Rocio Mateos
It’s finally here! We thought this day would never come, but it did. SZA’s debut album, ‘CTRL’ was released on Friday, June 9, and it’s as amazing as we expected – and even more.
Originally set for release back in February, the album saw its release day pushed back several times. She even said she was quitting music because of the problems surrounding the release of the new record. Back in October, she addressed a tweet to TDE’s co-president Terrence “Punch” Henderson, writing “I actually quit. @iamstillpunch can release my album if he ever feels like it. Y’all be blessed.”
Later, in an interview with Complex, SZA – real name Solána Imani Rowe. – Said that she was “really frustrated, and I’m kind of over it,” referring to making music, and shared her wishes to do something more visual, like film. But worry not, because she’s still in the game, and her new 14-track album is the bomb. Featuring A-listers like Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad and James Fauntleroy.
The 26-year-old singer had been teasing the album since December. Dropping the album’s lead single “Drew Barrymore,” followed by “Love Galore” featuring Travis, and “Broken Clocks.”
Moments before officially releasing the album, TDE posted on its Soundcloud “Doves In The Wind,” which features beloved K-Dot. The two had previously collaborated on the song “Babylon,” from SZA’s debut EP ‘Z.’
It is SZA’s first release in three years
Last time the alternative R&B singer released studio work was in 2014. Apart from Kung Fu Kenny, the ‘Z’ EP featured Chance The Rapper and Isaiah Rashad. The EP was critically acclaimed, just like her previous releases – which were actually mixtapes –, ‘See. SZA. Run’ in 2012, and ‘S’ in 2013.
On the following years, she collaborated with a wide range of artists, such as ScHoolboy Q, A$AP Ferg, D.R.A.M., Rihanna, and earlier this year, in Kingdom’s new album ‘Tears In The Club.’
These releases gained SZA fans and followers that had been looking forward to the singer to take the big shot and record a full LP.
Days before dropping ‘CTRL,’ SZA spoke to Complex about the creation process behind the album and explained the meaning behind its title. “It’s about analog and being at a time where we were brought information more slowly,” she said, adding, “Control is a concept, you think about getting away from analog, control is an illusion, you try and force it.”
The album is available on iTunes and Apple Music. You may as well stream it below via Spotify.
