Rather than serving as a complete song, “SOS” is an introduction to the album’s themes as a whole. This is also the first time in SZA’s discography where we see a titular track. This draws an immediate parallel to the “CTRL era.”

SZA uses this track to reintroduce herself to the population; seeing as it had been five years since her critically acclaimed album CTRL, touching on how she has a new sense of self.

The song begins and ends with SZA “crying,” presumably as those in need of assistance cry for help – or “SOS”.