Ctrl (SZA album)
Ctrl | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 9, 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2014–2017 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 49:01 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
SZA chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Ctrl | ||||
|
Ctrl (pronounced "Control") is the debut
Upon release, Ctrl was a massive critical and commercial success, and catapulted SZA into stardom. The album received acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised its cohesiveness and production, as well as SZA's vocal delivery. The album debuted at number three on the US
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 Terrence "Punch" Henderson, who liked the material and stayed in touch.[3] Two years later, in June 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment announced they were planning to sign two more artists.[4][5] 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 (2014).[6] Following the release of Z, SZA began working on her debut album and writing for other artists including Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, and Anti's opening track "Consideration" for Rihanna, which she featured on. 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 the delays and stated she would be quitting.[7]
SZA revealed that her debut would be similar to S (2013) 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.[8] 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."[9] 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."[9]
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 1940s and 1980s, she would then listen to their style, beats and synths to gain some inspiration.[10] 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."[11]
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, Tyran Donaldson, ThankGod4Cody and other producers would challenge each other and send each other different music to work on. SZA would then listen the music and want to create from that. During the producers' competition of who could create the better song, they collectively created "Broken Clocks". "Drew Barrymore" was conceived at Lang's studio in Chicago in 2016. Lang ended up notching production credits on eight tracks from the album.[12]
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."[13] Initially she tried to record phone notes and write down ideas in journals in order to help her write.[13] 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.[14] She also detailed how her anxiety issues affected her songwriting process: "I 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."[14] 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, "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."[10]
SZA recorded "Drew Barrymore" after hearing a production that reminded her of the film
Composition
Ctrl is primarily an
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.
Release and promotion
SZA premiered "Drew Barrymore" on
On July 5, 2017, SZA announced an official North American headlining concert tour titled
On December 9, 2017, SZA appeared on Saturday Night Live making her the third artist from her label to appear on the program following Lamar and Rock. The performance received critical acclaim for its power and a new verse she added to single "Love Galore" due to the absence of Travis Scott being there to perform his verse.[45]
Singles
On January 13, 2017, SZA released the album's lead single "Drew Barrymore".[46] 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.[47] Commercially, the song did not fare well since it was not released to radio but later earned the certification of Platinum by the RIAA.
On April 28, 2017, SZA released the album's second single "Love Galore", which features American rapper and singer Travis Scott.[48] It was produced by ThankGod4Cody, Carter Lang, Scum and Punch. The music video for the song, directed by Nabil, premiered on April 27, 2017.[49] It was uploaded to SZA's Vevo channel on April 28, 2017.[49] Commercially, the song fared well in North America, charting on Canadian charts and entering the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number thirty, later becoming certified 6× platinum by the RIAA.
On September 26, 2017, "The Weekend" was sent to urban contemporary radio as the album's third single.[50] 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. It has been certified 5× platinum by the 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.[37] As of October 2020, it has been certified 3× platinum by the RIAA.
"Garden (Say It like Dat)" was released as the album's fifth and final single on June 19, 2018, and has been 2× platinum by the RIAA.[51]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Consequence of Sound | B+[56] |
Exclaim! | 9/10[28] |
Financial Times | [57] |
The Irish Times | [58] |
The New Zealand Herald | [59] |
NME | [26] |
The Observer | [60] |
Pitchfork | 8.4/10[22] |
Ctrl received widespread critical acclaim from music critics. At
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."[61] 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".[62] 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."[63]
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."[28] Paste's Nastia Voynovskaya called the album "strikingly relatable" and likened her vocals to that of Amy Winehouse and Billie Holiday.[64] 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.[26]
In July 2022, Rolling Stone ranked Ctrl at number 28 on its list of "100 Best Debut Albums of All Time", claiming that "she came out looking like a hero."[65]
Accolades
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Exclaim! | Top 10 Soul & R&B Albums of 2017 | 1
|
|
New York Daily News | The 25 Best Albums of 2017 | 1
|
|
Noisey
|
The 100 Best Albums of 2017 | 1
|
|
Time | The Top 10 Best Albums of 2017 | 1
|
|
