Open Arms (SZA song)

Last updated

"Open Arms"
Song by SZA featuring Travis Scott
from the album SOS
Written2021–2022
Released
  • December 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
Recorded2021–2022
Length
  • 3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Michael Uzowuru
  • Teo Halm
  • Rob Bisel
Lyric video
"Open Arms" on YouTube

"Open Arms" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022), featuring American rapper Travis Scott. It is a ballad backed by an acoustic guitar, conceived as part of an effort to explore soundscapes outside of SZA's usual R&B-leaning music. The lyrics are addressed to a former lover, whom the narrator leaves for the sake of her self-esteem despite her persistent feelings of attachment to him. A tribute to SZA's deceased grandmother, Norma Rowe, begins the song, done in the form of a skit; Rowe's vocals featured prominently on SZA's debut album, Ctrl (2017)

Contents

Upon release, "Open Arms" charted in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with a number 67 peak on the Billboard Global 200. Critics focused on Scott's appearance on the song—some considered him a fitting addition, welcoming his uncharacteristically gentle tone on the third verse. "Open Arms" marks his fourth collaboration with SZA; a solo version appears on the website-exclusive digital edition of SOS, released in January 2023. The following month, SZA began the SOS Tour, and she regularly included "Open Arms" on the concerts' set lists.

Background

SZA released her debut studio album, Ctrl , in 2017. Primarily an R&B album that deals with themes like heartbreak, it received widespread acclaim for SZA's vocals and the eclectic musical style, as well as the emotional impact and confessional nature of the songwriting. The album brought SZA to mainstream fame, and critics credit it with establishing her status as a major figure in contemporary pop and R&B music and pushing the boundaries of the R&B genre. [note 1] Her next studio album was therefore highly anticipated, [8] [9] and she alluded to its completion as early as August 2019 [10] [11] during an interview with DJ Kerwin Frost. [12]

From April to May 2022, SZA told media outlets that she had recently finished the album in Hawaii and said that it was coming soon. [13] For the album, named SOS (2022), she sought to prove her musical versatility and combine her "traditional" R&B sound that had been a staple of her past works [14] [15] with "a little bit of everything", exploring a diverse set of other genres and soundscapes such as stripped-back, acoustic music [16] [17] that makes use of guitars. [4]

During the build-up to the album's release, SZA compiled a list of possible collaborators and reached out to them through private messages. The roster ranged from Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo; to Doja Cat, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. [18] Of the several artists she contacted for the album, only three people sent their verses: Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Travis Scott. [19] Toliver and Bridgers appear in the tracks "Used" and "Ghost in the Machine" respectively, [20] while Scott appears in "Low" as a background vocalist and "Open Arms" as a featured artist. [21] [22]

SZA and Scott had collaborated three times beforehand. The two worked on Scott's song "Ok Alright" from Rodeo (2015), [23] SZA's single "Love Galore" from Ctrl (2017), [24] and the song "Power Is Power" from the Game of Thrones soundtrack (2019). [25] Of the two Scott collaborations, "Open Arms" was written first; "Low" was the last song on the album to be written. [26]

Music and production

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Open Arms"
Travis Scott's vocals on "Open Arms" are manipulated using Auto-Tune; he uses his lower register and raps in a gentle manner.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The media had the tendency to categorize SZA as an R&B artist. She refused to be restricted to such a label, and she felt the narrative had developed because she was a Black woman. Countering what she believed was racial bias, she said: "I love making Black music, period. Something that is just full of energy. Black music doesn't have to just be R&B [...] Why can't we just be expansive and not reductive?" [27] The album's acoustic, stripped-back sound manifests in tracks such as "Open Arms". [16]

"Open Arms" is among the album's songs that have an acoustic sound, [16] backed by a finger-picked guitar [4] [28] that puts emphasis on SZA's soft vocal performance. [29] In a departure from his usual sharp, energetic trap sound, Scott performs with a gentle rap cadence; [note 2] he uses his lower register, [31] with his vocals digitally manipulated using Auto-Tune. [32] Also appearing on the song is SZA's grandmother, Norma Rowe, in the form of a voice recording. [17] [33] Rowe was SZA's grandmother who died from Alzheimer's disease during recording sessions for SOS, [34] [35] which caused her to go through frequent depressive episodes, [17] and like Scott, Rowe's vocals prominently featured in Ctrl. Nylon wrote that she helped provide "Open Arms" a heartwarming tone to contrast much of the album's other tracks which are "roiling at the brim with anger, sadness, insecurity, and loneliness". [17]

