Five years ago today, SZA released her debut studio album Ctrl, a critically-acclaimed effort that would make her the most recognizable, highest-selling artist in the Top Dawg Entertainment camp outside of the outgoing Kendrick Lamar. Now, she's marked the anniversary milestone with an expanded deluxe edition.
Ctrl (Deluxe), which you can hear in the players below, features seven previously unreleased tracks alongside the 14 of the original release, including an alternative version of the album's second single, "Love Galore," sans Travis Scott.
On Twitter, SZA clarified that all seven new additions were recorded before the album's release, between 2014 and 2017. She also hinted that there may be more to come from the sessions, writing, "What isn't on deluxe maybe on SoundCloud as well tomorrow? Deciding. Spring cleaning old thoughts."
Ctrl (Deluxe), which you can hear in the players below, features seven previously unreleased tracks alongside the 14 of the original release, including an alternative version of the album's second single, "Love Galore," sans Travis Scott.
On Twitter, SZA clarified that all seven new additions were recorded before the album's release, between 2014 and 2017. She also hinted that there may be more to come from the sessions, writing, "What isn't on deluxe maybe on SoundCloud as well tomorrow? Deciding. Spring cleaning old thoughts."
In a 9/10 review of Ctrl, Exclaim!'s Ryan B. Patrick called the album "14 delicious portions of a wholly realized vibe, with bespoke lyrics marked by universality and hip-hop-influenced production that unfolds along notes of straight-up soul and sparkling pop," concluding that the LP "is craft in action, a uniquely excellent album from a uniquely excellent artist."
Ctrl — which also featured collaborations with James Fauntleroy and SZA's TDE labelmates Lamar and Isaiah Rashad — also topped Exclaim!'s list of the Best Soul and R&B Albums of 2017. The album would go on to achieve platinum certification in the US twice over, with 2 million certified units sold.
SZA's recent solo outings include singles "Good Days" and "I Hate U," and in 2019, she shared that a follow-up to Ctrl was in the works.
Ctrl — which also featured collaborations with James Fauntleroy and SZA's TDE labelmates Lamar and Isaiah Rashad — also topped Exclaim!'s list of the Best Soul and R&B Albums of 2017. The album would go on to achieve platinum certification in the US twice over, with 2 million certified units sold.
SZA's recent solo outings include singles "Good Days" and "I Hate U," and in 2019, she shared that a follow-up to Ctrl was in the works.