Live Review: SZA 'Sobriety'

It's crazy to think that just four years ago, SZA, aka Solana Rowe, wasn't even making music. Since then, she's discovered her natural, soulful chops, been signed to Kendrick Lamar's label, 'Top Dawg Entertainment' and dropped her critically acclaimed debut record 'Z'.

On latest  track 'Sobriety', SZA doesn't sound like a newcomer to the biz, rather an established vocalist that's been honing her craft for years.

SZA is a difficult artist to pinpoint. She's been camped in with Frank Ocean and The Weeknd as apart of the Alternative R'n'B scene or 'PBR&B' as its called, but its a label that's doesn't exactly fit. Her music encompasses such a wide variety sounds and influences, ranging from Lauryn Hill to Bjork, that it seems derivative and wrong to classify her music in such a niche genre. 'Sobriety' reflect that, with the tune jumping from chill-wave, hip hop, funk and pop balladry in the song's 3 minute duration.

The slow burner of a track is helped along with stellar production duties from the likes of  Chris Calor, Cody, Thundercat, LoveDragon, Sounwave & Ifan Dafydd, who's use of sparse, soft beats and shimmering synths help to amplify SZA's famous funky vocals.

In Sobriety, SZA's tackles breakup territory, lyricising about her difficulty to remain calm and sober in light of a relationship ending. But not one to cave in to cliches, to song includes passages about aliens, decapitation and some gut wrenching truisms like "What would my mother say? She want me to be married/ And happy and whole not high and alone" - providing that her musical capabilities lie beyond her vocal chords. 

'Sobriety' proves that 'Z' wasn't just a fluke and that SZA's the real deal - a genre defying, talented musician that won't be fading into obscurity anytime soon.

Words by Isabella Trimboli

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