"This is what we have been waiting for" - Fans react as SZA drops four new songs from her deluxe album Lana

On December 20, 2024, SZA finally dropped a new record for her fans. Titled SOS Deluxe: Lana, but more commonly referred to simply as Lana, the 15-track project is the re-issue of her previous SOS and the second studio album from the acclaimed American singer-songwriter.

While Lana was met with positive reviews, it simultaneously left fans wanting more. SZA seems to have noted her supporters’ outcry for more music and subsequently announced that she would be adding four new tracks accompanied by new vocal mixes to her sophomore album Lana’s Deluxe Edition. Social media users were understandably thrilled.

Lana - A Brief History

Less than 2 weeks after Lana was released, SZA announced that she would be re-tooling elements of the record. Despite the album already having topped select global charts, she took to X to talk to her fans.

“Just got word all updated Mixes and new songs will be added Jan 6th when the label comes back from holiday. Sorry they can’t do it any sooner, Just wanted to keep y’all in the loop … Thank yall for your patience ”

Shortly thereafter, she posted a screenshot to X in which she was speaking with former manager TDE’s Punch Henderson. Her audience was overjoyed as she mentioned 3 additional songs she wanted to retroactively include on the tracklist: “Take You Down,” “PSA,” and “Open Arms.” “Joni,” a collaboration with Don Tolliver, was subsequently added to the list.

TDE Split

At the same time as she was working out the kinks of her Lana rollout, she also publicly parted ways with former manager and Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) President Punch Henderson. She was vocal that their relationship ended rather unceremoniously, bringing their often contentious relationship to an end.

Upon news that Punch had “stepped away abruptly,” SZA went on to say that she had “Nothing to celebrate. The end of an era. I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.” The exact choices for the split remain unknown, as speculation has taken over the discourse on this topic.

Super Bowl Half-Time Show

SZA graced the stage at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans as announced on January 23rd of this year, roughly three weeks before the performance. She was a special guest performer on Kendrick Lamar’s set (a former label mate at TDE), and the duo has collaborated multiple times in the past, most recently in 2024 on both Lamar’s GNX and SZA’s Lana.