Solána Imani Rowe, popularly known as SZA, releases another album titled “SOS Deluxe: LANA” on Dec. 20. This project comes two years after “SOS’s” release in Dec. 2022. The album consists of 15 new songs in addition to the 23 songs from “SOS.” This makes the album nearly two hours long with 38 songs.
SZA opens the album with the song “No More Hiding.” In the song, there’s an instrument that plays on loop which reminded me of a childhood game’s background instrument. The music sounds like hope in melody format, while the lyrics are all about self growth and becoming the better version of yourself. I honestly love this song not only because of its music, but the meaning behind its lyrics as well. Beautiful way for SZA to start off the album.
In the album, there is only one feature which is Kendrick Lamar on the third track, “30 For 30.” The song opens with a sample from “I Call Your Name” by Switch. After the sample, Lamar starts rapping with SZA being the ad libs. In the chorus, SZA and Lamar address their haters by saying, “Some of y’all gon’ get washed. Some of y’all just gon’ pop sh*t. Some of y’all just gon’ talk. But none of y’all ain’t really ’bout sh*t. Some of y’all just look lost. I get this type of feeling you ain’t accustomed to. I swear I’d be at peace if it weren’t for you.” The way I interpreted these lyrics was that SZA and Lamar were calling out their critics by pointing out that they’re all bark and no bite. The beats on the song had me head-bobbing the whole time. SZA and Lamar never disappoint with their collabs.
My favorite songs on the album are “Diamond Boy (DTM)” and “Kitchen.” SZA had teased “Diamond Boy (DTM)” and “Kitchen” before the album’s release, which had only left me wanting more, and boy did it not disappoint. In “Diamond Boy (DTM),” the lyrics talk about the unexpected love SZA falls into. This love turns into devotion which she explains in the chorus by saying, “Baby, if it’s OD, just tell me. Am I doin’ too much?” With her other song, “Kitchen,” she talks about a toxic relationship she was in where she recognizes the harm being done, but she’s struggling to do the right thing. One thing I found interesting about the song is that the music gives a nostalgic and floaty feel to the song while the lyrics are saying something completely different to the feeling.
Two other songs that I really enjoyed are “BMF” and “My Turn.” “BMF” opens with bubbly and poppy music, while the lyrics are about SZA’s attraction to a “boy from South Detroit.” The song reminded me of Sabrina Carpenter’s album “Short n’ Sweet” with its lyrics. “My Turn” is another song about SZA’s self growth journey. In the song, SZA talks about the regrets she had in her relationship and acknowledges how forgiving she was. She also acknowledges that she’s done and she needs to focus on herself. The beats in the song remind me of the beats on the song “Hummingbird” by Metro Boomin and James Blake.
SZA closes the deluxe version of her album with the song “Saturn.” The song was originally released as a single earlier this year after SZA had debuted it at the 2024 Grammys. In the song, SZA talks about how repetitive life has gotten and how she craves a life somewhere new, hence the name “Saturn.” I remember when the song had first been released, it was on repeat nonstop. SZA has a way of making music addictive and worth listening to.
“SOS Deluxe: LANA” is another SZA album that has now become one of my favorites. It feels truly like a SZA project. Some of the songs reminding me of her older albums, “Z” and “CTRL.” If you enjoyed this album, you will definitely enjoy the rest of SZA’s discography as well.
“SOS Deluxe: LANA:” ★★★★★
