Examine individual changes

'{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox album | name = Ctrl | type = studio | artist = [[SZA (singer)|SZA]] | cover = SZA - Ctrl cover.png | alt = | released = {{Start date|2017|6|9}} | recorded = 2014–17 | venue = | studio = {{hlist|No Excuses|The Lake House in Michigan|EngineEars|Platinum Sounds|Top Dawg House of Pain|Josef Leimberg's studios|Windmark|1500 or Nothin' Studios}} | genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative R&B]]|[[neo soul]]}} | 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}} | prev_title = [[Z (EP)|Z]] | prev_year = 2014 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = Ctrl | type = studio | single1 = Drew Barrymore | single1date = January 13, 2017 | single2 = [[Love Galore]] | single2date = April 28, 2017 | single3 = [[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]] | single3date = September 26, 2017 | single4 = [[Broken Clocks]] | single4date = January 9, 2018 | single5 = Garden (Say It Like Dat) | single5date = June 19, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|title=Urban/UAC Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates|publisher=AllAccess Music Group|accessdate=June 10, 2018|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180610032039/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archive-date=June 10, 2018}}</ref> }} }} '''''Ctrl''''' (pronounced "control") is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter [[SZA (singer)|SZA]]. It was released on June 9, 2017, on [[Top Dawg Entertainment]]/[[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> Originally scheduled for release in late 2015, it was delayed by SZA's experience of "a kind of blinding paralysis brought on by anxiety." She worked and reworked the album until the record company took away her hard drive in the spring of 2017.<ref name="guardian record company took hard drive">{{cite news|last1=Nicholson|first1=Rebecca|title=SZA: ‘The record company took my hard drive from me’|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/29/sza-record-company-took-my-hard-drive-beyonce-kendrick-lamar|accessdate=5 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=July 29, 2017}}</ref> SZA wrote most of the album's lyrics and collaborated with producers including [[Best Kept Secret (production team)|Craig Balmoris]], [[Frank Dukes]], Carter Lang, Scum and ThankGod4Cody to achieve its sound. The efforts resulted in a primarily neo-soul and R&B album, with elements of hip-hop, electronic, indie and soul. Lyrically the album has a confessional theme, which touch upon SZA's personal experiences and complexities of modern love; including desire, competition, jealousy, sexual politics, social media, and low self-esteem. 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]]", "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]", and "[[Broken Clocks]]". As of March 2018, the album has been certified [[RIAA Certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for accumulating over 1,000,000 in album-equivalent units and pure sales.<ref name="SZA Goes Gold"/> The album and its songs were nominated for four [[Grammy Award]]s, while SZA was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]. ==Background== After meeting members of [[Top Dawg Entertainment]] during the [[CMJ]] 2011, a friend attending the show with her foisted early SZA songs onto TDE president [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]], who liked the material and stayed in touch.<ref name="billboard.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6041313/sza-talks-z-album-being-the-only-girl-in-top-dawg-entertainment |title=SZA Talks 'Z' Album & Being the Only Girl In Top Dawg Entertainment |publisher=Billboard |date= |accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref> Two years later, in June 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment announced they were planning to sign two more artists.<ref name="rashadsigning">{{cite web|last=Paine |first=Jake |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24176/title.tde-reportedly-signs-chattanooga-tennessee-rapper-isaiah-rashad |title=TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad &#124; Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=June 3, 2013 |accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/kendrick-lamar-confirms-theres-a-new-artist-joining-tde |title=Kendrick Lamar Confirms There's a New Artist Joining TDE |publisher=Complex |date= |accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref> On July 14, it was revealed Top Dawg had signed an upcoming female singer named SZA to the label; through this deal, SZA released ''[[Z (EP)|Z]]'' (2014).<ref name="thesource.com">{{cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2013/08/14/presenting-tdes-new-songstress-listen-to-szas-new-song-teen-spirit/ |title=Presenting TDE’s New Songstress. Listen To SZA’s New Song, "Teen Spirit" |publisher=TheSource |date=August 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref> 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=https://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== The album's sessions began in 2014 and took place at the TDE Red Room in [[Carson, California]]. The album's recording process was described as being analog and featured the unplugging and re-plugging of wires in order to create the desired sound. During the album's studio sessions, SZA and the album's producers would go into the studio, and filter through the recorded songs and beats to decide if the songs were good or worth experimenting with in order to make better. SZA would search songs that were in the top forty charts during various years including the 40's and 80's, she would then listen to their style, beats and synths to gain some inspiration.