SZA’s most recent album “SOS Deluxe: Lana”, dropped on Dec. 20, 2024. This album is the latest album since releasing “SOS” in December of 2022.
The deluxe album contains 38 songs, but 15 of these are the “Lana” aspects of this album. “Lana” seems to take listeners through SZA’s thoughts and feelings, and more specifically, through her healing journey and really coming to terms with herself.
“No More Hiding”
This song really opens up well for this album. It introduces the theme of opening up and facing her own personal truths about herself to be able to grow and move on. This song is a slow and soft opening track that I enjoyed.
Favorite lyric: “Gotta break it if you want it to grow/ Had to build everything twice over.”
“What Do I Do”
This next song starts to pick up a little bit, but still keeps the softer parts of the previous song in some places. In this song she repeats “What do I do?” after singing about her ex with another girl. She seems to be battling how she should feel about this moment.
Favorite lyric: “Told you I want honesty but you want that old me.”
“30 for 30”
This is one of my favorites on the album with a feature from Kendrick Lamar. This song is much more upbeat than the previous, showing how SZA is learning to get over this ex. This song shows SZA coming off much more confident, but still continuing to show her vulnerability.
Favorite lyric: “I swear I’d be at peace if it weren’t from you/ Only want your love if it’s solid.”
“Diamond Boy”
Going back into the ballad type feel, this song feels like a soft song dedicated to a new lover. She sings about how this new guy is so much better for her and she would dedicate herself fully to him. She feels comfortable to be vulnerable with this new lover.
Favorite lyric: “Usually I can’t let my guard down/ It’s the way you say it so smooth that got you far with me.”
“BMF”
I really enjoy this song. It begins the upbeat rhythms again, but this time, there is more positivity in this track. This song is showing how she is opening up again and is deeply falling for this new guy.
Favorite lyric: “Compliment my energy, it’s different laying next to me.”
“Scorsese Baby Daddy”
This track didn’t really pull my attention too much. It had a good beat and mix, but it just wasn’t my favorite. This song is describing a kind of chaotic relationship, while SZA is still searching for a partner to understand and connect with her.
Favorite Lyric: “Hate to be the one doing the most/ That’s what it takes though.”
“Love Me 4 Me”
For this song, the percussion in the background stood out to me and I enjoyed listening to the mixes. In this song, SZA is struggling with the feeling of being unseen. She yearns for a lover to see her for everything that she does for them.
“For you I’d change my name/ For you I’d kill my fame.”
“Chill Baby”
She is describing how she is so used to people leaving her through death or failed relationships. “Chill, baby, don’t go, baby” is a repeated lyric showing that she is begging for someone to not leave her.
Favorite lyric: “I want everybody free, gotta start with me.”
“My Turn”
This song is about how SZA wants to feel the other side, instead of what she has been given. She wants her past lovers to feel what she has had to go through. She describes a pattern of mistrust and abandonment that she has faced before.
Favorite lyric: “Your turn to bear the burden/ My turn ‘cause I deserve this.”
“Crybaby”
In this song, it seems that SZA is confronting the issue of her being seen as overly sensitive and a “crybaby.” She is taking in these perceptions of her and accepting them, instead of defending and rejecting them.
Favorite lyric: “‘Cause all I seem to do is get in my way/ Then blame you, it’s just a cycle, I’m so psycho.”
“Kitchen”
SZA is kind of fighting against herself in this track. She thinks back on her past relationship and is reminiscing about the good moments, but still is acknowledging the overall toxic environment this relationship created. She fights over choosing to focus on herself or this past lover.
Favorite lyric: “You know we got a real history / That don’t mean I’ll let you abuse me”
“Get Behind Me (Interlude)”
This is the shortest song of the new songs on this album. This kind of spiritual sounding track is SZA pushing away all negative energy around her. She talks about how she isn’t going to let anyone bring her down.
Favorite lyric: “Ain’t no turnin’ down, way too loud.”
“Drive”
This is my favorite song on this album. I really enjoy the overall chill vibes of this song. It feels more vulnerable as SZA is exploring finding strength in herself. She starts off by explaining how she usually runs away from her problems, and she continues talking about how fame hasn’t helped with the issues she faces. She goes into talking herself up and embracing herself more. This song goes through her process of how she faces her problems.
Favorite lyric: “ I been up ‘til midnight, drivin’ to nowhere/ Bumpin’ a slow song, can;t get my head clear.”
“Another Life”
This song is explaining how SZA thinks about what could have been different in this relationship to possibly make the outcome different than it was. She expresses regret of how she acted during this past relationship. She explains that maybe in another life or different timing, the relationship could have lasted.
Favorite lyric: “I don’t wanna be just a shell of me/ Just another thing in your gallery.”
“Saturn”
Saturn was a single released by SZA in February of 2024 and was nominated for 2 GRAMMY awards, “Best R&B Song” and “Best R&B Performance”. In this song, SZA is yearning to break a pattern of pain. She wishes she could have something new and peaceful.
Favorite lyric: “Sick of this head of mine/ Intrusive thoughts, they paralyze.”
