SZA marks the fifth anniversary of her debut album, Ctrl, with a surprise deluxe edition release.
Ctrl (Deluxe) includes seven previously unheard songs, including an alternate version of her 5x platinum smash “Love Galore” and the spotlight track “Tread Carefully.” The bonus tracks were recorded while she was working on the album.
She tweeted, “This is JUST a gift for camp ctrl . Nothing more nothing less . if u family you get it . 5 yrs is a long time . Thank you for changing my life I love you . Happy anniversary 🤍 #HAPPYCTRLANNIVERSARY.”
This is JUST a gift for camp ctrl . Nothing more nothing less . if u family you get it . 5 yrs is a long time . Thank you for changing my life I love you . Happy anniversary 🤍 #HAPPYCTRLANNIVERSARY
— SZA (@sza) June 9, 2022
Produced by ThankGod4Cody, “Tread Carefully” hears SZA trying to work on self-improvement but finds herself giving in to temptation with a mysterious person.
“You wonderin’ why I (Why I) / Don’t come around like I used to / Play around like I used to / It’s not you, it’s me, I got a / A different set of urgencies now / Scared of watchin’ my life go down the drain / Can’t let it be you in my way, so I,” she sings in the first verse.
Ctrl debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums list and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart on June 9, 2017.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) declared it gold four months after its debut when it sold more than 500,000 equivalent units. The Grammy-nominated album was certified 2x multi-platinum in July 2020, with more than two million copies sold.
In an interview on Everyday Struggle, SZA explained the meaning behind the album’s title. “It’s about analog and being at a time where we were brought information more slowly,” SZA said. “Control is a concept. You think about getting away from analog, control is an illusion, you try and force it.”
SZA, who won her first Grammy at the 64th ceremony, confirmed that her sophomore album is on the way. “[It’s coming] very much soon,” SZA teased on Grammy night. “I just actually finished it up recently in Hawaii.” She added, “It’s probably my most unisex project yet — if that makes sense. It’s definitely for everybody in a different way.”