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite web|url=https://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's 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> In 2015, SZA was introduced to Carter Lang, by Peter Cottontale in Chicago. After performing together at Lollapalooza that same year, SZA and Lang along with producer Tyron "Scum" Donaldson began to develop a rapport on the road to creating her debut album. The three held studio sessions across the country from Los Angeles to Chicago and even setting up shop in Carter's Michigan home in 2016, where they constructed the Travis Scott-assisted, "Love Galore", in Lang's Mom's office using studio equipment he brought there. Lang, Tyron Donaldson, ThankGod4Cody and other producers would challenge each other and send each other different music to work on. SZA would then hear the music and want to create off of that. During the producers competition of who could create the better song the collectively created "Broken Clocks". "Drew Barrymore" was conceived at Lang's studio in Chicago in 2016, while SZA was sleeping. Lang ended up notching production credits on eight tracks from the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8078602/carter-lang-interview-ctrl-sza-vic-mensa|title=Carter Lang Talks Crafting 'CTRL' With SZA, Working With Vic Mensa & Why Chicago Keeps Winning|website=billboard.com}}</ref> [[File:Carson California.jpg|thumb|The album was recorded in [[Carson, California]].]] SZA contributed heavily to the album's lyrics co-writing all fourteen tracks. SZA would freestyle the songs in a hope to "let the moments happen in the studio."<ref name="mtv_3019491"/> Initially she tried to record phone notes and write down ideas in journals in order to help her write.<ref name="mtv_3019491"/> SZA's record label TDE confiscated her hard drive during the album's recording, because SZA could not decide on the songs she wanted on the finished album, from the 150 - 200 she recorded.<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 from drafts of paper, 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. With other songs from the album SZA would often hear the beat and see "an idea unfold", however when SZA heard 'Supermodel', she couldn't even imagine what the song would sound stating "I just wanted. I just wanted to sing. I wanted to think."<ref name="rollingstone.com" /> SZA recorded "Drew Barrymore" after hearing a production that reminded her of the film ''[[Poison Ivy (1992 film)|Poison Ivy]]'', noting the emotion Ivy felt in film was something SZA connected with stating her character was "lashing out because she was lonely and pissed that her life was like this".<ref name="rollingstone.com" /> "The Weekend" was produced by ThankGod4Cody who was given the idea to sample "Set the Mood (Prelude)/[[Until the End of Time (Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé song)|Until the End of Time]]" from a member of his team. After being handed the sample he added chords, a "glittery layer" and bass. After some experimentation with the vocals from the sample, the drums, and some additions in the reverb, he placed the song's [[Snare drum|snares]] and [[hi-hat]]s, and rounded it all out with a [[cymbal]], as he told the website [[Genius (website)|Genius]]. The production was made with SZA in mind.<ref name="genius"/> SZA said about the sample in an interview with [[Associated Press]], "I didn't even think about anything I was saying. I was just happy to be singing over that Justin Timberlake sample... I was just like, ‘This is for fun. This is crazy."<ref name="AP">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/outtakes-sza-on-writing-for-beyonce-and-sampling-timberlake/2017/12/20/ebb46138-e5b0-11e7-927a-e72eac1e73b6_story.html |title=Outtakes: SZA on writing for Beyonce and sampling Timberlake |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=December 20, 2017 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=December 20, 2017}}</ref> ==Composition== ''Ctrl'' is a fourteen track set that departs from traditional R&B leanings. ''Ctrl's'' songs are predominantly alternative R&B, [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref name="Chow">{{cite web|url=https://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> The album tests the borders of traditional R&B, drawing influences from trap and [[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, with a fluent production, containing influences from pop, hip-hop and electronic genres. These influences were compared to a mixture of different artists work including Sade, [[Lauryn Hill]], Purity Ring, Yuki, Björk and Billie Holiday.<ref name="Patrick" /> 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 lyrical content was seen as being "frank" and was noted as an insight into the complexities of modern love; of how desire, competition, jealousy, sexual politics, social media and low self-esteem can derail a relationship.<ref name="bbc_42427212"/> A reviewer from Pitchfork described the album's lyrics as being "honest" and "often comically blunt".<ref name="Pitchfork" /> SZA's vocals were noted for containing echoes that were achieved by turning down the reverb; this was done to give the album an "intimate, confessional tone".<ref name="bbc_42427212"/> [[File:Travis Scott April 2017.jpg|left|thumb|180px| "Love Galore" is a woozy trap-ballad that features American rapper [[Travis Scott]].]] 