S.O.S.
by SZA
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 9, 2022
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 347 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 297 out of 347
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 347
  3. Negative: 29 out of 347
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  1. jaylinkin
    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 her diversity of how she can rap and sing is just amazing. It was definitely worth the 5 year wait.
  2. tehe
    Dec 11, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this album so much and the hype was totally worth it. There is only one song in my opinion which is a skip that is seek and destroy but its not a bad track just not my taste. Somgs like low, nobody gets me, too late, and ghost in the machine with phoebe bridgers are wonderful tracks with I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't streamed the album yet… Expand
  3. ILUVMUSICCC
    Dec 12, 2022
    10
    AMAZINGG, love everything from the openeing track to the ending. Weak spots like F2F but overall it is great
  4. jeffer21
    Dec 9, 2022
    8
    SZA returned even more versatile, vulnerable, aggressive, majestic, experimental and stripped down in this new work, although R&B is her central style, she walks through different sounds in S.O.S
  5. selsmanic
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    it's not topping ctrl for me but this is a GREAT album with just 1 filler track out of 23. it's insane SZA it's at her prime after 5 years no hype lost and quality perfect as always!
  6. Dylantm
    Dec 9, 2022
    9
    Truly an amazing album SZA outdid herself one again i give 10s when 10s are due
  7. submnibiriyae
    Dec 9, 2022
    9
    She ate here
    Favs: gone girl, kill bill, ghost in the machine, blind and Forgiveless
    Least favs: conceited and notice me
  8. kaiovs
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The sound, the sadness and the disappointments only transformed into music, SZA managed once again that it is not an artist of a single genre... SOS IS PERFECT, ALBUM OF THE YEAR YES!!!… Expand
  9. malllekyuh
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    tHiS ALBUM IS AMAZINNGGGGGGG SZAA YOURE A GENIUSSSSSS!!!!!
    sza (Solána Imani Rowe) you’re talented, brilliant,amazing,SHOWSTOPPING,never the same, totally unique.
    you’re an icon
    you’re a legend AND you’re the moment
    NOW COME ON NOW
  10. nathanv
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    10/10 album! SZA served vocals, made 23 unique and different songs and showed versatility. She solidified her spot as one of the best rnb artists there are!
  11. DreluvsSza
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    SZA did her BIGGEST one, I love her so much. She’s filled w talent and I just know she’s bout to end so many careers
  12. used
    Dec 9, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. SOS was a highly anticipated project that did not disappoint. You could tell SZA really let her creative juices flow on this album with songs like “F2F” and “Smoking on my Ex Pack”. In the album, similar to Ctrl, she expresses the same kind of love from a more self-assured perspective. Hearing the versatility on this album was like a breath of fresh air, it makes the album so much fun to listen to and allows others to enjoy SZA even more than before. This is an amazing album to introduce yourself to SZA with because I guarantee there will be something on there you’ll love. I loved seeing songs like “Used” finally get finished into a beautiful song especially when it’s with the talented Don Toliver along with Phoebe Bridgers in “Ghost in the Machine”. The few features on this album is exactly what SZA fans needed so we could finally listen to her alone on her own record instead of her being on other artists’.

    The album is just so great and I’ll be listening to it over and over again to the point where I’ll memorize all the creative lyrics of this album. She definitely surprised me in the best way possible.    … Expand
  13. CarlosssssssssC
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Estoy sin palabras fueron años de espera y ver todo lo que ah crecido es impresionante y estoy sumamente orgulloso de ella, nos entregó letra sentimientos vocals visuales la mejor portada de lo que va del año en un álbum ella es simplemente magnífica te amo con la vida sza atte:solanachile
  14. davidcosta
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    a sza nesse album trás suas emoções através de um bom r&b classico com um toque de trap e rock, a autointitulada é sem dúvidas um dos melhores vocais da sza em toda sua carreira. e os feats, principalmente a com a Phoebe sao impecáveis. Álbum do ano e Best R&B Album 2023.
  15. Kasen
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Wow, not sure what to even say. The seamless shifts from song to song, the content, the messages, everything is perfect. SZA truly embodies so many feelings and dose not hold back at all during all 23 songs. Perfect 10/10. I wouldn't say it is the best of her work, but this beautiful and truly stunning album was worth the 5 year wait.
  16. lucasrossi
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    Sza is just the best!! i love it so much, can’t stop listening to it!! girl, you rock!
  17. giantccwaffle
    Dec 9, 2022
    5
    With a lack of originality and direction, SZA’s project is a bore to any ear that values depth and personality. An obnoxiously long tracklist enhances the fact that every song has very similiar lyrics and sound. However, SZA’s level of talent is undeniably incredible, I just wish she could put it to better use by communicating her ideas without using the same repetitive themes andWith a lack of originality and direction, SZA’s project is a bore to any ear that values depth and personality. An obnoxiously long tracklist enhances the fact that every song has very similiar lyrics and sound. However, SZA’s level of talent is undeniably incredible, I just wish she could put it to better use by communicating her ideas without using the same repetitive themes and profanity. However, SZA does a lot right with standout tracks like “Open Arms” with Travis Scott, “Kill Bill,” “Open Arms,” and F2F. These tracks exemplify emotional outreach to the listener, without sounding overdone.

