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'{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox album | Name = Ctrl | Type = studio | Artist = [[SZA (singer)|SZA]] | Cover = SZA - Ctrl cover.png | Released = {{Start date|2017|6|9}} | Recorded = 2014–17 | Studio = TDE Red Room, [[Carson, California]] | Genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[neo soul]]}} <!--cited in the 'composition' section. Please do not add unsourced genres or remove the sourced one.--> | Length = 49:01 | Label = {{hlist|[[Top Dawg Entertainment|Top Dawg]]|[[RCA Records|RCA]]}} | Producer = {{hlist|Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith {{small|([[Executive producer#Music|exec.]])}}|[[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] {{small|(assoc.)}}|Dave "Miyatola" Free {{small|(assoc.)}}|Bēkon|[[Best Kept Secret (production team)|Craig Balmoris]]|Hector Castro|Cam O'bi|The Donuts|[[Frank Dukes]]|Carter Lang|Josef Leimberg|Scum|ThankGod4Cody}} | Last album = ''[[Z (EP)|Z]]''<br />(2014) | This album = '''''Ctrl'''''<br />(2017) | Next album = | Misc = {{Singles | Name = Ctrl | Type = studio | Single 1 = Drew Barrymore | Single 1 date = January 13, 2017 | Single 2 = [[Love Galore]] | Single 2 date = April 28, 2017 | Single 3 = [[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]] | Single 3 date = September 26, 2017 }} }} '''''Ctrl''''' (pronounced "control") is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter [[SZA (singer)|SZA]]. It was released on June 9, 2017, by [[Top Dawg Entertainment]] and [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/06/08/sza-ctrl-album-stream|title=STREAM SZA'S DEBUT ALBUM 'CTRL'|publisher=''[[Rap-Up]]''}}</ref> Following the release of debut extended play ''[[Z (EP)|Z]]'' (2014), SZA began writing for other artists and working on her debut, however her debut project was met with various setbacks. SZA followed an analog process and contributed heavily to the album's lyrics. Recording continued until 2017 by which SZA had created two hundred songs. During the recording process SZA opted for a freestyle method, relying on moments in the studio. The album was released to acclaim from music critics. It debuted at number three on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], moving 60,000 equivalent-album units in its first full-tracking week. It generated the singles "Drew Barrymore", "[[Love Galore]]", and "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]". As of October 2017, the album has been certified [[RIAA Certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for accumulating over 500,000 in album-equivalent units and pure sales.<ref name="SZA Goes Gold">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7997460/sza-album-ctrl-single-love-galore-gold-certification|title=SZA Goes Gold For the First Time With Album 'Ctrl' & Single 'Love Galore'|first=Megan|last=Armstrong|work=Billboard|date=October 11, 2017|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}</ref> ==Background== Following the release of ''[[Z (EP)|Z]]'' (2014), SZA began working on her debut and writing for other musicians including Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, and ''Anti''{{'}}s opening track "[[Consideration (song)|Consideration]]" for Rihanna, which she featured on. However the debut album faced various setbacks, initially promised at the end of 2015, then at the start of 2016. In October 2016, she criticized her label for her album delays and stated she would be quitting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/29/sza-record-company-took-my-hard-drive-beyonce-kendrick-lamar|title=SZA: ‘The record company took my hard drive from me’|first=Rebecca|last=Nicholson|date=July 29, 2017|publisher=|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> SZA revealed that her debut would be similar to ''[[S (EP)|S]]'' and would include trap influences with more aggressive lyrics, she also announced that she began working with [[James Fauntleroy]], [[Hit-Boy]], and long time collaborator Felix Snow.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.30608/title.kendrick-lamar-s-storytelling-on-new-album-is-on-a-grander-scale-sza-says-|title=Kendrick Lamar's Storytelling On New Album Is "On A Grander Scale," SZA Says|date=September 11, 2014|work=HipHopDX}}</ref> Speaking on the conception of the album, SZA stated that she had spent four years just doing music, I’ve been burying friends, burying family members, burying weight, the way I feel about myself, the way I feel about God, the way I process information.<ref name="rap-up.