Why SZA's "Ctrl" is One of a Kind

Solána Imani Rowe, a beautiful soul that often goes by the stage name of SZA. She is the only female artist signed to Top Dawg Entertainment Records, the label that blessed us with other talented artist such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Isaiah Rashad. So it might come as no surprise that she is marvelous and refreshing af. The "Love Galore" singer has been gaining recognition in the music world due to positive reception of her debut album Ctrl which dropped on June 9th. But if you know me, you know I have been a dedicated fan since her 2013 single "Teen Spirit" (which I highly recommend you listen to if you haven't). Nevertheless, seeing her pop up on my TL on Instagram or seeing videos of fellow brown girls lip syncing "The Weekend" or "Supermodel" on Snapchat gives me the excitement of when i first discovered her.
She is has certainly grown and is on her way up in the music industry. What I believe makes her stand out is not only her soulful and eccentric voice but also her bold lyricism and unique image. See, nowadays in the female R&B and soul scene women's claim to fame is not only by their music but also if they can sell a certain image. That image is either a sex symbol or a more urban version of "the girl next door." That's cool and all but along with selling this image their flaws and vulnerabilities seem to be airbrushed making them seem near perfect. No hate to those artist, I mean we love them because we want to be like them. However, with SZA we love her because we are like her. While sex appeal and beauty is something she can definitely sell, she reveals things to us that are relatable which causes her to stand out.
SZA is on a lane of her own because she is putting all her vulnerabilities on front street and admitting she's not perfect but she still pretty sensational. All throughout Ctrl she discusses topics like relationships, feminine taboos, and insecurities.

In the opening track "Supermodel" she addresses her ex lover while revealing secrets and her deep rooted wounds. Her ex leaving her for "prettier women" cuts deep because she already was self conscious, which is why she requires so much attention. Then she goes on and asks herself why she can't be content with being alone. Since she is not comfortable with herself she feels like she needs this man.  
"Leave me lonely for prettier women
You know I need too much attention for shit like that
You know you wrong for shit like that
I could be your supermodel if you believe
If you see it in me, see it in me, see it in me
I don't see myself
Why I can't stay alone just by myself?
Wish I was comfortable just with myself
But I need you, but I need you, but I need you"

SZA also called out all the mischievous men in her life in songs like "Love Galore" and "The Weekend". Asking them why they pursue her when they know they have someone else. Although these songs have a similar message, they have contrasting tones. In "Love Galore" SZA's no time for bs attitude is more apparent. 
"Done with these niggas
I don't love these niggas
I dust off these niggas"

"Don't take it personal
Personally, I'm surprised you
Called me after the things I said
Skrrt, skrrt on niggas"

In the song she is calling him out for his mess and is unapologetic with it. The singer personally decoded the lyrics of this with Genius and gave us the real tea about the song which is the following: "Like, it’s more so like, ‘Why play yourself? You want me, you enjoy it, I want you, we have a good time, and you’re still not here for some strange reason."

On the track "The Weekend" while she is still questioning why this person is approaching her when they already have a companion, she is letting the player run his game so she can get what she wants. Despite it being wrong, she gives in because she is desperate for love. 

"You say you got a girl
Know you want me
How you want me when you got a girl?
The feelin' is wreckless
Of knowin' you're selfish
Knowin' I'm desperate"

She has higher moments in the album on songs like "Doves in the Wind" and "Go Gina". She turns the focus on how she can benefit the man rather than how the man can benefit her. On "Doves in the Wind" she is saying how she can give him "the whole box of chocolates" rather than just her body. That is, she can give you something to build with (sounds like wifey material if you ask me).

"Real niggas do not deserve pussy
Meaning it's more, you see right through walls
Ain't talkin' about pussy
Meaning you deserve the whole box of chocolates"

On "Go Gina" SZA expresses how she is giving a man more than she can handle. On this track we also see the independence and ambition in SZA which is being dimmed down because the man is not pulling his own weight.

"Picking up a penny with a press on is
Easier than holding you down
Can't be any harder than holding you up now"

"Grinding, grinding, grinding
Learning on the low key, shining
Tryin' to keep to myself
But you bring me out of character
Every time again"

If you haven't guessed it already SZA is not the one for meeting societies norms which is expressed on "Drew Barrymore" and of course "Normal Girl". She is in her own lane and far from the average.

"I'm sorry I'm not more attractive
I'm sorry I'm not more ladylike
I'm sorry I don't shave my legs at night"

"Wanna be a type of girl, you take home to your mama
The type of girl, I know your fellas would be proud of
Be proud of, be proud of, be proud of, boy you know
Normal girl"

All in all, just like the rest of us, SZA is just trying to figure out life while also gaining control over it (pun intended) which was expressed on the albums closing song "20 something"

"Hopin' my 20 somethings won't end
Hopin' to keep the rest of my friends
Prayin' the 20 somethings don't kill me, don't kill me"

So with all that being said, I feel like there is a part of SZA in all of us. We are not perfect, we have flaws, we have emotions. On Ctrl SZA sings the words that are sometimes hard to speak. Music like this is hard to come by which is why this album is truly one of a kind.