Producer Carter Lang cited time pressure as the driving force behind the creation of many songs on SOS. Work on the album began in 2019, but much of "Open Arms" was written and recorded around the tailend of 2021, with 2022 the year they started being at their most productive. The choice to have Scott depart from the more uptempo, trap sound of "Love Galore" was an idea from fellow SOS producer Rob Bisel, who wanted him to do something unexpected for the album: "it just seems like there's no need to repeat the same play from that playbook, like what's something you wouldn't expect from Travis?" Upon hearing the suggestion, SZA sent Scott the beat and received his verse one or two weeks later, during the final stages of the album recording process. [26]

Apart from Halm and Bisel, who is also the song's mixer and engineer, the list of producers includes Michael Uzowuru. The three, SZA, and Scott are credited as songwriters alongside one Douglas Ford. Engineering took place at Ponzu Studios and Westlake Studio A in Los Angeles, [36] and the mixing and mastering were done a day before the album was turned in. [26] Bisel and Scott's mixer, Derek "206derek" Anderson, mixed "Open Arms" at Ponzu, and Dale Becker mastered it at his studio in Pasadena, California. [36]

Lyrics

SZA CTRL Tour Toronto 2017 3.jpg
Travis Scott - Openair Frauenfeld 2019 17.jpg
SZA (left) collaborated with Travis Scott (right) for "Open Arms".

Many SOS tracks explore the conflict between SZA's desire for a new life on her own and a longing for a fulfilling romantic connection, to the detriment of her self-image. "Open Arms" is one song that features such a conflict, depicting the narrator's continued attachment to a relationship even though it has become unhealthy for her. In the lyrics, she admits she is willing to still be with her ex-boyfriend no matter how much they are actually incompatible and no matter how much it takes a toll on her mental health, to the point where she sings in one line, "Who needs self-esteem, anyway?" [37] [38] She hopes that staying with her ex-boyfriend will sate her desire of finally being appreciated by someone, admitting: "I hate myself to make you stay / Push me away, I'll be right here." According to music journalist Danyel Smith, the line mirrors SZA's personal life in that it recalls her history with rejection from people with whom she wanted to form close friendships. [39]

Scott appears in the third verse [40] as her romantic foil. [20] He calls her his "ride-or-die" [17] [40] and his "favourite color", [4] reassuring her that he will treat her as best as he can "no matter what comes between" them. [41] A solo version of "Open Arms" replaces Scott with SZA's take on the third verse. In it, her character sings about a time she cried for one whole night, forlorn about her past relationships. Instead of feeling alone, she says, she would rather have sex with her ex-boyfriend again, because she believes he still loves her for who she is. [42] Throughout the original version, the two try to welcome each other back into their life, reluctant to leave the relationship. By the end, however, SZA's character realizes that she must, in the words of XXL , "accept isolation with open arms" so that no person will break her heart again. [17] [40]

Release and reception

During a Billboard cover story published in November 2022, SZA revealed the album title, as well as the release date which was scheduled sometime next month. [43] She posted the album's track list on Twitter on December 5, and SOS was released four days later. Out of 23 songs, "Open Arms" appears as the 20th track. [24] [44] Upon its release, the song charted in Canada, the United States, and Australia, with peaks at numbers 51, [45] 54, [46] and 81, [47] respectively. It peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart [48] and number 67 on the Billboard Global 200, [49] and it is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling over 1,000,000 units. [50] "Open Arms" had its live performance debut during the SOS Tour, a North American and European tour in support of the album. [51] [52]

By the tracking week ending January 6, 2023, SOS had spent three weeks atop the Billboard 200 albums chart. There was a possibility that Taylor Swift's Midnights (2022) might overtake the album and gain the number one spot for the next chart issue. [53] On January 5, when tracking was about to end, SZA and Swift released digital versions of their albums that contained bonus material to boost them on the chart. [54] In SZA's case, she released a website-exclusive digital edition of SOS available on Top Dawg Entertainment's website. It consisted of all 23 songs from the standard edition alongside 2 previously unreleased songs—the solo version of "Open Arms" was one of them. [42] [55]