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/06/08/sza-breakfast-club-interview/|title=SZA Talks 'Ctrl' Concept, TDE Support on 'The Breakfast Club'|publisher=}}</ref> The album was also inspired by SZA’s view of control in her life. Speaking on this she stated "''Ctrl'' is a concept, I’ve lacked control my whole life and I think I’ve craved it my whole life."<ref name="rap-up.com" /> ==Writing and recording== SZA described the album's recording as an "analog process" which featured unplugging and re-plugging wires. During the album's studio sessions, SZA and the album's producers would go into the studio, open up the hard drive, and filter through the recorded songs and beats to decide if the songs were good or "worth trying to make better" and continue experimenting. During the process, SZA would search songs that were in the Top 40 during various years including the 40's and 80's and start listening to their synths to gain some inspiration.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/sza-breakout-rb-star-conquers-self-doubt-and-takes-ctrl-w487994|title=SZA: How the Breakout R&B Star Conquered Self-Doubt and Took 'Ctrl'|publisher=}}</ref> Throughout the album's recording process, record producer [[Rick Rubin]] helped SZA creative process. "I had this mentality that 'more is more' -- more reverb, more background [vocals]," stating "I played him a bunch of songs, and he would tell me, 'The more you take away from any piece, the more room you create for everything else to be beautiful and grow.' I never felt that before, the editing urge. Once you strip everything down, you're forced to say something."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7775679/sza-love-galore-travis-scott-new-song-listen|title=SZA Refuses to Get Played on 'Love Galore' Featuring Travis Scott|publisher=}}</ref> SZA contributed heavily to the album's lyrics. Her contributions to the album, she revealed, were freestyled in some way, though she tried to come in with prerecorded phone notes or journals of ideas. But SZA preferred to just let the moments happen in the studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/video/3019491/sza-ctrl-nostalgia/|title=SZA Talks Ctrl, Getting Corrected By Travis Scott, And The Psychology Of Nostalgia|publisher=}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'', SZA revealed how her record company had to confiscate her hard drive: "They just took my hard drive from me. That was all. I just kept fucking everything up. I just kept moving shit around. I was choosing from 150, 200 songs, so I'm just like, who knows what's good any more?"<ref name="hnhh">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-record-company-took-my-hard-drive-from-me-news.35652.html|title=SZA: Record Company "Took My Hard Drive From Me"|publisher=}}</ref> She also detailed how her [[anxiety]] issues affected her songwriting process: "I [[Freestyle rap|freestyle]] everything, all the way down. And I listen back and think, what’s shitty? And if something’s too shitty and I can’t put my finger on it, and I think, wow this sucks to me, then I get way frustrated, and usually scrap the song."<ref name="hnhh" /> When recording the album, SZA would record in drafts, recording one draft all the way down, before listening back and rephrasing it. However, with the album's opening track "Supermodel", SZA took on a different approach stating, "'Supermodel' was different. Normally if I hear a beat, I hear an idea unfold. I see where it could go. But when I heard 'Supermodel', I couldn't even imagine what the song would sound like. I just wanted. I just wanted to sing. I wanted to think. SZA recorded "Drew Barrymore" after hearing a beat that reminded her of the film ''[[Poison Ivy (1992 film)|Poison Ivy]]'', stating the character was "lashing out because she was lonely and pissed that her life was like this" which SZA connected with.<ref name="rollingstone.com" /> ==Composition== ''Ctrl'' is predominantly an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref name="Chow">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/06/14/532856441/taking-ctrl-why-szas-new-album-means-so-much|title=Taking 'Ctrl': Why SZA's New Album Means So Much|work=[[NPR]]|date=November 13, 2017|accessdate=June 16, 2017|last=Chow|first=Kat}}</ref><ref name="Voynovskaya">{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/sza-ctrl-review.html|title=SZA: CTRL Review|work=[[Paste Magazine]]|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 16, 2017|last=Voynovskaya|first=Nastia}}</ref> and [[neo soul]]<ref name="popmatters" /><ref name="Patrick">{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/sza-ctrl|title=SZA – CTRL|work=[[Exclaim]]|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 16, 2017|last=Patrick|first=Ryan}}</ref> album, and draws influences from [[indie rock]].