SZA has opened the floodgates of excitement among her fans by officially announcing that her long-awaited album, Lana, will drop this Friday. The project, a deluxe edition of her Grammy-winning sophomore album “SOS“, has been the subject of much anticipation over the past two years. SZA’s announcement came via an Instagram post featuring actor Ben Stiller energetically lip-syncing to what appears to be the album’s new single, “Drive,” set against the backdrop of a rainy night.
While “SOS” established SZA as one of the preeminent voices in R&B, “Lana“ is projected to expand on that legacy with a mix of unreleased tracks and fresh material. The release coincides with SZA’s upcoming stadium tour with Kendrick Lamar, marking a pivotal moment to unveil new music. However, fans might approach the news with cautious optimism, as previous delays and missteps have tested their patience.
A Journey of Delays, Leaks, & Teasers
The road to “Lana“’s release has been anything but straightforward. On the two-year anniversary of “SOS”, SZA dropped a cryptic video teaser, depicting herself in a candid, natural moment by a creek as the word “Lana” appeared onscreen. The snippet revealed intimate lyrics that fans believe reflect the album’s central themes of self-reflection and unresolved relationships. Despite the buzz, SZA’s history of missed deadlines has left many fans skeptical.
This skepticism deepened last year when SZA revealed she was rethinking the project after several tracks leaked online. Frustrated, she took to social media, announcing her intent to restart “Lana“ entirely. However, she later backtracked, stating that the leaks and outtakes would instead form the foundation of a separate deluxe SOS edition, while “Lana“ would evolve into a standalone album. That plan, too, eventually shifted, with SZA deciding to combine these elements into a single cohesive release.
A Project Two Years in the Making
Originally described as a “B-side” to “SOS“, “Lana“ has taken on a life of its own. In an interview with Variety, SZA explained that the album’s name comes from her childhood nickname, inspired by her first tattoo. The release will include a mix of outtakes from “SOS“ alongside entirely new songs, making it feel “like a whole new project,” she said.
Fans got a sneak peek of “Lana” during a free concert at Brooklyn Navy Yard last year, where SZA debuted tracks now unofficially known as “Boy From South Detroit,” “DTM,” and “Saturn.”
These songs stirred excitement ever since; even with the album’s timeline remaining uncertain. However, with the recent announcement and teaser featuring Ben Stiller, it appears that this time, SZA is ready to deliver.
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