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" /> "Love Galore" is a woozy trap-ballad that features American rapper [[Travis Scott]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/07/sza-travis-scott-love-galore-tonight-show-video/|title=Watch SZA & Travis Scott Perform "Love Galore" on The Tonight Show|date=July 21, 2017|website=spin.com}}</ref> Speaking on their collaboration SZA stated "I think he merges that super-fine line between melody and syncopation and pocket. And I love his pockets, and I love his note choice. He’s just gnarly. He’s perfect."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr5V6muCJR8|title=SZA "Love Galore" Official Lyrics & Meaning - Verified|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=June 20, 2017}}</ref> "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 sexual objects.<ref name="Pitchfork" /> "Drew Barrymore" is a "sluggish" R&B song with introspective lyrics, whilst "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]]", features writing from [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Timbaland]], and [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]] who were credited as the song samples "Set the Mood (Prelude)/[[Until the End of Time (Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé song)|Until the End of Time]]" from the 2006 album ''[[FutureSex/LoveSounds]]''.<ref name="genius"/> "The Weekend" is an [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/06/sza-ctrl-album-review |title=On 'Ctrl,' SZA Reveals Who She Really Is |date=June 13, 2017 |work=Complex}}</ref> and [[neo soul]]<ref name="exclaimca"/> track. Although some online publications called the song's narrator a "[[Mistress (lover)|side chick]]", SZA sings from the perspective of a woman who only sees her partner on the weekend, while other girls have him during the week.<ref name="AP"/> “Go Gina” is a reference to [[Tisha Campbell]]’s role of Gina on the ’90s sitcom [[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]. Lyrical the song reflects on an environment that dislikes determined women, the song goes on to discuss how people try to simplify her problems in a self-serving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3022286/sza-ctrl-review/|title=SZA Comes Into Her Power On Ctrl|website=mtv.com}}</ref> "Broken Clocks" enfolds SZA amid blurry keyboard tones and a watery sample of men's voices as she ponders memories of an old romance that still haunts her."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jon Pareles|date=June 7, 2017|title=SZA's Songs Face Desire in All Its Complications|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/arts/music/sza-ctrl-review.html|work=New York Times|access-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> Joshua Espinoza of ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' magazine regarded the song as "a mid-tempo cut about optimism and perseverance".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Joshua Espinoza|date=June 2, 2017|title=Listen to SZA's Latest Single, "Broken Clocks"|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/06/sza-releases-new-single-broken-clocks|work=Complex|access-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> {{clear}} ==Release and promotion== {{See also|Ctrl the Tour}} [[File:SZA CTRL Tour Toronto 2017 8 (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|185px|SZA performing in Toronto, Canada on the Ctrl the Tour in August 2017.]] 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 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> 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|title=Watch SZA Get the Last Laugh in 'Supermodel' Video|website=Billboard|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> On December 9, 2017, SZA appeared on [[Saturday Night Live]] making her the second artist from her label to appear on the program following Lamar. The performance received critical acclaim for its power and a new verse she added to her song "Love Galore" in the absence of Travis Scott.<ref>https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-sza-perform-the-weekend-and-love-galore-on-snl/</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> Commercially, the song did not fare well since it was not released to radio. 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 [[music video]] for the song, directed by Nabil, premiered on April 27, 2017.<ref name="thefader">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/04/27/sza-love-galore-single-travis-scott-tde|title=SZA Shares A New Video For "Love Galore," Featuring Travis Scott|work=The Fader|date=April 27, 2017|accessdate=June 20, 2017}}</ref> It was uploaded to SZA's [[Vevo]] channel on April 28, 2017.<ref name="thefader" /> Commercially the song fared well in North America, charting on Canadian charts and entering the top forty on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], reaching number thirty-two. 