Much of critical commentary around "Open Arms" focused on Scott's guest feature. Some critics considered him a fitting addition on the song, welcoming his uncharacteristically gentle tone on the third verse and praising him and SZA for expanding into a more gentle, acoustic sound. [note 3] As Kitty Empire wrote for The Observer , "Versatility largely wins out [on SOS]. Only SZA could find room for Travis Scott on a slow jam ballad". [56] Variety 's A. D. Amorosi and the Los Angeles Times 's Mikael Wood found the composition of "grand and gorgeous" quality; [31] [38] Amorosi in particular deemed Scott the song's centerpiece. [31] Other praise was directed towards his chemistry with SZA in comparison to "Love Galore" [41] and Rowe's voice as (in tandem with Scott's feature) a "nice nod" to Ctrl. [33] Meanwhile, writing for Time , Andrew Chow and Moises Mendez II thought Scott's contributions were tolerable at best, and Mendez was more impressed with his background vocals for "Low". [20]

Credits

Adapted from the liner notes of SOS [36]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Open Arms"
Chart (2022–2024)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [47] 81
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA) [57] 24
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [45] 51
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [49] 67
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [58] 29
US Billboard Hot 100 [46] 54
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [48] 24

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Open Arms"
Chart (2023)Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [59] 59

Certifications

Certifications for "Open Arms"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [60] Platinum80,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [61] Gold20,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [62] Platinum30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [63] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [64] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SZA</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter. She first gained recognition through her self-released EPs See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), which helped her become the first female artist to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. Her third EP, Z (2014), was her first project to be released to digital retailers and reached the top-ten on the US Independent Albums chart.

<i>Ctrl</i> (SZA album) 2017 studio album by SZA

Ctrl is the debut studio album by American singer SZA. It was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records on June 9, 2017. The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad. Production was handled by Craig Balmoris, Frank Dukes, Carter Lang, Scum, and ThankGod4Cody, among others. The album was supported by five singles: "Drew Barrymore", "Love Galore", "The Weekend", "Broken Clocks", and "Garden ", all of which are certified Platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Galore</span> 2017 single by SZA featuring Travis Scott

"Love Galore" is a song by American singer SZA featuring American rapper Travis Scott. It was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records as the second single from her debut studio album, Ctrl, on April 28, 2017. SZA the artists wrote the song alongside TDE President Punch and producers Scum, Lang, and ThankGod4Cody. "Love Galore" received widespread acclaim from music critics and a Grammy nomination at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. An alternate version of the song was included on the deluxe edition of Ctrl, released on the fifth anniversary of the album's release on June 9, 2022, which features an additional verse from SZA that replaces Scott's verse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SZA discography</span>

American singer-songwriter SZA has released two studio albums, three extended plays (EPs), one live album, and 44 singles. SZA debuted with her self-released EP See.SZA.Run in 2012, followed by the 2013 EP S, gaining the attention of the independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment. She signed to Top Dawg as the label's first woman artist in 2013 and released her third EP, Z, a year later. After Z, she began work on her debut studio album, Ctrl (2017), which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, peaked at number two on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and has charted for more than five subsequent years. The album, alongside its Billboard Hot 100 top-40 singles "Love Galore" and "The Weekend", earned her three of her first five Grammy nominations, in 2018. All singles from Ctrl have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Weekend (SZA song)</span> 2017 single by SZA

"The Weekend" is a song by American singer SZA from her debut studio album, Ctrl (2017). It was written by SZA and its producer ThankGod4Cody. The song samples "Set the Mood (Prelude)" from FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), written by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja, who also received writing credits for "The Weekend". "The Weekend" is an R&B and neo soul record that uses a synth-line, hi-hats, drums, a high-pitched vocal sample and clocking key thumps. SZA sings about knowingly being her partner's mistress, comparing herself to the weekend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shirt (song)</span> 2022 single by SZA

"Shirt" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the third single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). Produced by Darkchild and Freaky Rob, it is an R&B song, with elements of trap music, backed by synthesizers and 808 beats. The lyrics are about a toxic relationship, one that consumes SZA lustfully and entices her to return despite leaving her directionless and mentally exhausted. They narrate themes present throughout SOS: deep introspection to achieve perfection, and the conflict between love and hatred. A snippet of "Shirt", prior to its official release, spawned a viral dance challenge on TikTok, where over a million videos used the sound. After being first previewed online two years ago, the song was released on October 28, 2022.