<ref name="Pitchfork" /><ref name="Voynovskaya" /><ref name="Huskell">{{cite web |url=http://vogue.com/article/sza-new-album-ctrl-interview|title=How SZA Gained Control By Losing It – and Made the Debut Album of the Year |work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=June 16, 2017|accessdate=July 15, 2017|last=Rob|first=Huskell}}</ref> The album contains a precise sonic methodology, which takes influence from pop, hip-hop and electronic genres. The production was characterised as predominantly hip-hop-influenced with hints of soul and pop.<ref name="Patrick" /> The album has a confessional theme, which touch upon SZA's personal experiences of love. The album's lyrics were noted as being "honest" and "often comically blunt".<ref name="Pitchfork" /> The album opens with "Supermodel" which is built over an electric guitar riff, and reads as an "exposed diary entry" that lyrically talks about relationship betrayal and fallout. The song talks about SZA's ex partner who left her on Valentine’s Day.<ref name="Patrick" /><ref name="Pitchfork" /> "Doves in the Wind" features rapper [[Kendrick Lamar]] and is built over a "woozy" production. The songs themes revolves around sexual freedom, yet still having a hunger for intimacy. "Doves in the Wind," makes reference to Forrest Gump, describing the character as the kind of male "who sees women as more than just their bodies."<ref name="Pitchfork" /> "Prom" is a pop song, that was noted for being built over muted guitars which were compared to Police, whilst the lyrics discuss teen angst.<ref name="nme" /> "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]" is an R&B song that samples [[Justin Timberlake]]'s "Set the Mood (Prelude)". SZA stated that the song has dual meanings since it's about different scenario's in which she and other girls got cheated on and betrayed by the same guy. It's about having been in a relationship with a guy to later find out that he cheated on her with more then one girl, but at the same time it's also about her knowing what it's like to be the other girl who finds out that the guy she's seeing already had a girlfriend and was playing her all along. ==Release and promotion== {{See also|Ctrl the Tour}} SZA premiered "Drew Barrymore" on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''. She also announced the title of her debut studio album, initially titled ''A'', but was later renamed to ''CTRL''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/01/13/sza-announces-ctrl-album-drops-drew-barrymore-single/|title=SZA Announces 'CTRL' Album, Drops 'Drew Barrymore' Single|website=Rap-Up|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref> On April 28, 2017, SZA announced she had signed her first [[Major record label|major-label]] [[recording contract]] with [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43223/title.sza-signs-to-rca-records|title=SZA Signs To RCA Records|work=HipHopDX |first=Somhairle |last=Cinnsealach|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sza-announces-deal-with-rca-news.31792.html|title=SZA Announces Deal With RCA|work=Hot New Hiphop|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref> Following the announcement of ''CTRL'', SZA releases a promotional video narrated by rapper [[RZA]]. RZA opened with a dialogue stating "I’m zoning in with my homegirl, SZA—Self Savior, Zig-Zag-Zig Allah." Followed by a short verse "Yeah, I think you can take that far, Mama. Ya know what I mean? Cut loose the drama, no melodrama. Rise to the top, claim ya karma. And it’s my honor to drop this lesson, it’s my honor to give this blessing."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/73764-rza-helps-sza-announce-ctrl-album-release-date/|title=RZA Helps SZA Announce CTRL Album Release Date – Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com}}</ref> On July 5, 2017, SZA announced an official North American headlining concert tour titled [[Ctrl the Tour]] to further promote the album. The tour began on August 20, 2017, in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], at Fête Music Hall, and it is scheduled to conclude on December 22, 2017, in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania at [[The Fillmore#Locations|The Fillmore Philadelphia]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/sza-announces-tour|title=SZA Announces Tour|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=July 13, 2017}}</ref> Despite there being no European leg of the tour, on July 10, 2017, American singer and rapper [[Bryson Tiller]] announced that SZA would be opening for the European portion of his Set It Off Tour in support of his studio album ''[[True to Self]]'' from October 17, 2017, to November 30, 2017, separate from Ctrl the Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/07/10/bryson-tiller-set-it-off-sza|title=Bryson Tiller Announces European Tour With SZA|publisher=}}</ref> Due to tickets for Ctrl the Tour quickly selling out, this prompted additional dates to be added. Due to health problems, the first three dates of the tour were rescheduled, causing the tour to begin on August 20 instead of August 16 as originally scheduled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7933965/sza-ctrl-tour-dates-postponed|title=SZA's CTRL Tour Postponed Due to 'Unforeseen Circumstances'|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sza/status/898638426404036608|title=1. I didn't postpone the tour . I rescheduled 3 days outta like 100 ! lol my body tried to play me but I beat it's ass n im back n ready!https://twitter.com/lashleyn/status/898630379099140096 …|first=|last=SZA|publisher=}}</ref> On July 31, 2017, SZA released a music video for "Supermodel", exclusively on [[Apple Music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7882208/sza-supermodel-new-video|website=Billboard}}</ref> ==Singles== On January 13, 2017, SZA released the album's lead single "Drew Barrymore".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/drew-barrymore-single/id1194815827|title=Drew Barrymore – Single by SZA on Apple Music|website=iTunes}}</ref> It was produced by The Antydote and Carter Lang. On June 20, 2017, SZA released the music video for "Drew Barrymore", which featured a cameo by [[Drew Barrymore]] herself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/sza/status/877254786248187905|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com}}</ref> On April 28, 2017, SZA released the album's second single "[[Love Galore]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-galore-feat-travis-scott-single/id1230080297|title=Love Galore (feat. Travis Scott) – Single by SZA on Apple Music|website=iTunes}}</ref> It features American rapper [[Travis Scott]] and was produced by ThankGod4Cody, Carter Lang, Scum and [[Punch (rapper)|Punch]]. The single entered the top 40 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], reaching number 32. On September 26, 2017, "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]" was sent to urban contemporary radio as the album's third single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924051454/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archivedate=September 24, 2017| title=Urban/UAC Future Releases|accessdate=July 31, 2017}}</ref> It has so far peaked at number 38 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. ===Promotional singles=== On June 2, 2017, "[[Broken Clocks]]" was released as the first promotional single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/06/sza-releases-new-single-broken-clocks|title=Listen to SZA's Latest Single, "Broken Clocks"|website=Complex}}</ref> On June 8, 2017, "Doves in the Wind" was released as the second promotional single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/06/08/sza-doves-in-the-wind-kendrick-lamar|title=Listen To SZA’s “Doves In The Wind” Featuring Kendrick Lamar|last=Craighead|first=Olivia|date=June 8, 2017|website=[[The Fader]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1945781/sza-doves-in-the-wind-feat-kendrick-lamar/music/|title=SZA – “Doves In The Wind” (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)|last=Helman|first=Peter|date=June 8, 2017|website=[[Stereogum]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref> ==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | MC = 86/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/ctrl/sza|title=Reviews and Tracks for CTRL by SZA|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=June 14, 2017}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ctrl-mw0003047932|title=Ctrl – SZA|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Kellman|first=Andy}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' | rev2Score = A−<ref name="avclub">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/thank-god-sza-finally-released-ctrl-256751|title=Thank god SZA finally released Ctrl|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=June 16, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Purdom|first=Clayton}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' | rev3Score = B+<ref name="cos">{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/06/album-review-sza-ctrl/|title=SZA – Ctrl|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=June 22, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2017|last=Lamb|first=Karas}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' | rev4Score = 9/10<ref name="exclaimca">{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/sza-ctrl|title=SZA – CTRL|work=[[Exclaim!]]