore, Prom, The weekend, Normal girl, Pretty little birds
This isn’t a genre I’m very familiar with, and I hadn’t heard any of this before. Loads of talent packed onto this and I enjoyed the personal feel for the stories. I started off thinking this was in the 4 range, but on the second listen the amazing detail in the music and lyrics really struck me and I fell for this. There’s a dreamy quality to the songs that really elevates the album. Fantastic!
Since I am old and the kids' music (anything released after 2000) doesn't tend to appeal to me (or so I think), I did not expect to like this much. What a great surprise! I love SZA's vocal fry and appreciate her P.O.V. I found several of the songs very moving. Maybe the kids are all right. (Ooh, I shouldn't call a woman in her 30s a kid. But, you know what I mean. The youngs. Signed, Gramma.)
I am familiar with a little bit of SZA, but this is a first album listen. I quite appreciated it!
this is the newest album we’ve gotten so far, and you can tell why it was included. amazing production, great features, and sza is an excellent vocalist. very solid 5
I’m a sucker for neosoul, so of course I like this. SZA is great, she’s not my favorite in the genre, but the album is well produced, the lyrics are right, and SZA certainly brings a lot of emotion and energy to all of the tracks
This album is the absolute best, I listened to this album a while before I got it here and it's so good, I don't know what else to say.
For a time, CTRL seemed primed to become The Miseducation of our generation; in that, with one mission statement, SZA had the culture at the palm of her hand, signaling that she was the one in the driving seat (it didn't hurt that her label mate Kendrick was also there, along with a few other passengers...) taking us where we needed to go. The near fifty or so minutes of this masterwork is the epitome of 2017, yet another highmark for Black female musicians offering tantalizing and beyond valuable music that speaks for themselves and for the listeners who will keep flocking to it (and have been) in the present and near future. Bring on the new album... whenever that may be!
I have been sleeping on SZA and this album was phenomenal. Shame on me for not listening to more of her stuff sooner!
F$*&. This is what I hate about modern rap and R&B (thanks Dre). The opening track's lyrics are super deep to start and the music accompaniment is great. Her voice is also very good. Raw energy. And then it devolves into f$*&ing your man and how big his dick is. Track 3 doesn't even bother with the pretense - let's just sing about pussy. Again, thanks Dre and other trailblazers. One day I'll really delve into this because I love rock, which is often about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Perhaps its the bluntness of R&B that gets me, and perhaps rock has more poetic innuendo. Or maybe I'm being unfair to R&B and biased toward rock. BS lyrics and typical tropes aside, there's a lot to like about the album. Drew Barrymore is awesome; real powerful. Prom is a little poppy, but I quite liked it. I kinda knew where The Weekend was going from the opening sleazy/porn beat. Kind of stayed that way for a few tracks - a little more poetry and innuendo than earlier tracks though. All in all, she is a good lyricist, just wish she'd write about deeper stuff more often (like 20 Something). Music, beats, tracks well polished.
Pussy juice exploding right in my eyes. It stings a little, but feels wonderful. I mix it with acid and throw it at innocent bystanders in the street. Fuck them.
Bra grejer, musiken lät bra och jag tyckte SZAs meddelande var positivt och välakrivet.
This was very slick - listened twice while working and it's melodic enough in most places that it slips pleasantly into the background - I'd probably get more out of it with a focused listen paying more attention to the lyrics... Fave track - "20 Something", maybe? Or "The Weekend"... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Synth drums: check R&B elements: check Multilayered productions: check Sexually explicit lyrics: check Big names as guests: check A TikTok single: check A stereotypical "modern music" album. But whether or not you agree that "modern music bad", this particular work is surprisingly well done.
4.5/5. Better than I remember. The first half of the album is amazing. Great songs and great features. I felt that the second half of that album, while it was by no means bad, it lacked in song quality, compared to the first half. Overall, a really good album.
one of the few modern r&b records very good early tracks heavily inspired by frank ocean
This is a great album. You get a sense of who she is from the lyrics, there are some great grooves and production and I remember being wowed by this when it first came out. A true album sonically and conceptually. I didn't give it a higher score because I actually think it's too long. No song is bad, but by the end the songs start to sound similar to me as most of the songs have similar tempos/melody lines etc. So while it's not a super long album, I think it could cut a track or two.
I hadn't heard (or don't recall hearing) anything by this artist before, and I am so glad this project introduced me to her and her work. Such an interesting personal style that combines a variety of sounds and influences. There are enough layers and textures in most of the tracks, along with some nicely composed harmonies and melodies, that my ear stayed engaged for quite a lot of this album. Really good stuff here and I'll definitely listen to it again.
Not my usual vibe at all, but that doesn't mean it didn't get me vibin. Great vocals, a few solid standout tracks, and overall a good time.
Great combo of hip hop beats, and good pop/rock playing. The language is authentic but may turn some people off from this album. She is an amazing talent and more people should know about her.
This album is bold and sexy but has a vulnerability to it that is surprising. While not something I would listen to regularly and definitely not music aimed at me, SZA creates music that is difficult to ignore. The features are pretty reliable as well. Standout songs are 20 Something and Pretty Little Birds.
