CTRL
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CTRL Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

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8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 565 Ratings

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  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the New Jersey alternative R&B artist features guest appearances from James Fauntleroy, Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad, and Travis Scott.
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Top Track

Love Galore
I need, I need I need, I need I need, I need I need, I need I need, I need Love, love, love, love 'long as we got Love, love, love 'long as we... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jun 16, 2017
    91
    Ctrl is as tough as Damn is tender, and it knocks as hard as The Sun’s Tirade swoons.
  2. Exclaim
    Jun 13, 2017
    90
    SZA is the full package in terms of artistry: killer singing and songwriting abilities with a distinct perspective on life, love and destiny. CTRL is craft in action, a uniquely excellent album from a uniquely excellent artist.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 14, 2017
    90
    In Ctrl, SZA draws on her personal experience and explores women’s sexuality in a direct and honest way which was so far mostly reserved to male R&B and pop artists.
  4. Clash Music
    Jun 28, 2017
    80
    Featuring savage and often heartfelt, diary-like ruminations, CTRL pushes against the borders of convention lyrically and sonically, placing it on the upper echelons of potential ‘Best Of ’17’ lists.
  5. No Ripcord
    Jul 19, 2017
    80
    Ctrl is a languid, cavernously soulful debut that is never anything but assured--a collection of delicious jams that are equal parts fragile, cozy and piercing.
  6. AllMusic
    Jul 19, 2017
    80
    Placed beside only Z, its three-year-old prelude, Ctrl is the work of a considerably less-inhibited songwriter. Rowe likewise truly fronts these frank songs that wield power as they lament lonesomeness, insecurity, and inertia.
  7. Paste Magazine
    Jun 13, 2017
    78
    What’s remarkable about it is that she has spun her personal experiences into a soulful, touching R&B record with broad appeal beyond her particular demographic.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 77
  3. Negative: 1 out of 77
  1. alexc4761
    Jul 6, 2018
    10
    An amazing variety of songs in this album. SZA shows how unique she can be, and songs are almost always catchy. There are great beats andAn amazing variety of songs in this album. SZA shows how unique she can be, and songs are almost always catchy. There are great beats and hooks in this album such as "Broken Clocks" and "The Weekend". SZA really shows off her incredible voice and emotion with her lyrics.… Expand
  2. xxsuckercandy
    Jun 13, 2017
    10
    Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before,Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.… Expand
  4. stream134340
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    sza is a great singer and songwriter and with this album you can see that she’s an amazing and talented woman she is, this album is sosza is a great singer and songwriter and with this album you can see that she’s an amazing and talented woman she is, this album is so cohesive but in a good way and every song stands out on her own every lyric of every song is personal and sexual and that’s what makes this album unique. sza is the future of r&b… Expand
  5. juanselopez340
    May 14, 2023
    10
    It was only enough for him to make an R&B gem with his debut, this is reality taken from another planet with plans to take it to the planet;It was only enough for him to make an R&B gem with his debut, this is reality taken from another planet with plans to take it to the planet; this album should be considered an anthropological bible att: Me.… Expand
  6. Boidummyticxi
    Oct 14, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favorite rnb album of the decade for me!!! This album has absolutely no skips and I can play it for hoursssss and hours!!!!!… Expand
  7. teesnjeans
    May 12, 2018
    9
    SZA has made an album about millenial anxieties, troubles, hopes, and aspirations. Her music has balanced the nostalgic and the contemporarySZA has made an album about millenial anxieties, troubles, hopes, and aspirations. Her music has balanced the nostalgic and the contemporary sound of today that is both listenable, full of energy, and timeless.… Expand
  8. barrk
    Jun 23, 2017
    0
    SZA releases yet another mediocre album that will get ridden to death by TDE stans who for some reason can't be assed to post in the Kenny sxnSZA releases yet another mediocre album that will get ridden to death by TDE stans who for some reason can't be assed to post in the Kenny sxn of KTT, instead spamming Music with their trash opinions. If she was signed to another label, like young money, she would be bashed for being the uninspired and bland artist she is. Instead, because she's signed to the trendy "indie" label with Kendrick Lamar we pretend she's something special. :jordanlaff:… Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Album of 2017
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2017

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