|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Patrick|first=Ryan B.}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[The Irish Times]]'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="irishtimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/sza-ctrl-album-review-striking-debut-release-from-r-b-star-1.3132982|title=SZA – Ctrl album review: Striking debut release from R&B star|work=[[The Irish Times]]|date=June 28, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2017|last=Carroll|first=Jim|authorlink=Jim Carroll (journalist)}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' | rev6Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="nzherald">{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11874897|title=Album review: SZA, CTRL|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Yates|first=Siena}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[NME]]'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sza-ctrl-album-review|title=SZA – 'CTRL' Review|work=[[NME]]|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Milton|first=Jamie}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[The Observer]]'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/11/sza-ctrl-review|title=SZA: Control review – dreamy and delicious insights into vulnerability|work=[[The Observer]]|date=June 11, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Joshi|first=Tara}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev9Score = 8.4/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sza-ctrl/|title=SZA: CTRL|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 13, 2017|last=Lobenfeld|first=Claire}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' | rev10Score = 8/10<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/sza-ctrl/|title=SZA: CTRL|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=July 20, 2017|accessdate=August 30, 2017|last=Rindner|first=Grant}}</ref> }} ''Ctrl'' received acclaim from music critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[weighted mean]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 86, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim".<ref name="metacritic" /> ''[[The Observer]]''{{'}}s Tara Joshi said the songs are "delicious slow jams with delicate yet powerful vocals and intimate insights into femininity, self-esteem and youth".<ref name="guardian" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'}}s Claire Lobenfeld called the album "an opulent, raw R&B album that constantly tests the borders of the genre", and named "Prom" as one of the standout tracks.<ref name="Pitchfork" /> Siena Yates of ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' described it as "a brutally honest, sonically rich leap down the rabbit hole."<ref name="nzherald" /> In his review of the album, ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}}s [[Jon Pareles]] said of SZA: "But now, she fully commands the foreground of her songs. Her voice is upfront, recorded to sound natural and unaffected, with all its grain and conversational quirks."<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/arts/music/sza-ctrl-review.html|title=SZA's Songs Face Desire In All Its Complications|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Pareles|first=Jon|authorlink=Jon Pareles}}</ref> ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''{{'}}s Jessica McKinny said the album "has definitely kick-started her journey in the right direction. It's raw, soulful, rhythmic and uplifting in all the right places and will surely be a summer gift for old and new fans." She also referred to the album as "stripped down perfection".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/sza-ctrl-album-review/|title=Phenomenal Woman: The Vulnerability, Self-Awareness & Freedom Of SZA's 'Ctrl'|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=June 12, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=McKinney|first=Jessica}}</ref> Gerrick D. Kennedy of ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called the album "equal parts aching, brazen and gorgeously honest" and said of the songs, "The records are tender, vulnerable and often defiant."<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-what-to-listen-to-20170613-story.html|title=What to listen to now: SZA, Bleachers, Secret Sisters and more|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 14, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017}}</ref> Ryan B. Patrick of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' referred to SZA as "the full package in terms of artistry: killer singing and songwriting abilities with a distinct perspective on life, love and destiny". He went on to say that ''Ctrl'' "is craft in action, a uniquely excellent album from a uniquely excellent artist."