Hit Different

"Hit Different" is a single by American recording artist SZA. It is expected to serve as the lead single to her upcoming second studio album. The song features guest vocals from American singer Ty Dolla Sign. Both singers co-wrote the song with Rob Bisel along with its producers, The Neptunes. The song was recorded at the home of American record producer DJ Khaled and released through Top Dawg Entertainment on September 4, 2020, days after SZA posted on social media suggesting that the record label had been intentionally pushing back the release date of her music. It is a contemporary R&B torch song about a dysfunctional but tempting relationship.

"Hit Different"
Single by SZA featuring Ty Dolla Sign
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2020 (2020-09-04)
RecordedFebruary 2020
StudioDJ Khaled's house
GenreR&B
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Neptunes
SZA singles chronology
"The Other Side"
(2020)		 "Hit Different"
(2020)		 "Good Days"
(2020)
Ty Dolla Sign singles chronology
"Expensive"
(2020)		 "Hit Different"
(2020)		 "Oops (I'm Sorry)"
(2020)

Upon release "Hit Different" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics; who commended the song's nostalgic musical structure, and SZA's writing. "Hit Different" was included on several publications' year-end lists of the best songs of the year, including NPR and Consequence of Sound. Commercially the song fared well, peaking at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100, giving SZA her highest debut on the chart, and made appearances on Australian and UK charts. The accompanying music video, directed by SZA, shows the singer dancing in various settings, before ending with a snippet of successor single "Good Days".

Background and composition

"Hit Different" saw SZA's first release as the sole lead artist since her 2017 album Ctrl. The song came less than a month after SZA claimed in a series of tweets that Top Dawg Entertainment head Punch had been purposely delaying the release of her new music, calling their relationship "hostile" and spawning the "#FreeSZA" hashtag on Twitter.[1][2][3] In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, she revealed that she had recorded the song at DJ Khaled's house while he was performing at the Super Bowl LIV preshow.[4] Speaking in the same interview about the song, she said, "I just wanted to give people something just to vibe because I have so much stuff that I’m just done holding onto."[5] She also expressed that she was hesitant to release the single, telling Lowe, "I was crying with [my] mom because I haven’t dropped anything in so long and I just feel like the anxiety...Sometimes I’m strong enough to just drop something and then two weeks passes, and then I’m not strong anymore."[6]

"Hit Different" is a contemporary R&B[7] song. It begins with Pharrell's trademark "four-count" and features a chorus sung by Ty Dolla Sign.[8] SZA's voice on the song has been described as "silky"[2] and "dreamy",[4] while Ty's voice has been described as a "coo".[9] Lyrically, "Hit Different" is a torch song[10] which details a dysfunctional relationship with an emotionally distant partner to whom she keeps returning.[11] Her worries about this person are emphasized in the lyrics: "Can't trust decision when you near me/Get myself caught in your crossfire".[7]

Release and reception

The single received little promotion prior to its release other than a screenshot from the song's music video posted to SZA's Twitter and Instagram featuring SZA covered in fake blood with the caption "Midnight EST" less than 90 minutes before it was released.[12][13][14] Following the song's release, SZA posted a snippet of another unreleased song to her Instagram, captioning the video, "Punch gon kill me but I'm in a sharing mood".[7]

Writing for Vulture, Craig Jenkins called "Hit Different" "fresh and fuss-free", writing, "'Hit Different' is both cogent mainstream music and slyly referential art."[11] NPR's Lars Gotrich reacted positively to the song, writing, "With nostalgic production by The Neptunes, ["Hit Different"] hits that tender spot that made SZA's 2017 debut, Ctrl, hit so hard."[15] Multiple critics noted her "signature cool" on the track.[16][17] In its opening week, Hit Different garnered 13.3 million streams and 6,000 digital downloads in the US, debuting at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 (marking SZA's highest debut on the chart and her first song to debut in the top-40) and at number three on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.[18][19]

Accolades

"Hit Different" was included on several publications' year-end lists of the best songs of the year, including NPR at number 20 and Consequence of Sound at number 22.[20][21]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by SZA, making it her directorial debut,[8] and released alongside the single itself.[22] It depicts SZA dancing in a number of different settings and outfits, including in a junkyard surrounded by backup dancers wearing "Aaliyah-inspired" neon orange crop tops and baggy pants; in a barn filled with white animals; in an empty field; on top of a haystack wearing an oversized tie-dye shirt; in a parking garage wearing an Ottolinger bra and shirt with a Renaissance art-inspired pattern; and in the back of a pickup trick.[23] Throughout the video, flashes of her covered in blood appear.[10] Towards the second half of the video, the song changes to a different song titled "Good Days",[24] an "ambient chill"[15] ballad[25] made alongside Jacob Collier, while the video shows SZA sitting on top of a pommel horse sporting a bikini and wooden beaded braids.[16][2]

Joshua Espinoza of Complex stated, "Though it may sound a little random, the video is striking and pairs perfectly with the smooth, laid back record."[26] Erica Gonzales of Harper's Bazaar remarked that SZA exuded "her cool girl swagger" in the video, calling the sets "visually stunning".[13] Spin's Brenton Blanchet called the video's choreography "expert-level".[8] Writing for The Fader, Shaad D'Souza called the video "gorgeous".[27] Craig Jenkins of Vulture said, "The visual callbacks are vast and smart," comparing the scenes in the music video to a number of different films, including Sympathy for the Devil, Beloved, and When I Get Home, and comparing her beaded braids to those of singer Patrice Rushen.[11] Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times called the video "stylish" and "striking".[17] MTV's Patrick Hosken called the video "remarkably visionary", adding, "By the end, both the tune and the visuals move on to another element that just may tie in both worlds of ruined metal and organic nature."[7] Shannon J. Effinger of Pitchfork compared the music video to that of "Rock the Boat" by Aaliyah.[10]

