SZA’s SOS Tour stop at American Airlines Center felt like a tender hug for all of her fans. During her first ever arena tour, the genre defying star sent us along emotional currents of sadness, introspection, and candor.
SZA (Solana Imani Rowe) was recently dubbed Billboard’s Woman of the Year. Coasting along at the top stop Billboard Charts for a total of 10 weeks, her sophomore album, SOS, has been a huge success. Similar to the release of her beloved ballad, “Good Days” in 2020, the singer took a chance by releasing her second studio album during the holidays. SZA certainly has a way with timing, as the album defied all odds and became a smash hit. The record sways from saucy rap bars, to sorrowful, anguish filled musings, to uplifting glimmers of hope – a whirlwind of emotions all to familiar to SZA’s repertoire, to which her fans heavily empathize. The difference, is the notable amount of growth from its predecessor, CTRL. However, SZA’s vulnerability remains as relatable as ever. Such was evidenced during the entirety of her performance – fans were right there with her, ebbing and flowing into the abyssal waters. With such captivating allure, the seaside-themed spectacle was an enigmatic performance they’ll likely never forget.
The beauty of the SOS tour, is how immersive and accessible it is for each and every attendee. No part of the stage is unused. There’s screens on the sides of screens, extra stages on the main stage. No matter where you sit in the room, you’re given a unique experience. Even after evolving from the small confines of packed showrooms, to the vast magnitude of stadiums, it all still manages to remain so intimate, as if she’s speaking right to you.
The set is a well curated mixture of her newest and most notable hits, as well as some cherished fan-favorites. The evening kicks off with “PSA,” and screens rise to reveal a peaceful SZA perched atop a large diving board, modeled after the SOS album cover.
“You should go cry about it,” the singer croons before the screens fell back into place and the first number winds down. Blue oceanic ripples surrounded a projected image of her silhouette, and the animation threw her mic into the water, followed by her “diving” in close behind. She then emerged on stage setting with a rusty sailboat at seaside pier, and began a fluidly choreographed number to, “Seek & Destroy” with palpable confidence and ease. Adorned in a blue jersey and fiery ginger hair, she commanded the stage with her diverse crew of dancers as the crowd rejoiced.
From there, SZA led the crowd through a bubbly crusade. Kicking off with more fun dance numbers entered “Notice Me,” and a crowd favorite “Love Galore,” during both of which the singer kept the energy high.
A notable sequence was the transitionary flow of “Smoking On My Ex Pack.” Cleverly ensuring that the show never lost momentum during an outfit change, she never truly left the sight of the audience. As her glam and makeup team are filmed prepping her for the next act, you’re able to be a fly on the wall during the process, encouraging an inviting and personal moment for the crowd goers. She gave direct eye contact to the camera as she prepped, smiling and emotive. This segment, filmed in black and white, offered a bold and memorable contrast that seamlessly tied in to the performance.
A highlight was “Drew Barrymore,” which she performed passionately while sitting on the ground as the crowd sang in unison. During “Doves In The Wind,” the screens reflected imagery of blustering gusts swirling about in the background. Sea swells and crashing waves were seen as the singer and her crew swayed back and forth. The sea suddenly became more ominous as “Low” began. Lightening and green storm clouds “plagued” the shipwrecked sailors as fans danced wildly.
After the tumult, the boat appears to crash. Thus ensued Act III, which was a personal favorite.
SZA was soon “recused” on an orange life raft, that rose into the air from the stage out over the crowd. In a fluffy white gown, the star threw handfuls of white rose petals down below as she made her ascension, smiling and waving to fans. Bright blue beams of light were aimed just below the bottom of the raft, as though she were truly floating along ocean waves. A large lighthouse in the back of the arena began to radiate light across the room – a beacon for those lost at sea – as SZA drifted towards it. Softly, she began, “Super Model” and “Special” engulfed in a sea of bright camera phone lights, reminiscent of a starry night sky.
“Well, I dated this guy for like, a little bit over a decade, about 11 years. We almost got married. It didn’t work out and it ruined my [expletive] life. Then I wrote this song!” SZA giggled before singing, “Nobody Gets Me,” heralded for its poignant lyrics, beautiful melody and difficult subject matter. The underscoring theme: despite the conscious decision to end a relationship, the aftermath is still difficult to navigate. In the simplicity of the chorus, the singer manages tp prompt so many painful questions: What do you do once you’ve lost the person who knows you better than anyone else? How do you pick up the pieces of a broken dream, and continue on? Can we ever truly let go of the past?
The next tune was again a personal favorite from SOS. As SZA begins to drift back to stage, she croons, “Gone Girl,” a track that seems to galvanize the arrival of her current self in place of her previous self. It could also be interpreted as her relaying her grievances to a lover, and her desire for freedom, space, and security. Both indicate that the singer is changing internally, and coming to terms with that. “Trying to find deeper meaning in nonsense / Trying to grow without hating the process,” are somber acknowledgements, echoing that candid self-reflection and awareness that we adore from SZA.
“Kill Bill” and “I Hate U” were two favorites that were met with full participation. During “The Weekend” the crowd surprisingly began singing well before the number even began.
During the final act, everything is brought full circle with SZA perched atop a board for “Good Days.” This time, however, she is in the sky, in a gorgeous, full-length purple gown. After having survived the tumultuous depths of the ocean, we arrive at calmer waters. We collectively experienced the abyssal, isolated, brutality of the darkness. Now that the turmoil has subsided, SZA is nestled up high, with a beautiful sunlit sky providing her backdrop. Scintillating stars and luminous clouds supplant the dark tides, rewarding our hero’s journey. One couldn’t help but feel as if they were floating along on a cloud at the night’s end. In a way only SZA could manage, the intrigue and sheer thoughtfulness of the SOS Tour is truly a testament to the special, genius of an artist she is.