<ref name="exclaimca" /> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''{{'}}s Nastia Voynovskaya called the album "strikingly relatable" and likened her vocals to that of [[Amy Winehouse]] and [[Billie Holiday]].<ref name="pastemagazine">{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/sza-ctrl-review.html|title=SZA: CTRL Review|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=July 13, 2017|last=Voynovskaya|first=Nastia}}</ref> Jamie Milton of ''[[NME]]'' said it "effortlessly winds between narratives and genres like it's child's play" and went on to say that the artist "isn't a star in the making, it's a fully-fledged talent who's practically showing off." They also named "Prom" as the standout song of the album.<ref name="nme" /> ''Rolling Stone''<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2017-so-far-w487435/chris-stapleton-from-a-room-volume-1-w487467 |title=50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far |date=June 20, 2017 |work=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://variety.com/2017/music/news/best-music-2017-kendrick-lamar-lorde-harry-styles-1202478411/ |title=Best Music of 2017 (So Far) |date=June 26, 2017 |work=Variety |access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> included ''Ctrl'' on their mid-year lists of best albums. ==Commercial performance== ''Ctrl'' debuted at number three on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 60,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, of which 25,000 were pure album sales.<ref name="Ctrl Billboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7833967/katy-perry-witness-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart|title=Katy Perry Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Witness'|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|work=Billboard|date=June 18, 2017|accessdate=June 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name="HHDX1">{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43827/title.hip-hop-album-sales-szas-ctrl-debuts-on-billboard-200|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: SZA's "CTRL" Debuts On Billboard 200|publisher=HipHopDX|date=June 19, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2017}}</ref> In its second week on the charts, the album dropped to number 11 with 30,000 album-equivalent units.<ref name="HHDX2">{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43886/title.hip-hop-album-sales-2-chainzs-pretty-girls-like-trap-music-makes-its-billboard-200-debut|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: 2 Chainz's "Pretty Girls Like Trap Music" Makes Its Billboard 200 Debut|publisher=HipHopDX|date=June 26, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2017}}</ref> The record remained stable at number 12 in its third week, moving 28,000 album-equivalent units and dropping to number 13 on the following week with 25,000 album-equivalent units (5,000 pure album sales).<ref name="HHDX3">{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43944/title.hip-hop-album-sales-dj-khaleds-star-studded-affair-grateful-nabs-1-spot-on-billboard-200|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: DJ Khaled's Star-Studded Affair "Grateful" Nabs #1 Spot On Billboard 200|publisher=HipHopDX|date=July 3, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="HHDX4">{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.44017/title.hip-hop-album-sales-dj-khaleds-grateful-still-1-jay-zs-444-didnt-chart-despite-going-platinum|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: DJ Khaled's "Grateful" Still #1, Jay-Z's "4:44" Didn't Chart Despite Going Platinum|publisher=HipHopDX|date=July 10, 2017|accessdate=July 29, 2017}}</ref> At the end of September 2017, the album had accumulated over 394,000 equivalent units with 80,000 being pure sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=308538|title=Rumor Mill – TOP 50 STREAMED SONGS, SPS ALBUMS THIS YEAR|publisher=}}</ref> On October 11, 2017, ''Ctrl'' was certified [[RIAA Certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for combined sales and [[album-equivalent unit]]s of over 500,000 units.<ref name="SZA Goes Gold">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7997460/sza-album-ctrl-single-love-galore-gold-certification|title=SZA Goes Gold For the First Time With Album 'Ctrl' & Single 'Love Galore'|first=Megan|last=Armstrong|work=Billboard|date=October 11, 2017|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}</ref> ==Track listing== Credits adapted from liner notes. All lyrics were written by SZA. <ref name=linernotes>{{cite AV media notes|others=SZA|title=Ctrl|year=2017|publisher=RCA}}</ref> {{Track listing | writing_credits = yes | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 49:01 | title1 = Supermodel | writer1 = {{hlist|[[SZA (singer)|Solána Rowe]]|[[Pharrell Williams]]|Tyran Donaldson|[[Punch (rapper)|Terrence Henderson]]|[[Nico Segal#2014-present: The Social Experiment|Greg Landfair, Jr.]]