By Jaylynn Donaldson ’25
When I heard SZA for the first time when I was nine, we were driving in the car and I heard a melody that caught my attention. It was the intro to SZA’s song “The Weekend” from her album Ctrl. At nine, I didn’t understand the chokehold this album would have on me later on, but now I am 16 with a serious attachment to it. I am, without a doubt, under its control.
SZA released her major-label debut album Ctrl in 2017. Ctrl is a neo-soul, alternative album featuring artists Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad. Ctrl is a generational album that tells the story of the feelings and experiences of many young women. Throughout the 14 tracks on this album, SZA reflects on her love life, heartbreak, low self-esteem, and insecurities, making this album relatable and timeless. SZA properly expresses what it’s like to navigate the world as a young woman who is finding herself, which is why I love this album so much.
Listening to SZA is like having a venting session with your friends. Many of her fans, including myself, resonate with her because she sings her lyrics with passion, anger, and self-reflection, making our listening experience comforting and therapeutic. Some of my favorite tracks on this album that I love and deeply resonate with include “Prom,” “Drew Barrymore,” and “Normal Girl.”
“Prom” is for the girls who are scared to grow up. As a 16-year-old girl, I constantly feel like time is running out, which is why I resonate with “Prom” so much. In “Prom” SZA expresses her anxiety about growing up. She feels that she is not able to mature as quickly as her peers. She titles the song “Prom” because it’s one of the last moments of high school, signaling the beginning of adulthood and maturity. While SZA has anxiety surrounding growing up, she also comes to the realization that she doesn’t need to have everything figured out all at once and that her path through life will pave itself. Throughout this song, SZA speaks about the emotions, changes, overthinking, self-reflection, and the constant need for validation as you get older. This song was one of my favorites. This song has a chill and laid-back vibe. The tempo is slow and the music has a dreamy and earthy feel to it. Her vocals are very isolated, soothing, and smooth. Its the kind of song that you could just vibe too and get lost in.
In “Drew Barrymore,” SZA relates to the girls who struggle with insecurities and the wish for male validation. She tells the story of the time she went to a party for a boy and he brought another girl. This love interest had ruined her self-esteem because he constantly had eyes for other girls who were nothing like her. This made her question if she was good enough and made her lose her self-worth. SZA compared herself to other girls who fit the “beauty standard,” which is something that many women, especially teenage girls, can relate to. “Drew Barrymore” is a catchy and soulful song. The tempo is not too slow and not too fast. The song has a smooth and relaxed vibe to it. SZA’s vocals in this song are captivating and the lyrics are honest and relatable. It’s a kind of song you can’t help but sing along to and feel the emotions.
“Normal Girl” is a song that speaks to many women, especially black women, who have felt unwanted because they didn’t fit the beauty standards. Throughout the song, SZA repeats, “I wish I was a normal girl,” questioning her beauty and self-worth. She believes that if she was a “normal” girl, she could have a good relationship and genuine love. This song speaks about the pressure to conform to society’s expectations, but SZA encourages the listeners to embrace their uniqueness and self-acceptance. Like “Drew Barrymore,” “Normal Girl” has a really cool soulful and melodic feel to it. Its very laid back and chill. SZA’s vocals are very powerful and emotive throughout the song. Ctrl by SZA can be found on any streaming platform. I believe that everyone, especially young women, should listen to this album at least once because it’s an album that speaks the truth. Ctrl is a comforting album that will never leave me. As I grow and get older, Ctrl will be an album that I always run back to and have an even better appreciation and understanding for.
The Raider Press 