SZA’s new album ‘SOS’ 7 reasons why it was worth the wait

 SZA’s new album ‘SOS’

7 reasons why it was worth the wait 

SZA's debut album, "Ctrl," which swiftly elevated her to the status of R&B's It girl, came out five long years ago. The wait is finally over for her sophomore album with "SOS," which dropped Friday — fresh off of the singer's "Saturday Night Live" appearance last weekend. Since then, she's had hit collaborations with Kendrick Lamar (2018's "Black Panther" single "All the Stars") and Doja Cat (2020's Grammy-winning "Kiss Me More") and Doja Cat.

One of the most anticipated albums of the year has the following seven highlights.

Kill Bill

While referencing the 2003 Quentin Tarantino bloodbath, SZA sings on her midtempo hit, "I might kill my ex/I still love him," capturing the mixed sentiments we all have about that bad boy we just can't seem to get rid of.

“Blind”

SZA sings on her breakup song, a vision of acoustic-guitar-laced beauty, "I ain't no Julia Stiles/This ain't no last dance/Way past it," making yet another movie allusion, this time to 2001's "Save the Last Dance."

 "Gone Girl"

Is SZA aiming for a career in film? Because she refers directly to a movie for the third time on "SOS," this time referencing the 2014 Ben Affleck drama. She turns the tables on the guys by singing about needing her space and saying, "Squeezing too tight, boy, you losing me." over a melancholy beat.

"Ghost in the Machine,

"Many parts of "SOS" have a menacing mood, but nowhere more so than on the eerie electro-soul of this vibe-out with rising alt-rock star Phoebe Bridgers.

“Nobody Gets Me”

Veering from funky to folky, SZA has a Taylor Swift moment on an acoustic guitar ballad that showcases the stripped-down sweetness of her voice. With no place to hide at her most vulnerable, you really get her.