SZA — CTRL: Album Review
Women just want someone who can relate to their feelings, someone to finish their sentences and someone to expose all of their guilty pleasures. Those certain guilty pleasures that one may be too prideful to mention. Guilty pleasures that are kept in the tuck with hopes that one day their lovers will figure them out but, it continuously itches at them until they do.
SZA released her highly anticipated and long overdue album, CTRL, at 11:04pm last night and this is the exact moment I’d been yearning for for approximately two years. As I proceeded to twist my hair up for bed and run my shower, the only thing that I could think about was how deep is she going to take it. Was she going to keep it surfaced and radio friendly or, was she going to be as raw and real as her spirit allowed her to be? My questions were answered in full as soon as the guitar on Supermodel came tip toeing through my Bose headphones. At that moment, the standard was set for the remainder of the project. All I ever wanted was an album that strictly talked about insecurities, growth, love, deceit, being 20 something, and the growing pains that come with trying to find yourself. Yes, other artists touch on these topics but, not the way SZA does. It’s not sugarcoated or beat around the bush. While all of her lyrics are so complex and descriptive, the concept of each song is quite easy to understand.
While listening to this project, the free expression of SZA’s sexuality and sensuality pull that same sense of freedom out of women who tend to keep it fostered in their homes and shame other women for being freely open about it.
“I’m really tryna crack off on the headboard and bust it wide open for the right one. Is you that for me?” — Doves in the Wind
“Why you bother me when you know you don’t want me? Why you bother me when you know you got a woman? Why you hittin’ me when you know you know better, know you know better, know your crew better than you do.” — Love Galore
Garden hit home in particular because SZA walks us through a stage in her life when she relied on her significant other at the time for acceptance. It didn’t matter what anyone else said but, as long as it came out of her lovers mouth, she felt content. She was aware of her difficult ways and he knew of her insecure tendencies. But, even though he calls her out on her bullshit, she still wants him and only him to call her out. This person kept her sane, despite the failed relationship or “situationship”. He’s the only person who saw her at her worst so, in turn, she wants him to experience her best even though she’s not really showing her worst because if she did, he wouldn’t love her how he already claims to.
“I know you’d rather be laid up with a big booty. Probably hella positive cus’ she got a big booty. I know I’d rather be paid up. You know I’m sensitive bout’ having no booty. Having no body. Only you buddy. Can you hold me when nobody’s around?” -Garden
Let’s circle back on what I’m predicting to be one of the most controversial tracks of summer 2017. The spicy season of the side chicks. The Weekend caught me off guard. I was literally laying in my bed like “ OH!! That’s how you’re coming, sis? Heard you!” For those who haven’t heard the song yet, SZA is speaking from the perspective of a woman whose considered a “side chick”. Sometimes, side chicks don’t know that they’re side chicks and other times, they just don’t care. She’s living her best life and refusing to blame herself for the satisfaction she’s receiving from this encounter.
20 Something is the new anthem for all millennials trying to get through the motions of adulthood. I love the vulnerability and curiosity that she’s speaking on. I’ve been through moments where I’ve felt like I wouldn’t make it out. I’ve been through heartbreak and just wanting to question “ why couldn’t you say all of this to me so that we could take the proper steps to fix us?” It touches me on a spiritual level.
“How you ain’t say you was moving forward? Honesty hurts when you’re getting older. I gotta say I’ll miss the way you need me. Why you ain’t say you were getting bored? Why you ain’t say I was falling short? How’d you leave me out so far away?”
Stuck in them 20 somethings/Good luck on them 20 somethings/God bless them 20 somethings/Hoping my 20 something’s don’t end/Hoping to keep the rest of my friends/Praying these 20 something’s don’t kill me. “ — 20 Something
Overall, CTRL is soothing, uplifting, transparent, sad, chill, and most importantly the truth. The title of her album is perfect for the content because through it all, she displays that she has no control over the things that are meant to happen and it’s best to just learn from those experiences. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to elevate and appreciate real music.
