SZA- CTRL A- 93

Feast your eyes she finally drops an official solo album. The First Lady Of TDE has a nice buzz for CTRL seems like the project is all about self love and having complete control of situations you go through in life. Remember in Juice when Bishop told Steel, “I have more control of your life than you do.” Steel said, “How?” then Bishop told you, “I’m letting you live.” That’s pretty much what this album is all about. A semi-autobiography of either SZA’s life or someone she studied. Watching her Breakfast Club interview pulled me in and she’s just a normal, nerdy, sexy woman trying to find her way in this world of bullshit. So I mean if you were a fan of: “See.SZA.Run”, “S”, and “Z”, you will love this album I promise!

“Supermodel”

Well this song is crazy, as SZA brags about fucking her exes homeboy after he stood her up on Valentine’s Day to go to Vegas and cheat on her with multiple women. The opener is a thesis statement about the album’s concept. As SZA proclaims she’s leaving for the final time. Leaving the listener to believe this isn’t the first time she’s forgiven this person.

 

“Love Galore” (featuring Travis Scott)

This record was a nice way to kick this shit off to promote it. However this song is about her forgiving her man and taking him back. In the video she basically seduces her man only to tie him up and to lock him up in the hotel as someone chops the guy up into pieces. However this is also about lust. Although the guy has another woman he falls right into the abyss with SZA. Which isn’t hard. Travis Scott in his verse wonders why he is back in the fold all of a sudden when SZA is the one who left him high and dry.

 

“Doves in the Wind” (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

This song right here can argue for best on the album. This song is like Kendrick Lamar “YAH” and “LUST” put together. It’s basically a song about how niggas fall victim to the pussy daily due to the value that it brings to the table. Kendrick’s verse is basically the synopsis of this song about how strong the pussy is and how it has the biggest impact of some relationships and how it changes the overall outlook.

 

“Drew Barrymore”

Lord, this song is my favorite one. This song is brutiful (Lil’ Scrappy voice). This rubs me off as a song about insecurity. Self-love issues. And the ups and downs of the relationship. It’s all about being good enough for their partner. SZA explained that the metaphor “Drew Barrymore” is for someone who isn’t the perfect person that men just lust for. They aren’t the hottest thing on the market but they have a uniqueness that only few can accept they have a goofiness and a quirkiness to them which makes them standout but it’s hard to handle not being the “pretty girl”. They just want acceptance.

 

“Prom”

This is all about promises. It’s about flaw accepting. SZA appreciates her man for being patient for her to work on her flaws. And when she lashes out, it’s all on herself and has nothing to do with her partner. This beat has a Prince vibe to it sounds like Prince would write this shit too.

 

“The Weekend”

This shit cold as fuck dog. SZA talks about being a role player in a relationship. She compares the man that she shares a relationship to a day shift and a weekend. She says the main chick opposite SZA is like a day shift and boring. And SZA is the weekend bringing more excitement and fun, and more stimulating sex. Although SZA wants a bigger role in the relationship but she’ll remain in her role as the side piece. This definitely has a 90’s vibe music wise.

 

“Go Gina”

SZA explains that she is talking to a girl who she feels is too stuck up and sheltered. She needs to get up and let loose on the world. She feels like a fan of her chanting “GO GINA” in the stands. It’s comparable to Martin because Pam is the one who is single and free. And Gina seems to be the one who is stuck in her lane. SZA plays the Pam role on this record pretty dope idea.

 

“Garden (Say It Like Dat)”

Well seems like SZA is reaching for acceptance from her man. All she is reaching for is her man to appreciate her flaws and all. She claims her ass isn’t fat she isn’t built like those chicks on TV. But she says even if you got to lie just appreciate me for what I am and who I am even though your ass ain’t gonna do the shit anyway. Her grandmother at the end gives some OG Game.

 

“Broken Clocks”

This is SZA taking CTRL. She is tired of the bullshit. She’s dealt with losers, guys who never appreciated her. Guys who didn’t do nothing but bring minimal to the table. The broken clocks represent the time that she does not have for the shenanigans. She still cares about these individuals but she wants more. She’s focused on her, making money and if you are down she’ll consider you. This another song that had a 90’s vibe.

 

“Anything”

She seems like she is on a journey to find what she is looking for in life. She tries to fit herself in some type of existence as she chants “Do You Even Know I’m Alive”. Reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s “He Doesn’t Even Know I’m Alive”. I’m guessing that was the angle.

 

“Wavy (Interlude)” (featuring James Fauntleroy)

This is a dope ass interlude dog. Seems like the continuation of “Anything” it seems like she met someone new and is looking to embark on a new journey into a new situation.

 

“Normal Girl”

Seems like this is about a girl who is average and trying to stand out and do things different to appease her new man. So she tries new things in the bedroom. She proclaims that she’s is too different to be normal however. I like her channeling “Drake- Controlla” nice. She’s trying to be a girl only her father would approve of. And good enough to meet her man’s mother.

 

“Pretty Little Birds” (featuring Isaiah Rashad)

This reminds me of “Jhene Aiko- Pretty Bird” a little bit. She seems like there is a man trying to get to her and she is looking to accept his advances. This definitely also reminds me of something Kelis would sing back in the day. Very Pharrell-ish. Isaiah Rashad talks about seducing someone and planning to keep her around. It’s all about flying and getting over fear of flying to take risks.

 

“20 Something”

The closer is about a man leaving her for greener pastures. She seems insecure about being single and nervous about love in her 20’s. Or stuck in that mentality. I believe she said something about this on the Breakfast Club. I believe she is trying to keep the 20’s alive so that she can continue to live her life with the same friends. Hanging on to the youth. Her mother at the end speaks and gives a nice conclusion on CTRL.

 

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED! I sure was Solana brought it on the world for the first real studio album. Her 3 mixtapes are solidified as classic works so to speak. SZA has a voice that will hypnotize you and make you believe any word that she is saying even if it is not true. However CTRL is an album as I said that is about insecurities, being good enough, heartbreak, redemption, lust, and love. All aspects of life are in the fold although one good song one happy song would have been nice but the album is sequenced to perfection. So I give SZA a gold star for this fine piece of work! You go girl!