Andrew Veeder on April 9th, 2014

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Twenty-four-year-old singer SZA originally intended to release “Z” as a follow-up EP to the “S” EP of October 2013, but after the increase of exposure since then, “Z” comes to us as a debut full-length album via Top Dawg Entertainment. It features production from DJ Dahi, Emile Hayne, Felix Snow and Toro Y Moi, and should tip her even more into the mainstream. “Babylon” begins with an aching, layered vocal sample, evolving further with a muffled atmosphere and beat swelling into a purple low end, punctuated with rat-tat-tat drum stutters. Her soulful bridge “Was it worth it? / Would you do it again? / Aren’t you tired / of always making amends?” captivates and hooks you, and Kendrick Lamar’s guest verse continues to intrigue as he jumps all over the beat with lines like, “Cross my heart then I hope to die with a peace of mind / Piece together my brain soon as this beat rewind / Nitrogen and propane, I spike your drink at times / I make it hard to swallow this game, you throw up every line.” On “Child’s Play,” SZA and Chance the Rapper trade off verses over a discreet XXYYXX beat, minimalist but sensual, as she makes the line, “Ripping the heads off all my Barbie dolls / Toss them to the side, give them convertibles,” sound ever so sultry in its slow, hushed delivery. Front to back, “Z” is an excellent listen, engaging and moody and soulful.

||| Stream: “Babylon” feat. Kendrick Lamar, and “Child’s Play” feat. Chance the Rapper

||| Previously: “Julia” and “Teen Spirit”