Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	66/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Consequence of Sound	B-
Exclaim!	8/10
HipHopDX
Pitchfork Media	5.9/10
Spin	6/10

Z is the debut extended play (EP) by American singer and songwriter SZA. It was released on April 8, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment. After amassing two self-released mixtapes, See.SZA.Run and S, as well as meeting with members of Top Dawg Entertainment, she subsequently signed a recording contract with the indie label. The recording of the EP took place in Carson, California during the summer of 2013 with the help of her Top Dawg labelmate Isaiah Rashad, among others.

A PBR&B and neo soul album, Z has a diverse musical style that incorporates contemporary urban genres such as soul, hip hop, and minimalist R&B, as well as 1980s synthpop elements. Its production is characterized by layers of sliced, delayed, and reversed vocals, which are synthetic and fluid. Its lyrics explore the complexities of romantic relationships, sexuality, nostalgia, and abandonment. The album was written by SZA herself, with production handled by Mac Miller, Emile Haynie and others.

Upon release Z received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production and musical style. Critics also praised the EP's lyrical content and SZA's vocals, as well as comparing the EP to the work of singer and songwriter Lorde. Z debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number thirty-nine, selling 6,980 copies in its opening week. The EP also peaked at number nine on the US Hip-Hop/R&B chart.To date, the EP has sold over 12,600 copies in the US.

SZA first met members of Top Dawg Entertainment during the CMJ 2011, when her boyfriend's clothing company sponsored a show in which Kendrick Lamar was performing. 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. On October 29, 2012, SZA released her debut self-released extended play entitled See.SZA.Run, which featured production from brandUn DeShay and APSuperProducer, amongst others. In June 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment announced they were planning to sign two more artists. On July 14, it was revealed Top Dawg had signed an upcoming female singer named SZA to the label. SZA's intention was to release another EP, however she felt she owed "people more", leading her to release the full-length album.

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