}} | extra1 = Scum | length1 = 3:01 | title2 = [[Love Galore]] | note2 = featuring [[Travis Scott]] | writer2 = {{hlist|Rowe|Cody Fayne|Carter Lang|[[Travis Scott|Jacques Webster]]|Henderson}} | extra2 = {{hlist|ThankGod4Cody|Lang}} | length2 = 4:35 | title3 = Doves in the Wind | note3 = featuring [[Kendrick Lamar]] | writer3 = {{hlist|Rowe|Cameron Osteen|[[Kendrick Lamar|Kendrick Duckworth]]|[[Redman (rapper)|Reggie Noble]]|[[DJ Kool|John Bowman]]|[[Rockwilder|Dana Stinson]]|[[Busta Rhymes|Trevor Smith]]|[[J Dilla|James Yancey]]}} | extra3 = Cam O'bi | length3 = 4:26 | title4 = Drew Barrymore | writer4 = {{hlist|Rowe|Lang|Donaldson|Macie Stewart|Henderson}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Lang|Scum}} | length4 = 3:51 | title5 = Prom | writer5 = {{hlist|Rowe|Donaldson|Lang}} | extra5 = {{hlist|Scum|Lang{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length5 = 3:16 | title6 = [[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]] | writer6 = {{hlist|Rowe|Fayne|[[Justin Timberlake]]|[[Timbaland|Timothy Mosley]]|[[Danja (record producer)|Floyd Hills]]}} | extra6 = ThankGod4Cody | length6 = 4:32 | title7 = Go Gina | writer7 = {{hlist|Rowe|Donaldson|Lang|[[Frank Dukes|Adam Feeney]]}} | extra7 = {{hlist|Scum|Lang|[[Frank Dukes]]{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length7 = 2:41 | title8 = Garden (Say It Like Dat) | writer8 = {{hlist|Rowe|Daniel Tannenbaum|[[Best Kept Secret (production team)|Craig Balmoris]]}}|Sergiu Gherman|Tyler Mehlenbacher| | extra8 = {{hlist|Bēkon|The Donuts{{ref|a|[a]}}|Balmoris{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length8 = 3:28 | title9 = [[Broken Clocks]] | writer9 = {{hlist|Rowe|Fayne|[[River Tiber (musician)|Thomas Paxton-Beesley]]|Feeney|Ashton Simmons}} | extra9 = ThankGod4Cody | length9 = 3:51 | title10 = Anything | writer10 = {{hlist|Rowe|Donaldson|Lang|Peter Wilkins|[[Donna Summer]]|[[Giorgio Moroder]]|[[Pete Bellotte]]}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Scum|Lang{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length10 = 2:29 | title11 = Wavy (Interlude) | note11 = featuring [[James Fauntleroy]] | writer11 = {{hlist|Rowe|Lukasz Plas|Fayne|[[James Fauntleroy]]}} | extra11 = {{hlist|ThankGod4Cody|Prophit}} | length11 = 1:15 | title12 = Normal Girl | writer12 = {{hlist|Rowe|Lang|Donaldson|Henderson}} | extra12 = Lang | length12 = 4:13 | title13 = Pretty Little Birds | note13 = featuring [[Isaiah Rashad]] | writer13 = {{hlist|Rowe|Donaldson|Lang|Josef Leimberg|[[Isaiah Rashad|Isaiah McClain]]}} | extra13 = {{hlist|Scum|Lang|Leimberg}} | length13 = 4:05 | title14 = 20 Something | writer14 = {{hlist|Rowe|Donaldson|Lang}} | extra14 = {{hlist|Scum|Lang}} | length14 = 3:18 }} '''Notes''' * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer * "Supermodel" features additional vocals by [[Pharrell Williams]] '''Sample credits''' * "Doves in the Wind" contains a sample of the recording "[[Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)]]", written by [[Redman (rapper)|Reggie Noble]], [[DJ Kool|John Bowman]] and [[Rockwilder|Dana Stinson]] and performed by [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], and an interpolation from "Turn Me Up Some", written by [[Busta Rhymes|Trevor Smith]] and [[J Dilla|James Yancey]] and performed by [[Busta Rhymes]] * "The Weekend" contains elements of "[[FutureSex/LoveSounds|Set the Mood (Prelude)]]", written by [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Timbaland|Timothy Mosley]] and [[Danja (record producer)|Floyd Hills]] and performed by Justin Timberlake. * "Broken Clocks" contains a sample of the recording "West", written by Thomas Paxton-Beesley, [[Frank Dukes|Adam Feeney]] and Ashton Simmons and performed by [[River Tiber (musician)|River Tiber]]. * "Anything" contains a sample of the recording "Spring Affair", written by [[Giorgio Moroder]], [[Pete Bellotte]] and [[Donna Summer]] and performed by Donna Summer. ==Personnel== {{Div col||35em}} * Sage Adams – visual direction, photography * [[Best Kept Secret (production team)|Craig Balmoris]] – additional production {{small|(track 8)}} * Bēkon – production {{small|(track 8)}}, engineering {{small|(track 8)}} * Joshua Binder – legal * [[Mike Bozzi]] – mastering * Ray Charles Brown – engineering {{small|(track 1)}} * Cam O'Bi – production {{small|(track 3)}} * Juan Carlos – engineering {{small|(track 7)}}, recording * Hector