React & Review: SZA - SOS (Part 1)
I'm Gone, Girl.
I’m a bit late to the party. But as they say, better late than never. As far as I’m aware, I’ve only ever heard one SZA track and that would be Kill Bill. Otherwise, I’m a complete novice. And yes, I completely missed the original release of this album from a few years ago.
I am, however, very excited about this album because I’ve heard nothing but good things from peers and friends. It’s been high up there on my list of albums I needed to get around to. And now is a better time than ever to get that done.
If I end up liking it enough (and I probably will), next up on my list will be the deluxe version of the album.
So without further ado, here’s my first reaction and full review of SZA’s SOS (Part 1).
SOS
Okay, right off the rip I do love how they played into the SOS theme. Obviously, a song has a name for a reason, but wasn’t expecting it that early, I suppose.
The contrasting production is fantastic. The instrumentation is high-pass filtered, letting her vocals truly shine.
I’m in love with the first rap verse as well. A ton of different references signaling that she’s really fired up. For what? I’m not quite sure. But we’ll undoubtedly find out in the coming songs.
Kill Bill
This is the only song I’ve heard on the album before. But it’s been a hot minute since I’ve last heard it. So, maybe think of it as a second first impression.
I definitely understand how this track made it to my library in the first place. The groove, even within the first verse, is so catchy. It’s a certified head bopper for sure.
Her backing vocals in the chorus are very interesting. It’s not quite adding another layer to the main vocal as much as it is filling it out if that makes any sense. Let me try to explain. Her main vocals are very centered and dry to my ears, while her backing vocals are panned left and right and are lower in the mix, but have much more reverb and energy to them. It makes for a really wide sounding overall vocal mix.
The half time beat on the second verse is killer, combining that with her vocal pacing getting much quicker. Again, really awesome production ideas at play here.
Seek & Destroy
That synth is absolutely killer and so is the deep, sub-bassy pulsating bass. I think this is another certified head bopper and I’m only 15 seconds in. The drum kit is a great contrast here, too. And I feel like I’m going to say that a lot on this album. Just a hunch.
The panning hi-hat starting in the second verse is very fun. I’d argue it is a bit pulsating there too, which, again, is super fun.
I couldn’t find any information on this, and obviously I’m new to SZA, but the bridge did not sound like her to my ears at all. But great on her for having a wider vocal range. Or maybe it’s just a really cool vocal effect? That’s possible, too.
The winding down outro is fantastic, too. While simultaneously adding some instruments back in. It definitely sounds like we’re going to get a smooth transition into the next track. But am I right?
Low
Nope. In fact, far from it. We got an audio version of a fade in. Damn. But the vocal effects for the first few lines of the song are fantastic, though.
Oooooof, once again with that sub-bassy bass. Whether it’s in R&B, pop, hip-hop, or whatever other genre, I’m always a sucker for very deep bass. Especially when it’s done well.
I’m gonna keep it 100 with y’all. I didn’t really get a feel for this song at all. As of the writing of this react/review, it’s not going in my library. Things can change, but didn’t really vibe with this track much.
Love Language
That guitar with reverb and panning for the intro is great. I’m not usually a fan of artificial snaps (I vastly prefer actual snaps that are left in from the vocal tracks), but this one is solid. I love how laid back this track is, very practical and simple instrumentation.
The messaging in the track is great, too. Effectively, "I’m telling you what you need to do to keep me because I really like you." Obviously, an oversimplification, but it’s such an awesome message to convey.
I love the strings that come in for the last 40 seconds or so. It lets the song breathe. And there’s that SOS message again.
Blind
Woah, a smooth transition into the next track. I was not expecting that at all. But again with that guitar, this time an acoustic one.
This is a solid skip for me. I did not connect to this song at all. (I skipped about halfway through the song.)
Used (featuring Don Toliver)
As per usual, I’ve never heard of the featured artist. This time this will be Don Toliver, so this should be a treat.
It’s a good change of pace. I like the less gut wrenching and more bouncy bass here. The high-passed hi-hat fills the space quite nicely as well, giving the track a more warm and inviting sound.
Honestly, not much to say on this track. But that’s not a bad thing. I loved it and I’m glad it introduced me to Don Toliver.
Snooze
So far, the thing that sticks out to me the most about this album is how SZA and her team are able to do so much with so little. Her vocal pacing is fantastic here along with the backing vocals with reverb in the first verse.
This track feels like home to me. It’s not warm and soothing, but it’s very welcoming. It’s a certified head bopper.
The phased vocal effect at around the two minute mark is exceptional. Again, her production is very dynamic with just the simplest tools. That needs to be celebrated.
Notice Me
Yeah sorry, this one will be another skip. I just couldn’t get into it. I gave it a shot through the first chorus and was not feeling it.
Gone Girl
The ooooh’s at the beginning are fabulous. Absolutely gorgeous. So is that electric piano. Fantastic.
Hate to say it once again, but this is a solid skip from me as well. Listened through the first chorus and second verse.
Smoking on my Ex Pack
Can’t help but notice how short this track is. That’s fine, even better, honestly. I love me some short tracks.
The groove and that distorted sub-bass are scratching an itch in a really good way. I’m a huge fan.
It’s short but definitely a top five track for me. Certified head bopper. Some may say it’s overdone, but I think the fade out was a great choice.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap for the first of the album. There are a handful of hits in there, but in the same vein, there were more skips than I had originally anticipated. It’s still way too early to give an overall rating or anything, but I will say that it’s going a bit rougher than expected.
I’m splitting this one into a two parter because it’s taking me a bit longer than expected to get through this album with some personal stuff going on in my life currently.
Whatever the case may be, get subscribed and tune back in next week as I wrap up and finish the second half of this album! (I will update this post with a link once it’s published!)
NOTE: This reaction was completed after listening to the first 11 tracks of SZA’s SOS (24-bit, 44.1 kHz) on Tidal with an active Tidal subscription on the Roon desktop application.