Elijah O. Obando
Contributing Writer
Musical artist SZA released the heavily anticipated deluxe version of her critically acclaimed album “SOS” on Dec. 20, 2024. The album’s deluxe version has been teased since the initial release of “SOS” back in 2022. “LANA,” the title of the deluxe edition, adds 15 new tracks to an already 23-track album, leaving us with a whopping 38-track album in total. For reference, SZA’s “Ctrl (Deluxe)” album only added seven more tracks. SZA even referred to “LANA” as “a whole ’nother album” during a free concert at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Sep. 8, 2023, but the tracks contribute to the themes of “SOS” and work in conjunction. “SOS” speaks to not feeling loved in relationships, but also adds to themes of self-awareness and the idea that begging for love isn’t worth your time. “LANA” keeps these ideas and expands on them, allowing it to work as a deluxe to “SOS.”
“Diamond Boy” is the fourth track and most notable on “LANA.” SZA had previewed this track live in the past, and it became an instant fan favorite. The song features a gentle melody with vulnerable lyrics, such as, “Am I sayin’ too much? (Boy, I’m too much) / Baby, if it’s OD, just tell me / Am I doin’ too much?” SZA brings back the layer of insecurity that her previous album “Ctrl” had: “Wonder if you all mine / What do it matter anyway?” SZA has a kind of love for the subject and loyalty isn’t an issue as long as he stays with her. SZA wonders if wanting to be loved and given the same energy is her “doin’ too much.”
Even with a track like “Diamond Boy,” SZA contrasts her insecurity with other songs from “LANA.” “My Turn,” for example, is about understanding the hurt she’s gone through, and now it’s her “turn” to give back what she’s been given: “My turn, mine to do the hurtin’ / Your turn to bear the burden / My turn, ’cause I deserve this.” The track is empowering and self-aware.
Despite the popularity of these tracks, the release of “LANA” came with a lot of criticism for the long wait. SZA is part of RCA and Top Dawg Entertainment Labels, and she has been releasing music through them since her debut album “Ctrl.” SZA mentioned on X (formerly Twitter), with now-deleted posts, that she has had arguments with Top Dawg Entertainment in the past about not being able to release her music. The constant delay on “LANA” very well could be a result of that battle. Here SZA responded to the backlash on her X:
With all that is good to say about “LANA”, comes its flaw: “LANA” doesn’t do anything new. To be fair though, that’s why it’s a part of the deluxe of “SOS” not an album of its own. SZA’s rhythms and melodies on “LANA” are safe; they stray away from the experimentation “SOS” had. However, playing safe on a deluxe album isn’t a bad thing. “SOS” already has an occult following meaning she doesn’t have to do anything out of this world to get traction and streams. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
In my opinion, “LANA” works as an addition to “SOS.” It shows the side of SZA that people missed from her older work. Despite the criticism that the new releases didn’t create something fresh, “LANA” is satisfying for what it is — heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. I don’t personally believe the deluxe edition did anything groundbreaking for the music industry, but it’s still an enjoyable listen with catchy tunes you can easily go back to.