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S.O.S. Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 389 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length studio release for R&B artist SZA features guest appearances from Phoebe Bridgers, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. 100
    It’s an expansion of her wonderfully experimental R&B, with all the candour listeners expect from this masterful songwriter. ... SOS is well worth the wait.
  2. Dec 9, 2022
    100
    The drought may be over, but SZA left no crumbs.
  3. Dec 15, 2022
    90
    Hour-plus length and stylistic variety likewise signal that SOS could be the overreaching kind of highly anticipated follow-up. Still, it's an advancement from Ctrl in every respect apart from cohesion
  4. Dec 12, 2022
    80
    SOS’s playful approach to genre-swapping carries a defined sense of artistic freedom across its varied tracklist. Not every experiment is a success—the wispy alternative elements of “Ghost in the Machine,” chiefly its indietronica instrumentation and unnecessary Pheobe Bridgers guest spot, never really cohere—but the album doesn’t linger on any one specific style or mood for too long.
  5. Dec 19, 2022
    80
    The peaks on SOS, (“Used,” “Smoking on my Ex Pack,” and “Forgiveless”) find SZA sounding refreshingly comfortable rapping over gritty, hazy, and grimy productions.
  6. Dec 15, 2022
    80
    SOS is twenty-three tracks long and sonically it sprawls all over the hood. From low to high, clipped to soaring, SZA’s vocals are icily superb and her overwrought writing is vivid throughout. These progressive, ambitious melodies act like stitching to hold together the patchwork of an exceptionally diverse approach to genre and production.
  7. Dec 12, 2022
    60
    It treads a fine line between swashbuckling versatility and a lack of cohesion. Versatility largely wins out.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 18 out of 169
  1. Dec 9, 2022
    10
    this álbum is the purest art of R&B, sza manages to expose all the feeling that abandoned people feel, without a doubt a strong contender Forthis álbum is the purest art of R&B, sza manages to expose all the feeling that abandoned people feel, without a doubt a strong contender For AOTY at the Grammy.SZA is the Queen of R&B! Expand
  2. Dec 9, 2022
    10
    This album is beautifully written and produced. Also there lies a message behind these songs that most of everyone can relate to, also herThis album is beautifully written and produced. Also there lies a message behind these songs that most of everyone can relate to, also her diversity of how she can rap and sing is just amazing. It was definitely worth the 5 year wait. Expand
  3. Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Album of the year possibly album of the decade!!! Sza is pure talent I would rate this 100/10 if I could.
  4. Dec 9, 2022
    10
    SZA doesn’t make music, she makes art. This album truly blew me away and was absolutely worth the wait.
  5. Dec 9, 2022
    10
    spectacular, attractive and innovative. Those are three words with which I would describe this album that should be nominated for the 2024spectacular, attractive and innovative. Those are three words with which I would describe this album that should be nominated for the 2024 Grammys anyway. Exceeding my expectations from Ctrl, sza manages to captivate me once again Expand
  6. Dec 9, 2022
    9
    a sza foi gigante quando chamou esses cantores para participar do projeto selecionando aqueles que realmente encaixavam, a escrita muito boaa sza foi gigante quando chamou esses cantores para participar do projeto selecionando aqueles que realmente encaixavam, a escrita muito boa com letras profundas e sinceras, achei a produção boa mas esperava algo mais inovador por conta do o álbum anterior ctrl mas essa foi uma expectativa pessoal minha, o álbum é bom e ponto. Expand
  7. Jan 17, 2023
    0
    I'm just not sure why the critics love this album so much. It's far too long, and SZA doesn't bother to enunciate most of the time. It's justI'm just not sure why the critics love this album so much. It's far too long, and SZA doesn't bother to enunciate most of the time. It's just painful to listen to. Expand

See all 169 User Reviews

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