SZA Reveals the Powerful Rock Influences Behind ‘F2F’
In an interview with Alternative Press, SZA discussed her childhood rock influences for “F2F” on her recent album SOS.
“F2F” gives off Fefe Dobson vibes, but that’s not the only inspiration behind it. SZA grew up listening to Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte, Blink-182, Paramore, Green Day, and Nickelback.
In addition, her album cover art for SOS references her “emo” side with her looking into the great abyss. The inspiration for the image comes from a photo of Princess Diana, sitting on the edge of a diving board staring off into the sea.
“I was hella moved by that in elementary and middle school,” SZA explains in the interview, “It made me feel so many things. I was like, ‘I don’t know why I’m in my room with the lights off crying, but that’s how I’m gonna spend my day.'”
Some fans considered “F2F” a stark departure from the rest of the album due to its alternative rock vibe. However, SZA also experiments with many genres of music outside of R&B.
SZA explained, “I definitely felt like half of the people being like, ‘I wish this was R&B, and it’s not, and I hate it.'” But she doesn’t care. “F2F” exercises her ability to show people a normally hidden side of herself.
I told y’all she’s not R&B .. that’s why her music connects with everyone .. she’s very alternative https://t.co/kizwGP55im
— CHANEL OBERLIN 👛 (@BARDIBAILEY) February 28, 2023
SOS showcases her wide range of musical experimentation. She brings in Travis Scott for “Open Arms” and Don Toliver for “Used,” which both lean more on the hip-hop side. Phoebe Bridgers being featured in “Ghost in the Machine” adds indie elements to the track, expanding SZA’s range. Songs such as “Good Days” and “Snooze” showcase SZA’s vibrant classic R&B vocals.
Regardless of the opinions about the genres explored in SOS, the album just hit its tenth week as the number one album on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. SOS is so successful that SZA is working on a deluxe version with 10 additional tracks.
SZA is currently traveling on a sold-out national tour with Omar Apollo for her new album. Her success with SOS is bound to only go up from here.
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