Ctrl (pronounced as the word “control”) by SZA is another of the most critically acclaimed albums in the alternative/modern R&B space. It has been a recurring baseline for albums and projects in the R&B space following its release in early June 2017.
The project was led by five distinct singles released before the official album. “Drew Barrymore,” “Love Galore,” and “The Weekend,” among others, were released before the full album, serving as teasers for its overall sound and feel.
My interpretation of the album itself is an overall opposite of what its title suggests, with themes revolving around SZA’s lack of control of her emotions, relationships and her perception of how others see her and her personal image. The title of the album seems to be what SZA lacks, or thinks she lacks, throughout the album: control.
The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart in its first week, cementing its place as one of the most critically acclaimed albums in its genre and for its time, as 2016-18 are considered some of the “golden years” of the modern R&B space. Ctrl also ranked No. 2 on Billboard’s “50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics’ Picks.”
SZA is the lead singer on almost all of the songs, with features from different artists in the rap/R&B space, as well as producers contributing to the album’s production. Some of the more recognized names in production include Tyler, the Creator (Tyler Okonma) and the Antydote (aka Scum).
In my opinion, I believe Ctrl is the second must-listen album in the alt/modern R&B genre, behind Frank Ocean’s “Blond,” which holds my number one spot. The album “Ctrl” is easily repeatable in terms of playback; I could listen to it for hours without getting bored or tired of its unique sound. 8.9/10.