The features were the weakest part by far. More SZA, less other people. Best track: Drew Barrymore
SZA’s CTRL has an ethereal nature to it, almost like as if the listener is hearing it through a haze. The music itself exists somewhere between triphop, R&B and neo-soul. Overall, the album is a chronicle of the love life of a twenty something woman of color and seems to wrestle with themes of identity as she is approaching 30. Overall, this album feels like listening to a dream or a memory. None of the individual elements feel groundbreaking, but taken together, this album is unique and engaging.
I was pretty uneasy at the beginning of this album, but it was wonderful at the end. Favorite tracks: Broken Clocks, 20 Something
Not the usual genre I listen to but this was good, liked Kendrick's song
I don’t think I am SZAs target market but this was pretty good with lots of weird sounds and odd twists and turns.
Inconsistent, but very good when it gets its stride. Highlight tracks: 4, 8, 9, 10
This may be a tad harsh because I didn’t give it my full attention…. I’ll try and revisit!
This is pleasant enough but I struggle to see why it is put on such a high pedestal, it sounds a lot like all the other neo-soul/alternative R&B out there. It's no A Seat At The Table.
meh, not my bag at all but fairly acceptable. its nice to see banging on about your genitals isn't just a male rapper thing.
Nice r&b with cool murky beats on some tracks. I think this list could have stopped being updated at 2005 though, just a thought
It's a solid album not bad not perfect. It has some good songs "like doves in the wind". I liked the album but I probably won't listen to it again any time soon.
Blurry slurred delivery and lazy beats. A lot of it sounds like the same couple of ideas endlessly reworked. Nice enough but a bit shrug really.
Good contemporary stuff, although a bit too forward for my sensitive ears. Don’t think it has long term staying power though, very much on the disposable end of the pop spectrum (unlike, for example, Solangés album, which is a clear inspiration)
An intriguing album from an artist with a lot to say, SZA brings late night tales of modern relationships over sparse stripped back beats. Whilst it’s not a classic there’s plenty to enjoy and more to come, no doubt.
I listened to this when it came out but hadn't gone back to it, it's still pretty good. She's definitely one of the better RnB songwriters
I enjoyed this. Really smooth and well crafted r'n'b. More interesting than the mainstream, with real (gasp!) personal viewpoints. Enjoyable. Sounds like this was a crushing, angst-filled experience to produce, and who knows if she will ever manage to follow it up, but here's hoping she does. Standout track for me: The Weekend.
I don't listen to much 2010s music so I had to listen closely to this neo-soul entry, which is one of the most raved about. I decided to look up the opinions online, but it all boils down to how gorgeous her appearance and voice are, and how "relatable" her lyrics are. Damn zoomers. One thing I notice is how most songs start off with a unique chillwave sample. Some forget about it immediately but other tracks really morph it as the song goes on. Immediately with "Supermodel" I notice she sounds a lot like Amy Wimehouse. It's a great track to start off the album and entice me. Love the drums at the end. Next we have two collabs. "Love Gazore" has an ok beat, but Travis Scott's autotune is the most horrific sound imaginable. Almost turned me off. "Doves in the Wind" is a much better collab. Lamar really kills it with performance, and SZA does better here too. Check out the music video for this one. Nice samples. "Drew Barrymore" returns the focus to those strong vocals. More and more she sounds like Winehouse. Really impactful chorus, and amazing violins at the end. "Prom" is an outliner synthwave dance track. Not sure why this exists, or why it wasn't a single. It's good. The next song "The Weekend" is the lead single I believe, which serves as an ode to 90s neo-soul. Has the most poetic and unique lyrics but is a tad monotonous. The second half songs were much less impressive. "Go Gina" is the most boring track. "Garden" is boring, especially those beats, but it's bright and I like when it picks up. "Broken Bells" has a grand sound but it still sounds generic. "Anything" was a strange exception, I really enjoyed the 80s computer samples, felt magical and dreamy, and that wall of sound in the coda was really pleasing. The interlude "Wavy" really sucked. A low for me. "Normal Girl" is pretty decent, nice vocal performance and entrancing samples. Is that a guitar ending? The next is a collab, and SZA sounds angelic here, but little can be said. There's some interesting samples, like a jazz piecd. We end with "20 Something." The lyrics are a fitting melancholic closer to the album, and the sample tries to match it (could be better), but the mixing is bad, and she's putting a little too much effort and not enough emotion for what's to be a solemn end.
sounds like an average modern rb pop album tbh thematics and lyrics are at some points above average but the rest sounds like drum loops so im not sure why there is a book required for the writing credits
Decent R&B/Rap that doesn't really offer anything and whose addition to this list is questionable. Not bad enough for a two stars though
Not what I would usually listen to. Some tracks were just trite, runn of the mill boasting raps. Drew Barrymore and the last track were excellent though and worth every ounce of praise. The production is top notch and so beautifully layered
A blunt, important statement of relationships in the modern world. Not always pretty, but quite compelling. It reminds me of an R&B/hip-hop version of Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville. As a debut, it is audacious and hopefully a sign of more interesting music ahead.
This grew on me over the course of the album. Sort of a hardcore version of Adele. I liked the song about Forrest Gump and pussy. 3 stars.