Lana, the much-anticipated deluxe follow-up to SZA’s 2022 critically acclaimed SOS is here, and we’ve had it on repeat. While the album was originally slated for release at midnight on December 20, 2024, fans had to wait until Friday afternoon to hear it in full. Still, the delay hasn’t stopped SZA from dominating. She’s been #1 on Spotify’s global top artists chart for the fifth consecutive day.
Beyond solidifying her position as one of the most-streamed artists in the world, SZA is making waves in Hollywood, too. This January, she stars in One of Them Days with Keke Palmer, proving her artistic range knows no bounds.
Why is Sza’s Lana a Deluxe Album?
While fans were thrilled to receive 15 new tracks, some questioned why Lana was marketed as a deluxe album rather than a standalone project. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), some suggested the move was a strategic play to further boost SOS‘s record-breaking success.
Personally, though, I feel Lana is thematically and sonically a direct continuation of SOS. Both projects are drenched in heartbreak, regret, and that touch of self-loathing SZA captures so well. But with Lana, there’s a noticeable evolution—an emotional growth that feels like the next chapter in her story.
If the theme of SOS was about navigating heartbreak and longing, Lana is about finding self-acceptance amid the wreckage. SZA alluded to this herself in a tweet:
She’s talking her shit on “My Turn” and “30 for 30” featuring Kendrick Lamar. Even in songs like “Kitchen,” where she reflects on a toxic relationship (“You know that dick been good to me”), she shows a newfound strength: “That’s no reason I can’t choose me.”
Samples and Interpolations in SZA’s Lana Album
SZA flexes her creativity by weaving in nostalgic samples and fresh interpolations that add depth to Lana. Notable examples include:
- “30 for 30” samples Switch’s “I Call Your Name” (1979).
- “Get Behind Me Interlude” features a sound bite from TikTok star ThickNeyy. (SZA is chronically online so I especially love this.)
- “Kitchen” samples The Isley Brothers’ “Voyage to Atlantis” (1977).
These references ground the album in timeless sounds and highlight SZA’s ability to blend the old with the new.
The Best Song on Lana
Billboard named “Crybaby” as the standout track, with plenty of buzz surrounding “Scorsese Baby Daddy” and “BMF.”And of course, “Drive” is running up the views on YouTube. Songs like “Diamond Boy” and “What Do I Do” will definitely be commercial successes. But for me, the crown jewel of Lana is “Kitchen.”
The song’s hypnotic flow mirrors the cyclical nature of a toxic relationship, with SZA’s voice pulling you into her narrative. It’s raw, vulnerable, and beautifully crafted—a track that sticks with you long after the album ends.
More SOS Deluxe to Come?
While fans buzzed about the new tracks, some expressed disappointment that certain unreleased songs didn’t make it onto Lana. However, SZA has hinted that there’s more to come. In a tweet, she shared a text exchange with her manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, suggesting additional tracks like “PSA,” “Take You Down,” and “Open Arms” could drop as soon as Christmas Day.
In addition to expanding the tracklist, SZA plans to tweak some of the sound mixing and provide accurate lyrics for fans who want to belt out every word ahead of her 2025 national tour with Kendrick Lamar.