Vice | The 100 Best Albums of 2017 | 1
|
|
Billboard | Billboard 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks | 2
|
|
Dazed | The 20 Best Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
The New York Times (by Jon Caramanica) | The Best Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
NPR | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
The Skinny | The Skinny's Top 50 Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
Uproxx | 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 2
|
|
Complex
|
The Best Albums of 2017 | 3
|
|
Entertainment Weekly | Best Albums of 2017: EW Picks 25 Greatest | 3
|
|
The Irish Times | Ticket Awards 2017; The best music of the year | 3
|
|
Mashable | 10 Favorite Albums of 2017 | 3
|
|
NOW | The Top 10 Best Albums of 2017 | 3
|
|
Rap-Up | Rap-Up's 20 Best Albums of 2017 | 3
|
|
Crack Magazine
|
The Top Albums of 2017 | 4
|
|
FUSE | The 20 Best Albums of 2017 | 4
|
|
The A.V. Club | The A.V. Club's 20 Best Albums of 2017 | 5
|
|
The Independent | The 30 Best Albums of 2017 | 5
|
|
Stereogum | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 5
|
|
USA Today | USA Today's 10 Favourite albums of 2017 | 5
|
|
The New Zealand Herald | The Best Albums of 2017 | 6
|
|
The Sunday Times | The 100 Best Albums of the Year | 6
|
|
Atlantic Monthly
|
The 10 Best Albums of 2017 | 7
|
|
Consequence of Sound
|
The Top 50 Albums of 2017 | 7
|
|
NME | NME's Albums of the Year 2017 | 7
|
|
Time Out | 29 Albums of 2017 You Need to Know | 7
|
|
The New York Times (by Jon Pareles) | The Best Albums of 2017 | 8
|
|
Loud and Quiet | The Loud and Quiet Top 40 Albums of 2017 | 9
|
|
People | 10 Best Albums of 2017 | 10
|
|
The Stranger | The Top 10 Albums of 2017 | 12
|
|
Slant | The 25 Best Albums of 2017 | 15
|
|
Rolling Stone | 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 20
|
|
Paste | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 25
|
|
Q | 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 27
|
|
Gorilla vs. Bear | Gorilla vs Bear Albums of 2017 | 28
|
|
Drowned in Sound | Favourite Albums in 2017 | 42
|
|
Uncut | 75 Best Albums of 2017 | 53
|
|
Resident | The Resident Annual 2017 | 65
|
|
The Quietus | Albums of the Year 2017 | 68
|
SZA received five nominations at the
Commercial performance
Ctrl debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 60,000 album-equivalent units (including 20,000 copies as pure album sales) in its first week.[109] This became SZA's first US top-ten debut.[109] The album also accumulated 49.52 million streams for its songs that week.[109] In its second week, the album dropped to #11 on the charts. In August 2022, the album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over three million units in the United States.[110] As of June 2023, the album has spent 311 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the second longest-charting R&B album by a woman, behind Anti by Rihanna, according to The New York Times.[111]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Supermodel" | 3:28 | ||
9. | "Broken Clocks" |
|
| 3:51 |
10. | "Anything" |
|
| 2:29 |
11. | "Wavy (Interlude)" (featuring James Fauntleroy) |
|
| 1:15 |
12. | "Normal Girl" |
|
| 4:13 |
13. | "Pretty Little Birds" (featuring Isaiah Rashad) |
|
| 4:05 |
14. | "20 Something" |
|
| 3:18 |
Total length: | 49:01 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Love Galore (Alt Version)" |
|
| 4:33 |
16. | "2AM" | ThankGod4Cody | 4:02 | |
17. | "Miles" |
| Scum | 1:09 |
18. | "Percolator" |
|
| 1:24 |
19. | "Tread Carefully" |
| ThankGod4Cody | 3:02 |
20. | "Awkward" |
| Uzowuru | 2:58 |
21. | "Jodie" |
| Tyler, the Creator | 2:45 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer
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 Reggie Noble, John Bowman and Dana Stinson and performed by Redman, and an interpolation from "Turn Me Up Some", written by Trevor Smith and James Yancey and performed by Busta Rhymes.
- "The Weekend" contains elements of "Set the Mood (Prelude)", written by Justin Timberlake, Timothy Mosley and Floyd Hills and performed by Justin Timberlake.
- "Broken Clocks" embodies portions of "West", written by Thomas Paxton-Beesley, Adam Feeney and Ashton Simmonds and performed by 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.
- "2AM" interpolates "Come and See Me" by PartyNextDoor and Drake.
Personnel
Technical
|
Performance
Design
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[147] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[148] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[149] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[150] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[151] Deluxe edition |
3× Platinum | 45,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[152] | Platinum | 300,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[153] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
See also
References
- ^ "Stream SZA's Debut Album Ctrl". Rap-Up.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "SZA Talks 'Z' Album & Being the Only Girl In Top Dawg Entertainment". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
- ^ Paine, Jake (June 3, 2013). "TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Confirms There's a New Artist Joining TDE". Complex. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
- ^ "Presenting TDE's New Songstress. Listen To SZA's New Song, "Teen Spirit"". TheSource. August 14, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
- ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (July 29, 2017). "SZA: 'The record company took my hard drive from me'". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's Storytelling On New Album Is "On A Grander Scale," SZA Says". HipHopDX. September 11, 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ a b "SZA Talks 'Ctrl' Concept, TDE Support on 'The Breakfast Club'".
