While SZA officially labeled “LANA” as the deluxe edition of her 2022 second studio album “SOS,” “LANA” is arguably an entirely new project in its own right. Released on Dec. 20, 2024 after an egregiously long journey to reach the public, SZA’s highly anticipated record explores themes of heartbreak, forgiveness and healing in a gentler, more graceful manner than she ever has before.
Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, released her debut studio album, “Ctrl,” in 2017. It was met with critical and commercial success, earning four Grammy Award nominations. She featured with Kendrick Lamar on the track “All the Stars,” the lead single to the soundtrack album of the 2018 film “Black Panther.” Her second album, “SOS” has only helped cement SZA’s reputation as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
“LANA” flows like a journal of emotional self-reflection. Over flute synths and acoustic guitar, the album opens with “No More Hiding.” “No more hiding, No more hiding / I wanna feel sun on my skin” she sings, marking a striking moment of vulnerability — she is ready to face herself despite the discomfort. In the two years since “SOS,” SZA’s outlook has shifted, becoming more optimistic without sacrificing her ability to feel deeply. Now, she is more concerned with finding inner peace than procuring the attention of a man who does not care for her.
In a 2023 interview with “Variety,” SZA says “LANA” is “outtakes [from ‘SOS’] and new stuff, too — I added a couple of songs. It’s like a whole new project. It’s called ‘Lana’ — my name, but it’s the first tattoo that I ever got, when I was 13. It was 10 bucks a letter and I only had $40, so that became my nickname for no reason. ‘LANA’ is really just the B-side of SOS.”
“Kitchen” is the standout on this record. Her vocals are lush and smooth, played over a sample of guitar riffs from the Isley Brothers’ “Voyage to Atlantis.” “Dancing and kissing in the kitchen / makes me think I forgive him.” She is forgiving an ex-boyfriend for mistreating her — a major theme all through “LANA.” “Scorsese Baby Daddy” is another highlight. “I rolled up all my problems,” SZA sings. “And then I smoked about it / I could have called my mom up / I’d rather f*ck about it.” SZA’s willingness to unabashedly showcase the transcript of her thoughts — the good and the bad, the embarrassing and the reassuring — is what we love about her.
Meanwhile, “Drive” and “Crybaby” work to establish SZA as a connoisseur of the catchy, yet multifaceted, breakup anthem. She acknowledges that sometimes we are culpable in our own destruction, but embraces these traits as part of who she is. The headline-grabber with Kendrick Lamar, “30 for 30,” is surprisingly not one of the strongest tracks on the record. Historically, Lamar and SZA bring out the best in each other, but “Luther” and “Gloria,” released only a month prior on Lamar’s “GNX,” are far more memorable. “BMF” features a chorus that felt far too manufactured for my taste, and for the same reasons, “My Turn” fell flat to me.
Tracks like “Love Me 4 Me,” “Diamond Boy” and “Another Life” involve SZA returning to singing about insecurity and her desire for male validation. It seems that the self-reflection and healing from “No More Hiding” has suddenly fallen out the window. “For you, I’d kill my fame / For you, I’d be so different, won’t recognize my face,” she sings. I have listened to her tackle these themes for two albums, and while the songs are undeniably gorgeous, is there really a need for them on this record? The issue with “LANA” is that it lacks a definite narrative to unite the songs, resulting in the album feeling like a handful of very strong singles.
There is a lot to “LANA” that feels unfinished, which SZA has admitted to. It is evidently not intended to be the next chapter of her musical evolution, but it is clear SZA is slowly evolving as an artist and as a person. Now, all we can do is sit back and wait for her forthcoming stadium tour with Kendrick Lamar.
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