SZA's long-anticipated deluxe album, entitled SOS Deluxe: LANA, was finally released on December 20, 2024, thrilling fans who have been eagerly waiting for new music. This extended version of her sophomore album features 38 tracks, which include 14 brand-new songs alongside the previously-released ‘Saturn’ and all 23 songs from the original SOS.
Fans were initially buzzing with excitement as SZA promised its arrival after teasing it throughout December 2023. The album was originally set to drop at midnight, but SZA took to her Instagram on December 19 to inform her dedicated followers: “FULL DELUXE OUT TOMORROW AM. On the 20th! Just needed a few more hours for new mixes to ingest evenly across all platforms… (mixes are important),” she explained candidly about the delay.
Despite this tantalizing announcement, many fans soon found themselves puzzled on the morning of the release as they waited for the album to appear on their streaming platforms. Their anxiousness sparked waves of memes on social media, as fans humorously shared their reactions during the long wait. Eventually, at 10:27 AM PT, Terrence “Punch” Henderson from SZA’s Top Dawg Entertainment label took to X, stating, “It's my fault,” and confirming the album would actually drop at noon.
SZA’s rising star has gathered significant momentum since the original SOS album dominated the charts upon its release, breaking records as the first R&B album by a woman to achieve double digits on the Billboard 200 since Mariah Carey’s self-titled debut back in 1991. Now with the deluxe release, fans see the continuation of her jaw-dropping success. Tracks such as: “No More Hiding,” “What Do I Do,” and “30 for 30” with Kendrick Lamar appear on the deluxe version, promising fans more of the captivating sound they’ve come to expect from her.
SZA has articulated the conscious decision behind the sound of LANA, stating, “I know people wanted [Ctrl's] ‘Broken Clocks,’ ‘Love Galore’ and all... but I departed from [that] by choice… Not because I couldn’t do it again; it was just because I wanted to grow.” This reflects her artistic evolution and her desire to pursue new directions, distancing herself from earlier work.
To hold fans over as they awaited LANA's release, the full music video for the single “Drive,” starring actor Ben Stiller, was made available. Stiller's involvement added another layer of excitement, depicted humorously alongside fans trying to grasp every moment of their idol's new chapter. SZA's aesthetic and the album artwork showcased her as creatively whimsical, tapping back to her fun-loving spirit.
The release on December 20 marked exactly two years since SOS made waves, and with this lengthened version, SZA responds to her fans’ thirst for fresh material whilst ensuring each piece holds substantial quality. Post-release, fans have expressed immense gratitude for the tracklist and what it brings to their favorite artist’s legacy.
Reflecting on the momentum since her last album, SZA marked the one-year anniversary of SOS by sharing her astonishment about its success, stating, “a day late but Happy 1 year anniversary to an album actively changing my life... I never imagined we’d accomplish a fraction of the accolades... this is beyond my wildest dreams.”
With confirmed plans for her Grand National tour with Kendrick Lamar set for 2025, the excitement around SZA continues to thrive. Fans have expressed eagerness toward experiencing her new works live, considering the innovative creativity she showcases with each release. A turbulent but fruitful album rollout has left followers basking under SZA’s success, counting down the moments until LANA swiftly becomes another fan favorite.