"Blind" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It is a beatless R&B and folk-pop song, featuring an orchestral production that consists of acoustic guitars, violas, and trumpets. SZA's vocal performance combines a rap cadence and slow falsetto vocals, with added vocal runs. In the song, SZA explores the duality of love and muses on a former relationship, as she expresses her disappointment to a toxic past partner while also expressing her continued attraction to him. For the chorus, SZA admits her insecurities in spite of seeking validation through sex, feeling empty and unable to find self-love within herself as a result of a failed romance. "Blind" also incorporates several pop culture references to figures such as Bob Saget and Jesus.

"PSA" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA reported to appear on the deluxe edition of her 2022 second studio album, SOS. It is an orchestral song with a simple, stringed production, consisting of pianos and harps alongside vocal harmonies. The lyrics are delivered in a rap cadence and with braggadocio; SZA demands that people call her nothing but number-one and serve her, says she takes pleasure in angering people, and mocks those she views as "bottom feeders". "PSA" was used for the official teaser for SOS, yet despite this, the song did not appear on the final track list for the standard edition.

<i>SOS</i> (SZA album) 2022 studio album by SZA

SOS is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records on December 9, 2022. The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. SZA worked with a variety of record producers and songwriters such as Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Rob Bisel, Benny Blanco, Darkchild, DJ Dahi, Ant Clemons, and Lizzo. It serves as the follow-up to SZA's previous album Ctrl (2017).

Cody Jordan "ThankGod4Cody" Fayne is an American producer, songwriter, and musician, most known for his production work on SZA's acclaimed albums Ctrl and SOS, as well as his 2019 debut album Cody of Nazareth.

"Nobody Gets Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the fourth single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It was sent to Italian radio on January 6, 2023, and US contemporary hit radio four days later. The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the Canadian Hot 100, and the Official New Zealand Music Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kill Bill (SZA song)</span> 2023 single by SZA

"Kill Bill" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the fifth single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It is a pop and R&B murder ballad, built around a midtempo, groovy rhythm and a detuned melody. Guitars, a bassline, and a flute that was sampled from a Prophet-6 synthesizer constitute the song's production, which is influenced by the boom bap subgenre of hip hop. Mirroring the plot of the Kill Bill film duology (2003–2004) after which the song is named, the lyrics discuss a fantasy to kill an ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend out of jealousy, and they employ humorous irony alongside violent imagery that contrasts with SZA's soft vocals. "Kill Bill" was sent to US radio on January 10, 2023, after achieving success on streaming services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snooze (song)</span> 2023 single by SZA

"Snooze" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It was sent to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio as the sixth and final single from the album on April 25, 2023. SZA wrote the song with producers Babyface, the Rascals, and BLK. The acoustic version features Canadian singer Justin Bieber, who stars in the official music video of the song's original version, and was released on September 15, 2023.

"Ghost in the Machine" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022), featuring American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. The song is an indie pop and R&B ballad that music critics described as a cross between Bridgers's and SZA's respective sounds. Written in a conversational style, the lyrics express disillusionment with inauthentic relationships, inhumane behavior of other people, and artificial intelligence. They also portray SZA asking her lover to provide an escape from a world that she sees as having been consumed by vanity. The collaboration began with an online conversation between Bridgers and SZA; the two musicians rapidly completed the song a week before the album was scheduled for release. They co-wrote the song with Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Matt Cohn, and Marshall Vore. Production and engineering duties were handled by Bisel, Lang, and Cohn.

"Special" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022).

"Low" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second album, SOS (2022). The song features adlibs from American rapper Travis Scott. It charted in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, with a number 24 peak on the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th ceremony.

"F2F" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). "F2F" is a rock song that draws influence from genres such as country, pop rock, and grunge. SZA wrote the song with Lizzo, who provides background vocals, and producers Rob Bisel and Carter Lang. The song was one of around five rock-inspired songs SZA created for SOS, out of a desire to experiment with various genres outside of her usual R&B music. The song begins with acoustic guitar strums before transitioning into a chorus backed by drums and power chords from electric guitars. The lyrics talk about having sex with someone to cope with breaking up with a former partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOS Tour</span> 2023–2024 concert tour by SZA

The SOS Tour was the second concert tour and first arena tour by American singer-songwriter SZA, in support of her second studio album, SOS (2022). It was announced on December 13 alongside merchandise for the album, four days after the album's release. The international tour took place in North America for the first and third legs, Europe for the second, and Oceania for the fourth, totalling to 63 shows.

