Some fans find SOS more easily digestible and "vibey" for daily listening, citing its catchy hooks and higher "replay value" compared to the heavier storytelling of Ctrl . Emotional Growth and Perspective
The conversation has an even newer twist. In December 2024, SZA released SOS Deluxe: LANA . For fans who found the original SOS too bloated or slick, some have declared that this version is "much, much better than SOS, tbh." It's described as having a stronger back half and feeling more authentic to the artist. This new iteration adds another layer to the already complex question of which album truly represents the best of SZA.
On CTRL , SZA is the "side chick," the "normal girl" wishing she was someone else, the "20 something" with nothing to her name. Her lyrics are steeped in anxiety and a desperate search for control she doesn't have. It's an album of questions. sza sosrar better
Released in late 2022, showcases a more versatile and technically proficient version of SZA.
: Despite her anxieties, the album was a massive success, spawning global hits like " Snooze " and " Kill Bill " and being praised for its raw, "unfiltered" songwriting that feels like reading her private notes. Some fans find SOS more easily digestible and
On tracks like "Smoking on my Ex Pack," she is far more confident and, at times, viciously honest, moving from the victim mentality of some Ctrl songs to a place of unapologetic self-interest. 3. Sonic Experimentation vs. Cohesion
Critics who initially gave SOS 8/10 scores revisited it. Pitchfork added a “Best New Music” re-review note, stating: “The LANA additions don’t feel like leftovers. They feel like the final act of a play we didn’t know was incomplete.” For fans who found the original SOS too
A frequent argument in favor of Ctrl is its cohesion. However, SOS wins on breadth. Its 23-track runtime is a testament to her creative output, avoiding the "skip" factor despite its length.