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> As of the chart dated January 3, 2018 it has peaked at number twenty-nine on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming her highest charting solo single in that region. A music video for the song directed by [[Solange Knowles]] was officially released on December 22, 2017. Both "Love Galore" and "The Weekend" have been certified Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]. "[[Broken Clocks]]" was sent to urban contemporary radio on January 9, 2018 as the album's fourth single after being previously released as a promotional single as a part of the album's pre-order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104123032/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases| title=Urban/UAC Future Releases|archivedate=January 4, 2018}}</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"/> | 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 15 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" /> ===Accolades=== ''Ctrl'' has appeared on multiple year-end lists in 2017. The album was listed as the best album of 2017 by multiple publications including ''[[Exclaim!]]'', ''[[New York Daily News]]'', ''[[Noisey]]'', ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/exclaim_s_top_10_soul_and_r_and_b_albums-best_of_2017/page/2|title=Top 10 Soul and R&B Albums of 2017|work=[[Exclaim!]]|author=''Yasmine Shemesh''|date=Nov 30, 2017|accessdate=Jan 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/25-best-albums-2017-article-1.3666278|title=The 25 best albums of 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|author=''Amy Rowe and Spencer Dukoff''|date=November 30, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/pazbwn/noisey-100-best-albums-of-2017|title=The 100 Best Albums of 2017|work=[[Noisey]]|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://time.com/5034987/best-albums-2017/|title=The Top 10 Albums of 2017|author=''Raisa Bruner''|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/pazbwn/noisey-100-best-albums-of-2017|title=The 100 Best Albums of 2017|website=Vice|accessdate=18 December 2017}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' <small>(by [[Jon Caramanica]])</small>,<ref name="NYT Best of 2017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/arts/music/best-albums-2017.html?_r=0|title=The Best Albums of 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=''Jon Caramanica and Jon Pareles''|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[NPR]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/12/568723777/the-50-best-albums-of-2017-page-3|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2017: NPR|work=[[NPR]]|date=December 12, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-50-best-albums-of-2017/?page=5|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2017|work=Pitchfork|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 13, 2017}}</ref>''[[Dazed]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/38392/1/the-20-best-albums-of-2017|title=The 20 best albums of 2017 {{!}} Dazed|work=[[Dazed]]|date=December 13, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8062834/billboard-50-best-albums-of-2017-critics-picks|title=Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks|work=Billboard|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/opinion/albums-of-the-year/the-skinny-top-50-albums-of-2017|title=The Skinny's Top 50 Albums of 2017|work=[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]|date=November 29, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Uproxx]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-of-2017-ranked-list/|title=50 Best Albums Of 2017, Ranked|work=[[Uproxx]]|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> all placed the album at number two on the list of best albums of 2017, whilst ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.complex.com/music/best-albums-2017/|title=The Best Albums of 2017|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ew.com/music/best-albums-of-2017/the-best-albums-of-2017/|title=Best Albums of 2017: EW Picks 25 Greatest|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/ticket-awards-2017-the-best-music-of-the-year-1.3309674|title=Ticket Awards 2017: The best music of the year|work=[[The Irish Times]]|author=''Louise Bruton''|date=December 2, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Mashable]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2017/12/08/best-albums-2017/#03mywK4joZq4|title=Our 10 favorite albums of 2017|work=[[Mashable]]|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/the-top-10-albums-of-2017/|title= The 10 best albums of 2017|work=[[Now (newspaper)|NOW]]|author=''NOW Staff''|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Rap-Up]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/12/12/rap-up-20-best-albums-of-2017/|title=Rap-Up's 20 Best Albums of 2017|publisher=[[Rap-Up]]|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref> ranked the album as the third best. The album was placed at number four on ''[[Crack Magazine]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/feature-lists/albums-2017-50-1/|title=The Top Albums of 2017|work=[[Crack Magazine]]|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Fuse (magazine)|Fuse magazines]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2017/12/best-albums-of-the-year-2017|title=The Best 20 Albums of 2017|work=[[Fuse (magazine)|Fuse]]|author=''Fuse Staff''|date=December 8, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> list of best albums and was placed at number five by the ''[[The A.V. Club|A.V. Club]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-a-v-club-s-20-best-albums-of-2017-1820857283|title=The A.V. Club's 20 best albums of 2017|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/best-albums-2017-loyle-carner-lorde-kendrick-lamar-taylor-swift-stormzy-j-hus-lists-a8071516.html|title=The 30 best albums of 2017|work=The Independent|author=''Roisin O'Connor''|date=November 27, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Stereogum]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/featured/the-50-best-albums-of-2017/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2017|author=''Stereogum'' Staff|work=[[Stereogum]]|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[USA