- ^ a b c "SZA: How the Breakout R&B Star Conquered Self-Doubt and Took 'Ctrl'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "SZA Refuses to Get Played on 'Love Galore' Featuring Travis Scott". Billboard.
- ^ "Carter Lang Talks Crafting 'CTRL' With SZA, Working With Vic Mensa & Why Chicago Keeps Winning". billboard.com. January 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "SZA Talks Ctrl, Getting Corrected By Travis Scott, And The Psychology Of Nostalgia". MTV.
- ^ a b "SZA: Record Company "Took My Hard Drive From Me"". HNHH. July 30, 2017.
- ^ a b "The Making Of SZA's "The Weekend" With ThankGod4Cody". Genius. September 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Fekadu, Mesfin (December 20, 2017). "Outtakes: SZA on writing for Beyonce and sampling Timberlake". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (July 29, 2017). "SZA: 'The record company took my hard drive from me'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Chow, Kat (November 13, 2017). "Taking 'Ctrl': Why SZA's New Album Means So Much". NPR. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Paste Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Rindner, Grant (July 20, 2017). "SZA: CTRL". PopMatters. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ Exclaim. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Lobenfeld, Claire (June 13, 2017). "SZA: CTRL". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
- ^ Rob, Huskell (June 16, 2017). "How SZA Gained Control By Losing It – and Made the Debut Album of the Year". Vogue. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Savage, Mark (December 22, 2017). "The top 10 albums of 2017". BBC News.
- ^ "SZA "Love Galore" Official Lyrics & Meaning - Verified". YouTube. June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ a b c Milton, Jamie (June 15, 2017). "SZA – 'CTRL' Review". NME. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ "On 'Ctrl,' SZA Reveals Who She Really Is". Complex. June 13, 2017.
- ^ a b c Patrick, Ryan B. (June 13, 2017). "SZA: CTRL". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Comes Into Her Power On Ctrl". mtv.com.
- ^ Jon Pareles (June 7, 2017). "SZA's Songs Face Desire in All Its Complications". New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ Joshua Espinoza (June 2, 2017). "Listen to SZA's Latest Single, "Broken Clocks"". Complex. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Announces 'CTRL' Album, Drops 'Drew Barrymore' Single". Rap-Up. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ Cinnsealach, Somhairle (April 28, 2017). "SZA Signs To RCA Records". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Announces Deal With RCA". Hot New Hiphop. April 28, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ "RZA Helps SZA Announce CTRL Album Release Date – Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. May 25, 2017.
- ^ "Listen to SZA's Latest Single, "Broken Clocks"". Complex.
- ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases". Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.
- ^ Craighead, Olivia (June 8, 2017). "Listen To SZA's "Doves In The Wind" Featuring Kendrick Lamar". The Fader. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Helman, Peter (June 8, 2017). "SZA – "Doves In The Wind" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)". Stereogum. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Announces Tour". Pitchfork. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ "Bryson Tiller Announces European Tour With SZA". June 24, 2017.
- ^ "SZA's CTRL Tour Postponed Due to 'Unforeseen Circumstances'". Billboard.
- ^ SZA. "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 …".
- ^ "Watch SZA Get the Last Laugh in 'Supermodel' Video". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Watch SZA Perform "The Weekend" and "Love Galore" on "SNL"". Pitchfork. December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Drew Barrymore – Single by SZA on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com.
