It’s been a few years since the Trolls World Tour soundtrack tried to take over the airwaves, but one specific track refuses to die. I’m talking about The Other Side SZA and Justin Timberlake blessed us with back in early 2020. You remember that time. The world was about to shut down, and suddenly we had this shimmering, Max Martin-produced disco-pop nugget that felt like a bridge between SZA’s moody Ctrl era and a futuristic dance floor.
It was a weird pairing on paper.
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Justin Timberlake, the veteran pop architect, and SZA, the queen of modern R&B vulnerability. Honestly, people were skeptical. Would their voices even mesh? SZA is known for that "cursive" singing style and raw, diary-entry lyrics, while JT is the king of polished, falsetto-heavy funk. But the moment that bassline kicks in, it just works. It’s snappy. It’s bright. It’s also surprisingly deep if you actually listen to what SZA is saying.
The Secret Sauce Behind The Other Side SZA Fans Love
What most people get wrong about this song is thinking it’s just a "kid’s movie song." Sure, it was the lead single for a DreamWorks sequel, but the production team wasn't playing around. We’re talking about Ludwig Göransson—the guy behind Black Panther’s score—teaming up with Max Martin and Sarah Hudson.
They tapped into a very specific 1980s synth-pop aesthetic.
The song captures that "grass is greener" syndrome we all deal with. SZA starts the track by basically calling out the constant hustle for something better, singing about how we’re always looking at the "other side" instead of being present. It’s a classic pop theme wrapped in a very expensive-sounding package. SZA’s delivery is what saves it from being too sugary; she brings a bit of that "I’m over this" energy that makes the track feel grounded.
Interestingly, the music video—directed by Christian Breslauer—was a massive nod to the 90s Hype Williams era. You’ve got the fisheye lens, the silver outfits, and the minimalist sets. It felt like a tribute to Missy Elliott or Puff Daddy videos, which gave the song a "cool factor" that most movie soundtracks never quite reach.
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Why the SZA and Timberlake Dynamic Actually Worked
Usually, when you put a massive pop star and a rising R&B indie darling together, one of them gets swallowed up. That didn't happen here. The Other Side SZA managed to keep her identity. She didn't try to sound like a bubblegum pop star. If anything, Timberlake adjusted his vibe to match her rhythmic pocket.
The track peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, which, to be fair, was a bit lower than the labels probably hoped for. But it thrived on streaming. Why? Because it’s a "vibe" song. It fits in a workout playlist just as easily as a "getting ready to go out" mix.
- SZA's verse provides the emotional hook.
- The bridge is pure Timberlake nostalgia.
- The production is clean enough for radio but funky enough for the clubs.
Some critics at the time, like those over at Pitchfork, felt it was a bit too calculated. They argued that it lacked the "soul" of SZA’s solo work. But honestly? Not every song needs to be a deep dive into heartbreak. Sometimes you just want to hear a perfectly engineered pop song that makes you want to move your feet.
The Lasting Impact on SZA’s Career Path
If you look at SZA’s trajectory toward her massive album SOS, you can see the fingerprints of these experimental pop features. Working on The Other Side SZA proved she could handle massive, high-pressure pop productions without losing her edge. It was a stepping stone. It showed the industry that she wasn't just an "alternative R&B" artist; she was a global superstar in the making.
She’s always been vocal about her diverse influences—everything from Björk to Creed—so a funky disco track with JT isn't actually that far out of left field for her.
The song also reminded everyone that Justin Timberlake still has one of the best ears for melody in the business. Even if you aren't a fan of the Trolls franchise (and let's be real, most of us over the age of 12 aren't), the music stands alone. It has outlived the movie it was made for. That’s the hallmark of a good record.
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How to Appreciate the Track Today
If you haven't listened to it in a while, go back and put on some good headphones. Ignore the movie tie-in. Listen to the way the bass interacts with SZA's vocals in the second verse. There’s a layered complexity there that you might have missed when it was just playing in the background at a grocery store in 2020.
Actionable Insights for Your Playlist:
- Pair it with "Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat: The sonic transition between these two is almost seamless due to the shared disco-pop DNA.
- Check out the "Acoustic" versions or live clips: Seeing SZA perform this live (even in rehearsals) shows how much vocal control she actually has on those runs.
- Watch the Music Video for the Aesthetics: If you’re a fan of 90s fashion or Hype Williams-style cinematography, the visuals are a masterclass in nostalgic futurism.
- Listen for the Ludwig Göransson elements: If you like his work on Tenet or The Mandalorian, you can hear his penchant for unique textures even in this pop format.
Stop viewing it as a soundtrack song and start viewing it as a pivotal moment in SZA’s transition to pop royalty. It’s a masterclass in collaboration that bridge the gap between two very different eras of music.
To get the most out of your listening experience, try searching for the official "Behind the Scenes" of the music video. It gives a lot of context on how they achieved those 90s fisheye shots and how SZA and Justin actually vibed in the studio. It’s a rare look at the technical side of a big-budget pop machine._