Today (magazine)|USA Today]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/12/04/usa-todays-10-favorite-albums-2017/911021001/|title=USA TODAY's 10 favourite albums of 2017|publisher=[[USA Today (magazine)|USA Today]]|author=''Maeve McDermott and Patrick Ryan''|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' and ''[[The Sunday Times Magazine|The Sunday Times]]'' both placed the album at number six on their year end lists,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11958924|title=Aldous Harding, Lorde and Kendrick Lamar: Here are the best albums of 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|author=''NZ Herald Entertainment Staff''|date=December 14, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/100-best-albums-of-the-year-2017-lp0wlrkq0|title=The 100 Best Albums of the Year|work=[[The Sunday Times Magazine]]|date=December 3, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> while ''[[Atlantic Monthly]]'', ''[[NME]]'', ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' and ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' ranked ''CTRL'' the seventh best album of 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/12/best-albums-2017/547451/|title=The 10 Best Albums of 2017: Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Priests, and More|work=[[Atlantic Monthly|The Atlantic]]|author=''Spencer Kornhaber''|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/11/top-50-albums-of-2017/5/|title=Top 50 Albums of 2017|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|accessdate=November 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nme.com/list/nmes-albums-of-the-year-2017-2161481|title=NME's Albums of The Year 2017|work=[[NME]]|date=November 23, 2017|accessdate=November 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/best-albums-of-2017|title=29 Best Albums of 2017 You Need to Know|work=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]|author=''Time Out editors''|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=December 13, 2017}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' <small>(by [[Jon Pareles]])</small> placed the album at number eight, whilst ''[[Loud and Quiet]]'' and ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' placed the album at number ten respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/short/best-albums-2017-loud-and-quiet-top-40/|title=The Loud and Quiet top 40 albums of 2017|work=[[Loud and Quiet]]|date=December 8, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="NYT Best of 2017"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/music/2017-best-albums-of-year-list/taylor-swift-reputation/|title=PEOPLE Picks the 10 Best Albums of 2017|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=December 8, 2017|author=Jeff Nelson|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref> ''CTRL'' was ranked as the twelfth best album by ''[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]'', the fifteenth by ''[[Slant Magazine|Slant]]'' and the twentieth by ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestranger.com/music/2017/11/22/25603512/top-10-albums-of-2017-local-and-national|title=Top 10 Albums of 2017, Local and National|work=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]|author=''Stranger Staff''|date=November 22, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-25-best-albums-of-2017/P3|title=The 25 Best Albums of 2017|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|author=''Slant Staff''|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2017-w511763|title=50 Best Albums of 2017|author=''Rolling Stone'' Staff|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 27, 2017|accessdate=November 27, 2017}}</ref> The album was also included on the lower end of numerous other year end lists including ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' (25),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/11/the-50-best-albums-of-2017.html?p=3|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2017|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|author=''Paste Staff''|date=November 27, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' (27),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/800-q-magazines-50-best-albums-of-2017/|title=Q Magazine's 50 Best Albums of 2017|work=Q Magazine|publisher=''Album of the Year''|date=November 21, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Gorilla vs. Bear]]'' (28),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gorillavsbear.net/gorilla-vs-bears-albums-of-2017/|title=Gorilla vs. Bear's Albums of 2017|work=[[Gorilla vs. Bear]]|author=''Chris''|date=December 3, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' (42),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4151506-drowned-in-sounds-favourite-albums-of-2017|title=Drowned in Sound's Favourite Albums of 2017|work=[[Drowned in Sound]]|author=''Sam Adams''|date=December 3, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' (53),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/795-uncuts-75-best-albums-of-2017/|title=Uncut's 75 Best Albums of 2017|work=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|date=November 16, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Resident (magazine)|Resident]]'' (65),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.resident-music.com/annual|title=The Resident Annual 2017|work=[[Resident (magazine)|Resident]]|date=|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[The Quietus]]'' (68) respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/23660-albums-of-the-year-2017|title=Quietus