Upon release, singer Drake showed praise towards the visual, posting a screenshot on his Instagram story and writing, "Solana is the chefs [sic] kiss".[28]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[29]

  • Solána Rowe – vocals, songwriting
  • Tyrone Griffin, Jr. – vocals, songwriting
  • The Neptunes – production, songwriting
  • Rob Bisel – miscellaneous production, recording, songwriting
  • Ben "Bengineer" Sedano – assistant engineering
  • Curtis "Sircut" Bye – assistant engineering
  • Jonathan Pfarr – assistant engineering
  • Nick Valentin – assistant engineering
  • Nicolas De Porcel – mastering
  • Derek "MixedByAli" Ali – mixing
  • Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit – recording
  • Mike Larson – recording

Charts
Chart (2020–2021) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 84
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 55
Global 200 (Billboard)[32] 36
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[33] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[34] 55
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[36] 12
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[37] 27
US Rolling Stone Top 100[38] 10

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 4, 2020
[29]
United States October 20, 2020 Urban adult contemporary [39]

References
  1. Murphy, Chris (September 4, 2020). "Against All Odds SZA Is Back, Drops 'Hit Different' Featuring Ty Dolla $ign". Vulture. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  2. Legaspi, Althea (September 4, 2020). "See SZA, Ty Dolla $ign Contemplate a Relationship That 'Hit Different' in New Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. Minsker, Evan (September 4, 2020). "SZA Shares Video for New Song "Hit Different" With Ty Dolla $ign". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. Wood, Mikael (4 September 2020). "Watch the video for the looong-awaited new SZA track, 'Hit Different'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  5. Rettig, James (4 September 2020). "SZA - "Hit Different" (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)". Stereogum. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  6. "SZA Gives A Status Update On New Music After Returning With 'Hit Different'". BET. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  7. Hosken, Patrick (September 4, 2020). "SZA, Ty Dolla $ign, And The Neptunes All 'Hit Different' On Vibey New Single". MTV News. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. Blanchet, Brenton (September 4, 2020). "SZA Drops Neptunes-Produced Single 'Hit Different' With Ty Dolla $ign". Spin. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. Penrose, Nerisha (September 4, 2020). "SZA Returns to Save 2020 With New Song 'Hits Different' Featuring Ty Dolla $ign". ELLE. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  10. Effinger, Shannon J. (September 8, 2020). "SZA Explores Love Gone Wrong on "Hit Different"". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  11. Jenkins, Craig (September 4, 2020). "SZA Knows How to Make an R&B Jam Hit Different". Vulture. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  12. Newstead, Al (4 September 2020). "First Spin: SZA makes surprise return with new song/video 'Hit Different'". triple j. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  13. Gonzales, Erica (September 4, 2020). "SZA Officially Returns with a New Song and Gorgeous Music Video". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  14. Yang, Rachel (September 4, 2020). "SZA releases new song 'Hit Different,' featuring Ty Dolla $ign". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  15. Gotrich, Lars (September 4, 2020). "It's SZA SZN: The R&B Star Returns With 'Hit Different,' Featuring Ty Dolla $ign". NPR. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  16. Boone, Keyaira (September 4, 2020). "Watch SZA Step Into The Director's Chair For 'Hit Different'". Essence. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay; Russonello, Giovanni (September 4, 2020). "SZA's Surprise Return, and 10 More New Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  18. Zellner, Xander (September 16, 2020). "The Neptunes Rule R&B Producers Chart, Thanks to SZA, Monica & Lil Baby". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  19. "SZA's 'Hit Different' Delivers Her Highest Hot 100 Debut Yet - That Grape Juice". That Grape Juice. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  20. "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". NPR.
  21. "Top 50 Songs of 2020". Consequence of Sound. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  22. Langford, Jackson (September 4, 2020). "SZA makes her grand return with new single 'Hit Different'". NME. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  23. Hess, Liam (September 4, 2020). "SZA's 'Hit Different' Video Is a Kaleidoscopic Ode to End-of-Summer Style". Vogue. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  24. Hsu, Carrie (September 24, 2020). "Music Video Breakdown: 'Hit Different'". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  25. Okon, Wongo (September 4, 2020). "SZA And Ty Dolla Sign's 'Hit Different' Marks Her Return To Music". UPROXX. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  26. Espinoza, Joshua (September 4, 2020). "SZA Shares Video for New Track "Hit Different" f/ Ty Dolla Sign". Complex. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  27. D'Souza, Shaad (September 4, 2020). "SZA returns with "Hit Different" feat. Ty Dolla $ign, produced by The Neptunes". The FADER. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  28. Tai, Anita (September 4, 2020). "Drake Shows SZA Big Love For New Music Video 'Hit Different'". ET Canada. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  29. "Credits / Hit Different / SZA". TIDAL. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  30. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 14 September 2020". No. 1593. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 14, 2020. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  31. "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  32. "Billboard Global 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  33. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  34. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  35. "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  36. "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  37. "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  38. "Top 100 Songs, September 4, 2020 - September 10, 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  39. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
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