SZA’s ‘SOS’ Is a Sprawling, Risk-Taking Triumph — Even at 23 Tracks

SZA’s second album, SOS, is a 23-track statement of intent. It arrives five years after Ctrl established her as one of R&B’s most candid voices, and it does not settle for a repeat. Instead, the record sprawls across genres — pop, rap, rock, folk — while keeping her sharp, specific songwriting at the center. It is a long album, 68 minutes, and it wants to prove she can do almost anything. Mostly, it does.

An Opening Run That Sets the Rules

The album opens with the title track, “SOS,” a brief, atmospheric call for help that sets a darker tone than her debut. It is a warning shot, not a mission statement. Then comes “Kill Bill,” the revenge fantasy that became the record’s biggest hit. The chorus is simple and brutal: she wants her ex dead, then she wants him back. It is funny, vicious, and instantly memorable.

“Seek & Destroy” and “Low” keep the momentum. The former leans into a heavier, guitar-driven sound, while “Low” is a slick, confident flex about emotional detachment. “Love Language” slows things down, a smooth, seductive track about wanting clearer communication. “Blind” is one of the strongest early cuts, a self-aware admission of fault wrapped in a lush, melancholic production. “Used” follows, a short, bitter track about feeling taken for granted.

Snooze and the Middle Stretch

“Snooze” is the album’s quiet centerpiece. It is a patient, warm love song that builds slowly, and it won a Grammy. “Notice Me” is slighter, a quick plea for attention that does not land as hard. “Gone Girl” stretches past four minutes, a moody, atmospheric track about disappearing from a relationship. “Smoking on My Ex Pack” is a minute-and-a-half joke with a sharp hook, and it works because it does not overstay.

“Ghost in the Machine” is a standout, a collaboration that blends SZA’s R&B with an indie rock sensibility. It is unexpected and it pays off. “F2F” is the loudest curveball, a pop-punk track with distorted guitars and screamed vocals. It is a gamble, and it is the kind of risk that could sink a lesser album. Here, it just shows range. “Nobody Gets Me” is a tender, acoustic-tinged ballad that feels like a direct confession. It is one of the most emotionally direct songs she has written.

The Back Half Delivers Payoffs

“Conceited” is a short, braggy track that feels like a palate cleanser. “Special” is more vulnerable, a song about feeling ordinary. “Too Late” and “Far” are solid but unremarkable, the kind of tracks that fill space without demanding attention. “Shirt” is a highlight, a track that had been teased for years before its release. It delivers, with a hypnotic beat and some of her best vocal work on the album.

“Open Arms” is a slow-burning duet that works better than it should. “I Hate U” is a direct, bitter track about a toxic relationship, and it is one of the most immediate songs here. “Good Days” closes the album’s emotional arc, a hopeful, sunlit track that was released as a single in late 2020. It is a relief after so much turmoil. “Forgiveless” is the final track, a short, aggressive closer that features a posthumous verse. It ends the album on a note of defiance, not resolution.

The Length Is a Real Issue

The 23-track running time is the album’s biggest weakness. At 68 minutes, SOS is a lot to take in one sitting. The middle stretch, from “Notice Me” through “Too Late,” has several tracks that feel like filler. “Far” and “Conceited” are fine, but they do not add much. A tighter edit, maybe 16 or 17 tracks, would have made the record more focused.

But the sprawl is also part of the point. SZA is not trying to make a tidy album. She is showing what she can do, and the variety is the appeal. The AllMusic review described it as an advancement from Ctrl in every respect except cohesion. That is a fair trade. The highs here are higher than anything on her debut, and the ambition is admirable.

The Verdict

SOS is a bold, messy, rewarding album. It is not perfect, and the length hurts it. But the best tracks — “Kill Bill,” “Snooze,” “Ghost in the Machine,” “Good Days” — are among the best songs of her career. SZA has grown as a songwriter, and she is not afraid to take risks. The record is a confident statement from an artist who knows exactly what she is doing.

It earns a 9 out of 10.

Album Facts

• Album: SOS by SZA
• Release: 2022
• Tracks: 23
• Running time: 68 minutes
• Metacritic score: 90/100

album review · Kill Bill · R&B · SOS · SZA