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Z [EP] Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

  • Summary: The third EP for the New Jersey singer-songwriter features guest appearances from Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and Isaiah Rashad.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Apr 22, 2014
    80
    Z is a mood piece, 10 homogenous tracks that breeze by and flow on a winning combination of sweet vocals, sweeter hooks, and the sweetest of melodies and instrumentals.
  2. Apr 22, 2014
    80
    Z is a quality beginning for a beguiling new artist with a fresh futurist sound.
  3. Apr 22, 2014
    75
    Tthe album's reach is as powerful as its depth.
  4. Apr 22, 2014
    67
    What ultimately makes it stick, from the beaming hooks to the gossamer production, is the execution, how all the scattered pieces eventually jell until the puzzle is complete.
  5. Apr 22, 2014
    65
    Z is promising but it seems that SZA's identity isn't truly clear as there are too many different styles competing to be heard.
  6. Apr 29, 2014
    60
    Rowe seems even more like an instrument rather than a lead voice, but it's all comforting, if not revealing, made more for background or late-night listening than complete emotional immersion.
  7. Jul 30, 2014
    50
    Apart from a few highlights, SZA’s latest work suffers from uninspired production, forgettable songwriting, and unfitting tacked on features.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Mar 27, 2019
    10
    Z by SZA is an amazing EP. Every track is fantastic from start to finish. I love SZA performance on this EP and the features are on fire.Z by SZA is an amazing EP. Every track is fantastic from start to finish. I love SZA performance on this EP and the features are on fire. Don't sleep on this EP. 10/10 Expand
  2. Mar 18, 2018
    10
    SZA traz um ótimo EP para nós,com boas músicas e todo o sentimento da cantora.Obrigado SZA.
  3. Dec 20, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was extremely good but not as good as her latest albums. She really slayed with this one Expand
  4. Aug 3, 2023
    10
    A true work of art, Sza served a lot on this EP! The best EP of his career.
  5. Jun 30, 2014
    6
    An above average start to an abstract, sweet, delicate side of R&B and soul music. SZA has no problem letting you know which feelings she'sAn above average start to an abstract, sweet, delicate side of R&B and soul music. SZA has no problem letting you know which feelings she's singing about, but I think she needs a little work on how she's expressing them through her singing. Also, the production needs to help here a little more, not saying the production is not class enough, but sometimes I feel that it either overshadows here, o leaves her all alone, walking on a thin line. The featurings on this album leave me wanting more, specially the Isaiah Rashad and Chance The Rapper ones, which leads me to think, SZA needs to work on making her solo stuff much more powerful and consistent. At the end of the day, I'm looking forward to her next project, wishing no more than improvement and endurance. Expand
  6. Jul 6, 2018
    6
    Pretty bland in sense of song tones, but SZA does show her amazing voice and potential on this EP.