S is the second extended play by American singer SZA; it was self-released on April 10, 2013. After meeting members of independent labelTop Dawg and releasing her debut EP See.SZA.Run, SZA began working on S, beginning recording in May 2013. SZA worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Zodiac, Patrick Lukens, Brandun DeShay, WNDRBRD, Waren Vaughn and Felix Snow. S is characterized as an alt-R&B album with production that "twists and mutates." Upon release S was met with critical acclaim from music critics, who commended the extended play's musical themes and direction. SZA promoted the extended play with the release of a music video for the song "Ice Moon"; the video was directed by Lemar & Dauley.
Background
SZA first met members of Top Dawg Entertainment during the CMJ Music Marathon in 2011, when her boyfriend's clothing company sponsored a show in which Kendrick Lamar was performing. A friend attending the show with her presented early SZA songs to TDE president Terrence "Punch" Henderson, who enjoyed the material and stayed in touch. On October 29, 2012, SZA released her debut self-released extended play entitled See.SZA.Run, which featured production from Brandun DeShay, APSuperProducer, among others. In June 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment stated plans to sign two more artists, announcing on July 14 that SZA had been signed to the label.
Recording
In May 2013, SZA revealed that she had been working with producers Holy Other and Emile Haynie, the latter of whom had previously worked with Lana Del Rey and Kid Cudi. SZA met Holy Other through mutual friends. After being in the same area as one another and working in the same studio, the pair began working together. SZA met producer Felix Snow via a mutual friend and they later began "hanging out", SZA described Felix as being "completely not the textbook producer" continuing to expand on working with Felix SZA said;
If you've ever seen him he wears sunglasses inside all day and sandals all year round. He's basically always in yacht mode. He has a Tamagachi and a Giga Pet, so he's a character-and-a-half. But we're like family. I went to his house in Connecticut and played with his menagerie of animals and met his parents and ate soup.
Critical reception
Adam Kevil of Consequence of Sound gave a positive review of the EP. Praising the album's musical direction, Kevil called the work sincere and "cool", continuing on to note how SZA's courage proves "she's equally as aware of her strengths as she is the potential for constant maturation and growth".
