Music Review: SZA, “Z”

SZA’s music to me is a breath of fresh air, and with her third album release ‘Z’…fresh air just got fresher.

This third album of hers is the first to be released under the Top Dawg Entertainment label, which houses other artists such as Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q. Before that, she self-released two free EP’s (‘See.SZA.Run’ and ‘S’). With the release of ‘Z’, the album debuted in the UK and charted #32 on the R&B Charts and #39 in the US Billboard 200 selling 6,980 copies in its opening week. The album also hit #9 on the US Hip-Hop/R&B chart.

“Clarity is a state of mind, freedom ain’t real. Who sold you that lie?” opens up the album with her first track “U R”. Mellow and smooth, I could sit and sip whiskey to this and be happy as a clam. A neo-soul vibe dominates the album and compliments her vocals tastefully. Some songs get jazzy (Sweet November), electro (Hiiijack); and even make you want to dance a bit (Julia). But never once did I hear a song and think ‘this reminds me of (insert other artist here).

‘Child’s Play’, featuring Chance the Rapper; will make you reminisce to those simpler times all 90’s children had singing about Street Fighter, Nintendo and ripping the heads off of Barbie Dolls (I unfortunately was not cool enough to have that view on Barbie’s then). Kendrick Lamar and Isaiah Rashad also feature on the album. “Warm Winds” which is probably one of my favorites has a hook of:

“Quit Clipping on your feet, quit clipping on your wings. Sometimes we hate to leave somebody, whats happening to we? Warm winds on a space ride, when I call your phone on a late night. I recall your soul and it tastes like: gardens, flowers… warm winds.”

Pure poetry.

Give her a listen, and I promise you’ll feel the originality. Her voice, raspy and soulful; almost takes you back …or under. She is after all, part of an indie label; and that’s where I think you find the true gems. I can see her singing in a black and white setting inside a little piano bar as equally as I can see her at a venue in any downtown city. Having only been 3 years since her first EP release, I’m looking forward to see what the next years will bring her.

And did I mention she’s a singer-songwriter? And only 23?
Be it may, I am a sucker for any artist who can sing and write their own. I feel like it gives me more to connect to. It’s not just sound, it’s their soul. So in that sense, this review could be a bit biased…but I’m not trying to sell anything or get you to see it the way I do.

Just listen and her music will speak for itself.

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Tal is a Makeup Artist and Skin Therapist who enjoys the pleasures of sunflowers and tea. She likes to consider the world her home and is always trying to read too many books at the same time. Twitter
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Sources:
HipHopDx
Official Charts
Complex