Castro – engineering {{small|(track 8)}}, mixing {{small|(track 8)}}, recording * Jason Chandler – photography * Chris Classick – engineering {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9)}}, recording * Ivan Corpening – recording * The Donuts – additional production {{small|(track 8)}} * [[Frank Dukes]] – additional production {{small|(track 7)}} * Jared "JT" Gagarin – engineering {{small|(track 12)}}, recording * Dianne Garcia – styling * Granny – skit {{small|(track 3)}} * Blake Harden – engineering {{small|(track 14)}}, recording * James Hunt – recording * [[Top Dawg Entertainment|Derek "MixedByAli" Ali]] – mixing * Carter Lang – production {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 7, 12-14)}}, additional production {{small|(tracks 5, 10)}} * Josef Leimberg – production {{small|(track 13)}}, recording {{small|(track 13)}} * [[Top Dawg Entertainment|Dave "Miyatola" Free]] – associate producer, TDE management, A&R * Mommy – skit {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 14)}} * Moosa – TDE management * Tyler Page – recording * Christopher Parsons – photography * Joshua Patrick – A&R coordination * Peter Cottontale – bass {{small|(track 10)}} * Lukasz Plas – recording * Prophit – production {{small|(track 11)}}, engineering {{small|(tracks 3-5, 11, 13)}}, recording {{small|(track 11)}} * [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] – associate producer, TDE management, A&R, creative direction * Roberto "Ret One" Reyes – TDE management, graphic design and packaging * Matt Schaeffer – recording {{small|(track 3)}} * Scum – production {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14)}}, engineering {{small|(track 10)}} * Vlad Sepetov – graphic design and packaging * [[Marrow (band)|Macie Stewart]] – strings {{small|(track 4)}} * Stix – additional drums {{small|(track 1)}} * [[SZA (singer)|SZA]] – lead artist, A&R, creative direction, visual direction, styling * Cyrus Taghipour – recording * Andres Aguirre – recording * ThankGod4Cody – production {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9, 11)}} * [[Top Dawg Entertainment|Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith]] – executive producer * [[Pharrell Williams]] – additional vocals {{small|(track 1)}} * 42West – publicity {{div col end}} ==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Australia|40|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 17, 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Australian Urban Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20170613-0000/Issue1425.pdf |title=ARIA Urban Albums Chart – Week Commencing 19th June 2017 |format=PDF |journal=[[ARIA Charts]] |issue=1425 |page=19 |date=June 19, 2017 |accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> | 5 |- {{album chart|Flanders|125|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 16, 2017}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|10|artist=SZA|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 19, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|58|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=July 10, 2017}} |- {{album chart|France|166|M|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-album-megafusion/?ye=2017&we=24|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 24, 2017)|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2017}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|15|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 16, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|96|artist=SZA|album=Ctrl|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 21, 2017}} |- {{album chart|UK|50|artist=SZA|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 17, 2017}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|10|date=20170616|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 25, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=SZA|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 19, 2017}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=SZA|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 20, 2017}} |} ==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=CTRL|artist=SZA|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|accessdate=October 17, 2017}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{Discogs master|type=album|1193369}} {{SZA}} [[Category:2017 debut albums]] [[Category:Top Dawg Entertainment albums]] [[Category:RCA Records albums]] [[Category:Neo soul albums]] [[Category:English-language albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Best Kept Secret (production team)]] [[Category:Albums produced by Frank Dukes]] [[Category:Albums produced by Pharrell Williams]] [[Category:Albums produced by Terrace Martin]]'