Albums Of The Year 2017, In Association With Norman Records|work=[[The Quietus]]|date=December 11, 2017|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}</ref> ==Awards== SZA received five nominations at the [[60th Annual Grammy Awards]] (2018) including [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]], [[Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album|Best Urban Contemporary Album]] for ''Ctrl'', [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance|Best R&B Performance]] for "[[The Weekend (SZA song)|The Weekend]]", [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] "Supermodel" and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance|Best Rap/Sung Performance]] for "[[Love Galore (SZA song)|Love Galore]]" featuring [[Travis Scott]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/60th-grammy-awards-full-nominees-list|title=See The Full List Of 60th Grammy Nominees|publisher=[[Grammy Award]]|accessdate=November 28, 2017}}</ref> ==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"/> As of March 1, 2018, “Ctrl” went platinum surpassing the sale of 1,000,000 unit, along with “Love Galore” and “The Weekend” going 2x platinum; “Garden” and “Broken Clocks” going gold. ==Track listing== Credits adapted from liner notes.<ref name=linernotes>{{cite AV media notes|others=SZA|title=Ctrl|year=2017|publisher=RCA}}</ref> {{Track listing | 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''' * "Love Galore" contains an uncredited sample of the recording "Houstatlantavegas" by Sonnymoon. * "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" embodies portions of "West", written by Thomas Paxton-Beesley, [[Frank Dukes|Adam Feeney]] and [[Daniel Caesar|Ashton Simmonds]] and performed by [[River Tiber (musician)|River Tiber]] featuring [[Daniel Caesar]]. * "Anything" contains a sample of the recording "Spring Affair", written by [[Giorgio Moroder]], [[Pete Bellotte]] and [[Donna Summer]] and performed by Donna Summer. * “Normal Girl” contains an interpolation of [[Controlla]] by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] ==Personnel== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Technical''' * Lukasz Plas – recording * James Hunt – recording * Juan Carlos – recording, engineering {{small|(track 7)}} * Jared "JT" Gagarin – recording, engineering {{small|(track 12)}} * Blake Harden – recording, engineering {{small|(Travis Scott on track 2; track 14)}} * Tyler Page – recording * Cyrus Taghipour – recording * Ivan Corpening – recording * Chris Classick – recording, engineering {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9)}} * Hector Castro – recording, engineering {{small|(track 8)}}, mixing {{small|(track 8)}} * Prophit – engineering {{small|(tracks 3-5, 11, 13)}} * Ray Charles Brown – engineering {{small|(track 1)}} * Matt Schaeffer – engineering {{small|(Kendrick Lamar on track 3)}} * Bēkon – engineering {{small|(track 8)}} * Scum – engineering {{small|(track 10)}} * Josef Leimberg – engineering {{small|(Isaiah Rashad on track 13)}} * [[Top Dawg Entertainment|Derek "MixedByAli" Ali]] – mixing * [[Mike Bozzi]] – mastering {{col-2}} '''Performance''' * Stix – additional drums {{small|(track 1)}} * [[Pharrell Williams]] – additional vocals {{small|(track 1)}} * [[Marrow (band)|Macie Stewart]] – strings {{small|(track 4)}} * Peter Cottontale – bass {{small|(track 10)}} * Mommy – skit {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 14)}} * Granny – skit {{small|(track 3)}} '''Design''' * [[SZA (singer)|SZA]] – creative direction, visual direction, styling * [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] – creative direction * Sage Adams – visual direction, photography * Vlad Sepetov – graphic design and packaging * Roberto "Ret One" Reyes – graphic design and packaging * Christopher Parsons – photography * Jason Chandler – photography * Dianne Garcia – styling {{col-end}} ==Charts== {{col-start}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017–18) ! 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|Ireland|81|M|url=http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=Irish Albums Chart: 23 February 2018|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 24, 2018}} |- {{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}} |} {{col-2}} ===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref> | 42 |} {{col-end}} ==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=CTRL|artist=SZA|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|accessdate=October 17, 2017}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}} ==See also== * [[List of Billboard number-one R&B/hip-hop albums of 2017|List of ''Billboard'' number-one R&B/hip-hop albums of 2017]] ==References== {{reflist|refs= <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> <ref name="mtv_3019491">{{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> <ref name="genius">{{Cite news |url=https://genius.com/a/the-making-of-sza-s-the-weekend-with-thankgod4cody |title=The Making Of SZA's "The Weekend" With ThankGod4Cody |date=September 29, 2017 |work=Genius}}</ref> <ref name="bbc_42427212">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42427212|title=The top 10 albums of 2017|first=Mark|last=Savage|date=December 22, 2017|publisher=|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> <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> }} ==External links== * {{Discogs master|type=album|1193369}} {{SZA}} [[Category:2017 debut albums]] [[Category:Top Dawg Entertainment albums]] [[Category:SZA albums]] [[Category:RCA Records 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]]'