- ^ "Love Galore (feat. Travis Scott) – Single by SZA on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ a b "SZA Shares A New Video For "Love Galore," Featuring Travis Scott". The Fader. April 27, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on June 10, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Ctrl by SZA reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Reviews and Tracks for CTRL by SZA". Metacritic. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Ctrl – SZA". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ Purdom, Clayton (June 16, 2017). "Thank god SZA finally released Ctrl". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (December 29, 2017). "SZA: Ctrl — 'mellow beats and jazzy textures'". Financial Times. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
- ^ Carroll, Jim (June 28, 2017). "SZA – Ctrl album review: Striking debut release from R&B star". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Yates, Siena (June 15, 2017). "Album review: SZA, CTRL". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Joshi, Tara (June 11, 2017). "SZA: Control review – dreamy and delicious insights into vulnerability". The Observer. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (June 7, 2017). "SZA's Songs Face Desire In All Its Complications". The New York Times. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ McKinney, Jessica (June 12, 2017). "Phenomenal Woman: The Vulnerability, Self-Awareness & Freedom Of SZA's 'Ctrl'". Vibe. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ "What to listen to now: SZA, Bleachers, Secret Sisters and more". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ Voynovskaya, Nastia (June 13, 2017). "SZA: CTRL Review". Paste. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ Shachtman, Noah; Browne, David; Dolan, Jon; Freeman, Jon; Hermes, Will; Hoard, Christian; Lopez, Julyssa; Reeves, Mosi; Rosen, Jody; Sheffield, Rob (July 1, 2022). "100 Best Debut Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Yasmine Shemesh (November 30, 2017). "Top 10 Soul and R&B Albums of 2017". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ Amy Rowe and Spencer Dukoff (November 30, 2017). "The 25 best albums of 2017". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- Noisey. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Raisa Bruner (December 4, 2017). "The Top 10 Albums of 2017". Time. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2017". Vice. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ "The 20 best albums of 2017 | Dazed". Dazed. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ Jon Caramanica and Jon Pareles (December 6, 2017). "The Best Albums of 2017". The New York Times. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2017: NPR". NPR. December 12, 2017.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2017". Pitchfork. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ "The Skinny's Top 50 Albums of 2017". The Skinny. November 29, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "50 Best Albums Of 2017, Ranked". Uproxx. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- Complex. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Best Albums of 2017: EW Picks 25 Greatest". Entertainment Weekly. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Louise Bruton (December 2, 2017). "Ticket Awards 2017: The best music of the year". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Our 10 favorite albums of 2017". Mashable. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (December 12, 2017). "The 10 best albums of 2017". NOW. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "Rap-Up's 20 Best Albums of 2017". Rap-Up. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- Crack Magazine. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (December 8, 2017). "The Best 20 Albums of 2017". Fuse. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "The A.V. Club's 20 best albums of 2017". The A.V. Club. December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Roisin O'Connor (November 27, 2017). "The 30 best albums of 2017". The Independent. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (December 5, 2017). "The 50 Best Albums of 2017". Stereogum. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ Maeve McDermott and Patrick Ryan (December 4, 2017). "USA TODAY's 10 favourite albums of 2017". USA Today. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (December 14, 2017). "Aldous Harding, Lorde and Kendrick Lamar: Here are the best albums of 2017". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the Year". The Sunday Times Magazine. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- The Atlantic. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- Consequence of Sound. Archived from the originalon December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ "NME's Albums of The Year 2017". NME. November 23, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ "29 Best Albums of 2017 You Need to Know". Time Out. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ Jon Caramanica and Jon Pareles (December 6, 2017). "The Best Albums of 2017". The New York Times. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "The Loud and Quiet top 40 albums of 2017". Loud and Quiet. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Nelson, Jeff (December 8, 2017). "PEOPLE Picks the 10 Best Albums of 2017". People. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ Staff (November 22, 2017). "Top 10 Albums of 2017, Local and National". The Stranger. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (December 6, 2017). "The 25 Best Albums of 2017". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Staff (November 27, 2017). "50 Best Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ Staff (November 27, 2017). "The 50 Best Albums of 2017". Paste. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Q Magazine's 50 Best Albums of 2017". Q Magazine. Album of the Year. November 21, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Chris (December 3, 2017). "Gorilla vs. Bear's Albums of 2017". Gorilla vs. Bear. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Sam Adams (December 3, 2017). "Drowned in Sound's Favourite Albums of 2017". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Uncut's 75 Best Albums of 2017". Uncut. November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "The Resident Annual 2017". Resident. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Quietus Albums Of The Year 2017, In Association With Norman Records". The Quietus. December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c Caulfield, Keith (June 18, 2017). "Katy Perry Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Witness'". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Urban Albums Chart – Week Commencing 19th June 2017" (PDF). ARIA Charts (1425): 19. June 19, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – SZA – Ctrl" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – SZA – Ctrl" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – SZA – Ctrl". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "Charts.nz – SZA – Ctrl". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – SZA – Ctrl". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – SZA – Ctrl". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- ^ "SZA Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Urban Albums 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2022". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 2023". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2023". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Decade-End". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian album certifications – SZA – Ctrl" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – SZA – Ctrl". Music Canada. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – SZA – Ctrl". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – SZA – Ctrl: Deluxe". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "British album certifications – SZA – Ctrl". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "American album certifications – SZA – Ctrl". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 5, 2020.