Beyond the Beat

Review of “SOS Deluxe: LANA” by SZA

Photo by The Come Up Show / CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from original

Recently, SZA released her long awaited album “SOS Deluxe: LANA.” The reissue of her “SOS” album, dropped on Dec. 20, 2024, has left fans extremely pleased. The latest album adds 14 new tracks that fans are quickly growing to love just as much as the previous ones. Using her usual soulful sound that provides a blend of R&B, pop and hip hop, the new songs often reflect SZA’s experiences with love and loss. 

The first song in the album, “No More Hiding” provides a powerful message about self discovery after a breakup. The song draws emotions of hope and creates the perfect melancholic start to the album filled with love and loss. Following, the song “What Do I Do” is the perfect second track due to its depth into the emotions that come with the complexity of relationships and specifically, betrayal. SZA perfectly blends the deep painful emotions that come with betrayal with a melodious beat. These first songs set the stage for the themes explored throughout the entire album surrounding the complexity of relationships. 

An immediate standout song is “30 for 30” featuring Kendrick Lamar. The song, quick to trend on TikTok, is a fan-favorite due to its catchy beat and lyrics. Additionally, both “BMF” and “Scorsese Baby Daddy” became top hits swiftly and are also trending on TikTok. These songs are extremely catchy and even a bit relatable for some. BMF is playful and flirtatious yet continues SZA’s R&B style, making it stand out from some of the other songs. Similarly, “Scorsese Baby Daddy,” which blends rock, pop and R&B, resonates with many listeners with its honest and real lyrics that depict the chaos that often comes with relationships. 

The last new song in the album is “Another Life,” which masterfully captures a relatable post breakup feeling. The song addresses the feeling of what could have happened differently in a different reality. The song expresses the desire to be with someone, yet recognizing that it is not what is best. This popular song is extremely relatable and concludes the themes of self-discovery. After this track, the original SOS album tracks that fans know and love are repeated. 

This album perfectly explores themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery and the overall complexity that comes with relationships. SZA’s relatable and emotional lyrics resonate with listeners and the catchy beats keep fans playing the songs on repeat. “SOS Deluxe: LANA” is a must-listen for everyone, with its variety of tunes and themes that offer something for everyone.