"Smoking on My Ex Pack" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). The second of the album's three rap tracks, it is a boom bap song with a chipmunk soul production style, fusing hard-hitting drum beats with a sped-up sample of Webster Lewis's "Open Up Your Eyes" (1981). Before SOS, SZA had been known as an R&B artist who made "sad girl" music, a narrative she wanted to dispel because she viewed it as reductive. Particularly, she believed her being categorized strictly as R&B was racially insensitive. As such, she wanted to experiment with "aggressive" hip hop music for SOS, leading to the conception of "Smoking on My Ex Pack". Its producer was Jay Versace, to whom SZA credited her first attempts at rap music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Bisel</span> American producer, engineer, songwriter and musician

Rob Bisel is an American music producer, engineer, mixer and songwriter. A Grammy award winner and 13-time nominee, he has worked with artists including SZA, Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Harry Styles and Don Toliver.

References

  1. ↑ Curto, Justin (December 9, 2022). "SZA Finally Unleashed Her Inner Rock Star" . Vulture . Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, Ashlee (December 13, 2022). "5 Takeaways from SZA's New Album SOS". The Recording Academy . Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ Taylor, Ims (December 9, 2022). "SZA Hits the Heights on the Dense but Masterful SOS". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Daly, Rhian (December 9, 2022). "SZA – SOS Review: A Comeback Album Well Worth the Wait". NME . Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ McCormick, Neil; Haider, Arwa; Johnston, Kathleen (December 9, 2022). "Sam Ryder Is No One-Hit Wonder, SZA Channels Princess Diana – The Week's Best Albums" . The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  6. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon. "SZA: Ctrl (Deluxe)". The New Yorker . Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ Siregar, Cady (December 9, 2022). "On SOS, SZA Once Again Blows Expectations Out of the Water". Consequence . Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ Lee, Cydney; Lipshutz, Jason; Mamo, Heran; Robinson, Kristin; Unterberger, Andrew (January 4, 2023). "Five Burning Questions: SZA Holds at No. 1 for Third Week with SOS Album". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kornhaber, Spencer (December 14, 2022). "What Gives SZA Her Edge" . The Atlantic . Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  10. ↑ Robinson, Ellie (June 7, 2021). "SZA Reveals She 'Burst Into Tears' During a Rehearsal of '20 Something'". NME . Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ↑ Alston, Trey (January 3, 2020). "SZA Is Dropping a New Album This Year but When Is Beyond Her Ctrl". MTV News . Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ Reese, Alexis (August 20, 2019). "SZA Reveals Sophomore Album Is On the Way". Vibe . Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (April 4, 2022). "SZA Says New Album Is 'Finished' and Describes It as Her 'Most Unisex' Project Yet". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  14. ↑ Phan, Karena (December 9, 2022). "Review: SZA's Perfection Takes Time in Second Album SOS". Associated Press . Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ McNeal, Bria (December 9, 2022). "SZA's SOS Is Unpolished—and Completely Thrilling". Esquire . Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (December 9, 2022). "SZA: SOS Review — Long-Awaited Second Album from R&B Perfectionist" . Financial Times . Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wang, Steffanee (December 10, 2022). "SZA's SOS in 5 Essential Songs". Nylon . Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  18. ↑ Shutler, Ali (December 17, 2022). "SZA's SOS Could Have Featured Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and More". NME . Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  19. ↑ Paul, Larisha (December 7, 2022). "SZA Says New Album S.O.S. Almost Featured More Artist Collaborations — But They Ghosted Her" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 Chow, Andrew R.; Mendez, Moises, II (December 9, 2022). "Was SZA's SOS Worth the Wait? Breaking Down Its Best Songs and Big Themes". Time . Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ Guy, Zoe (December 9, 2022). "SZA Blesses Us with SOS This Holiday Season" . Vulture . Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 Newstead, Al (December 13, 2022). "SZA: Is SOS Worth the Wait or Too Much of a Good Thing?". Triple J . Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ Hopper, Alex (January 24, 2023). "Top 10 SZA Songs". American Songwriter . Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  24. 1 2 Curto, Justin (December 5, 2022). "SZA Puts Fans on Alert, Announces New Album S.O.S" . Vulture . Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  25. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon (April 18, 2019). "'Power Is Power': SZA / The Weeknd / Travis Scott". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 Hiatt, Brian (January 29, 2023). "The Making of SZA's SOS" . Rolling Stone Music Now (Podcast). Event occurs at 28:27. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  27. ↑ Blake, Cole (December 12, 2022). "SZA Says She's Tired of Being Labeled an R&B Artist". HotNewHipHop . Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  28. ↑ Fitzgerald, Trent (December 9, 2022). "SZA, Travis Scott 'Open Arms' Lyrics – Listen to New Song". XXL . Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  29. ↑ Amorosi, A. D. (December 9, 2022). "SZA Sends Out an SOS That Will Be an Emergency Addition to Everyone's 10-Best Lists: Album Review". Variety . Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  30. ↑ Jenkins, Craig (December 12, 2022). "SZA Wants It All" . Vulture . Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  31. 1 2 3 Amorosi, A. D. (December 9, 2022). "SZA Sends Out an SOS That Will Be an Emergency Addition to Everyone's 10-Best Lists: Album Review". Variety . Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  32. ↑ Moran, Robert; Shand, John; Nguyen, Giselle Au-Nhien (November 29, 2022). "SZA's Addictive Album Is the Summer Soundtrack You've Been Waiting For". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  33. 1 2 O'Brien, Millie (December 12, 2022). "Album Review: SZA – SOS". Gigwise . Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ Disalvo, Tom (November 17, 2022). "SZA Details Forthcoming Sophomore Album S.O.S.". NME . Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  35. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (November 16, 2022). "SZA's New Album S.O.S. Is Arriving in December". Okayplayer . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  36. 1 2 3 SZA (2023). SOS (vinyl liner notes). Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. 19658-77921-1.
  37. ↑ Pareles, Jon (December 13, 2022). "SZA Revels in Mixed Emotions on SOS" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  38. 1 2 Wood, Mikael (December 9, 2022). "On the Dazzling SOS, SZA Spares No One, Least of All Herself" . Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  39. ↑ Smith, Danyel (February 8, 2023). "SZA's Ruination Brought Her Everything" . The New York Times Magazine . Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  40. 1 2 3 Fitzgerald, Trent (December 9, 2022). "SZA, Travis Scott 'Open Arms' Lyrics – Listen to New Song". XXL . Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  41. 1 2 Weiner, Josh (January 4, 2023). "Our Take: SZA Shines on Outstanding Sophomore Album SOS". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023. Scott proves that the chemistry he and SZA first exhibited five years ago on 'Love Galore' still has plenty of mileage left. 'No matter what comes between us, I decided I'm forever ridin', we forever guided,' the widely celebrated MC rhymes on 'Open Arms'...
  42. 1 2 Gonzalez, Alex (January 6, 2023). "SZA Just Dropped a Pair of SOS Outtakes, Including the Much Anticipated 'PSA'". Uproxx . Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  43. ↑ Serrano, Athena (November 16, 2022). "SZA Is 'Currently Stressed' About Releasing New Album S.O.S.". MTV News . Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  44. ↑ Paul, Larisha (December 5, 2022). "SZA Taps Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott for S.O.S Album" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  45. 1 2 "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  46. 1 2 "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  47. 1 2 "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 December 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1711. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 19, 2022. p. 4.
  48. 1 2 "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  49. 1 2 "SZA Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  50. ↑ Singh, Karan (February 20, 2024). "SZA Nabs 7 More Gold & Platinum Plaques for SOS Songs". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  51. ↑ Graff, Gary (February 25, 2023). "SZA Takes Fans Through Emotional Seaside Journey During SOS Tour Stop in Detroit". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  52. ↑ Kress, Bryan (February 22, 2023). "SZA Smoothly Sails Through 'SOS Tour' Opener in Columbus, Ohio: Setlist + Video". Consequence . Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  53. ↑ Wilkes, Emma (January 7, 2023). "SZA Denies Rumours of Taylor Swift Feud: 'I Don't Have Beef [with] Anyone.'". NME . Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  54. ↑ Mier, Tomás (January 6, 2023). "No, SZA Doesn't 'Have Beef' with Taylor Swift" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  55. ↑ Cowen, Trace William (January 6, 2023). "SZA Shuts Down Talk of Beef with Taylor Swift, Says She 'Genuinely Loved' Singer's Midnights Album". Complex . Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  56. 1 2 Empire, Kitty (December 11, 2022). "SZA: SOS Review – a Surfeit of Ideas, Guests and Producers from a Master of Her Craft". The Observer . Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  57. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  58. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  59. ↑ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 2023". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – SZA – Open Arms". Music Canada . Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – SZA – Open Arms" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  62. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – SZA feat. Travis Scott – Open Arms". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  63. ↑ "British single certifications – Sza Ft Travis Scott – Open Arms". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – SZA – Open Arms (feat. Travis Scott)". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.