    Production is sub-par, with nothing to write home about.    … Expand
  18. erolsabadosh
    Dec 9, 2022
    5
    Nice production overall but the lyrics are sometimes very repetitive and unimaginative which makes it difficult to get through the whole album because there are a whopping 23 tracks. Take for instance F2F, a pop punk track in the middle that just crops up out of nowhere, with SZA doing a terrible Avril Lavigne impression and the refrain "I f*ck him 'cause I miss you' or the equallyNice production overall but the lyrics are sometimes very repetitive and unimaginative which makes it difficult to get through the whole album because there are a whopping 23 tracks. Take for instance F2F, a pop punk track in the middle that just crops up out of nowhere, with SZA doing a terrible Avril Lavigne impression and the refrain "I f*ck him 'cause I miss you' or the equally uninspired Notice Me where she repeats 'I don't want to be your girl I just want to be your person' over and over. She sounds her best on tracks like Far; a sparse beat with some pleasant guitar and synths that her airy voice floats atop beautifully or the epic Gone Girl. This probably could have been edited down to a great 10-12 track album, but as it is it's definitely bloated and very inconsistent.… Expand
  19. matthewmirliani
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    How do you follow one of the greatest debut albums of all time? With a sweeping masterpiece that spans every genre imaginable. Her range is impeccable. Her songwriting is intimate. The production is excellent. Her vocals are strong. Heartbreaking yet joyful.
  20. VitorMacauba
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    In this masterpiece, SZA explores r&b, hip-hop, melodic rap, trap and even pop/rock, she reinvented herself and kept being sincere and poetic. This album deserves many awards, truly beautiful!
  21. tbuffy
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    A strong return to music to one of the best artist out right now! Favorite Tracks: Blind F2F
    Nobody Gets Me Kill Bill
  22. MicTony
    Dec 29, 2022
    0
    This album is totally bland and predictable. I cannot fathom replaying it again
  23. ethanwhite
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    After a 5 year wait, SZA delivered and exceeded expectations. She gave a range of genres and sound throughout the album while still proving she can write immaculately.
    The best follow up from CTRL.
  24. Priest_Xavier
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I feel like many people went into this album expecting Ctrl Pt. 2, and while I do think the two are comparable in their quality…that’s kinda where the similarities end. SOS seems to showcase herself as 10x more multifaceted than she did on Ctrl. With production and her lyrics she goes from rapper, to alternative, to 2000s rockstar in a matter of three tracks, and it’s this kind of chaotic cohesion that makes the album so enjoyable. This album was really worth the 5 year wait.… Expand
  25. ronaldosiq
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    I'm in love with SZA, and she delivered so much without promising. This new album is incredibly passionate. My favorite is nobody gets me ❤️‍
  26. Marcoboy
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    it is so good, the range of genre she used, from rap, r&b, hip-hop to alternative, country, ballad and punk rock is shockingly not all over the place. this is her best album
  27. Stomash
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    this album is shock...we've been waiting for it for 5 years and it's incredible work, we love you sza!!!
  28. JoelG
    Dec 10, 2022
    7
    My feeling about this album are mixed as the album is split into 2 different parts.
    On the first half (Track 1-11) the production is fine but it gets very dull after a few songs which makes you to want to skip most of it, the only tracks I'd listen to again from that part are probably SOS and Kill Bill. The songwriting is decent on some songs and very tedious on others (Used, Snooze,    My feeling about this album are mixed as the album is split into 2 different parts.
    On the first half (Track 1-11) the production is fine but it gets very dull after a few songs which makes you to want to skip most of it, the only tracks I'd listen to again from that part are probably SOS and Kill Bill. The songwriting is decent on some songs and very tedious on others (Used, Snooze, Notice Me). None of the songs are necessarily bad, but it gets very predictable after a few tracks.

    The second part (Track 11-23) of the album , is far more interesting, energized, fun, and creative.
    The production is just great, the range is far wider and creativity is thriving. The songwriting is way better, and the overall atmosphere is better. SZA vocals are really highlighted here and it feels like she just gave more nuance and effort into that part of the album.

    Favorite Tracks, respectively: Nobody Gets Me, Ghost In The Machine (ft. Phoebe Bridgers) , Open Arms, Kill Bill    … Expand
  29. Williejhon4
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Better than ctrl
  30. matheusnake
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Como todos os seus trabalhos, simplesmente impecável! Me colocou pra chorar em posição fetal como uma criança sem chupeta.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2022
11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. HipHopDX
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Dec 16, 2022
    88
    It may take a few years for SOS to ascend to the heights, but if 808s & Heartbreak was the breakup record of the 2000s and Blonde was the 2010s examination of loss and trauma, then SZA might have produced that emotional breaking point for the 2020s.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    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
    Read full review
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