SZA Tells Lana’s Backstory on Why It Took Her Two Years to Release Deluxe SOS Album

Perfection takes time, and SZA proves it with the release of ‘Lana.’ Dive into the story behind this two-year journey!

A Perfectionist’s Journey: Why It Took Two Years

SZA’s long-awaited deluxe edition of her 2022 album SOS, titled “Lana,” has finally dropped after two years of anticipation. This delay wasn’t due to mere oversight; rather, it reflects SZA’s perfectionist artistry, where nothing is released until she deems it perfect. Speaking to Variety, SZA revealed her frustrations about leaks, saying, “When people leak my songs, they ruin them… It’s something unfinished that you decided was ready to be shared. And it’s like, ‘F*** you.’”

December 2022: Early Talks of a Deluxe Edition

Shortly after SOS’s release, SZA hinted at plans for a deluxe version. The original 23-track album was already a monumental project, arriving nearly five years after her debut album, Ctrl. The deluxe edition promised 10 additional tracks, heightening fans’ anticipation.

August 2023: The Birth of ‘Lana’

In an interview, SZA disclosed that the deluxe evolved into a new project, with the title inspired by her first tattoo. “‘Lana’ is really just the B-side of SOS,” she said. Fans speculated about track inclusions, such as “Joni” and “PSA,” but SZA remained noncommittal, especially after some of these tracks leaked.

September 2023: The Tease Continues

At a Brooklyn Navy Yard concert, SZA performed unreleased tracks like “BMF,” “Saturn,” and “DTM.” She described Lana as a collection of “outtakes and new stuff” and set a tentative release for the fall.

A Rollercoaster of Delays: November 2023 to March 2024

The project faced significant turbulence. By November 2023, Lana was morphing into its own entity. However, in March 2024, another leak prompted SZA to consolidate the leaked songs into the SOS deluxe and restart Lana from scratch. Frustrated, she called out fans defending the leaks, comparing it to theft: “Nobody wants to prosecute a young woman. We’ve all asked very nicely for some time now.”

June 2024: A Visual Transformation

At her Hyde Park concert, SZA debuted elaborate insect-themed staging, hinting at the artistic themes of Lana. She teased fans with snippets of new music, raising hopes that the album’s release was imminent.

December 2024: The Wait Ends

On December 16, SZA announced Lana would drop that Friday. The album finally arrived at noon PT on December 20, featuring 15 tracks, including “Drive,” which was released alongside a fantastical music video. Yet, just hours after the release, SZA hinted at another batch of songs in the works. Could there be a deluxe edition of the deluxe edition?

A Sensational Success

Lana is a testament to SZA’s creative resilience and refusal to compromise on her artistic vision. Despite setbacks, delays, and leaks, she has delivered a project that complements the brilliance of SOS. As fans revel in the new music, the lingering question is: What’s next for SZA?