Logan Skrzypek ‘27, Student Life Editor
(Continuation of print issue)
Track 7: “Love Me 4 Me”
Another recurring theme is mentioned in this song–self-acceptance and the feeling of wanting to be loved for who you truly are, without any masks or pretenses. SZA expresses many desires for genuine love and acceptance, highlighting the importance of being authentic and unique within society. The song is pretty catchy that makes it relatable, and you can really feel the emotions she conveys through her beautiful voice. It is a prominent reminder that true love comes from being real and vulnerable.
Track 8: “Chill Baby”
This is a smooth track where SZA simply talks about taking things easy and not stressing over life’s challenges. The song is all about finding peace and balance, and just letting things flow naturally. The laid-back vibe of the song really complements its complex message. The lyrics reflect a carefree attitude and a desire to just vibe with someone special to you. It is like a reminder to not take life too seriously and to enjoy the little things that make it so special. The production is truly so mellow, which makes it the perfect song for chilling out or calming down.
Track 9: “My Turn”
Like the title suggests, “My Turn” is about taking control and stepping into your own power. SZA sings about feeling ready to shine and not letting anyone hold her back. It has a really empowering message about seizing opportunities and believing in yourself. The song’s energy is all about confidence and determination, which can be very motivating for listeners. This track could be used pretty well on a workout playlist or motivational playlist.
Track 10: “Crybaby”
“Crybaby” dives into the emotional side of relationships once again, where SZA talks about feeling vulnerable and expressing her emotions freely. It is about those moments when you just need to let it all out and not hold back your feelings as much as you may really want to. The song has a raw, honest vibe that makes it super relatable, which is common throughout most of the songs on this album.
Track 11: “Kitchen”
This song is about the comfort and intimacy found in everyday moments. SZA uses the kitchen as a metaphor for a place where she feels safe and connected with someone special: “You make it hard for me to choose me/ dancing and kissing, the kitchen”. It is about those simple, cozy times that mean a lot. “Kitchen” also touches on themes of love and nostalgia, which adds onto the little things that make a relationship so special to be in.
Track 12: “Get Behind Me (Interlude)”
SZA’s interlude is a short but powerful piece where she reflects on pushing past obstacles and negativity out of her own pathway. It’s about staying focused on your goals and not letting anything or anyone hold you back. The interlude has a pretty inspirational vibe, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward with the struggles they may encounter.
Track 13: “Drive”
“Drive” is about the journey of self-discovery and the ups and downs that come with it. SZA sings about navigating through life’s challenges once again. The song has a reflective and introspective vibe, making you think about your own journey. She also touches on the idea of longing and the emotional weight that comes with relationships. It really captures that mix of vulnerability and empowerment.
Track 14: “Another Life”
Here, SZA reflects on past relationships and wonders what could have been if things had gone differently. She explores the themes of regret, nostalgia, and the idea of alternate realities. It is a pretty introspective track that makes one think about the choices they have made, which is an extremely relatable topic, making listeners reflect on their relationships and what could have gone differently if certain things happened otherwise.
Track 15: “Saturn”
Closing off SZA’s emotional rollercoaster of an album, she finishes with her previously released single, “Saturn”, which is about growth and transformation. SZA uses the planet Saturn as a metaphor for the cycles of life, dealing with change, and finding balance. It is a really introspective song that fits well with themes of self-acceptance and personal growth mentioned in the album, which makes this song a great way to tie up SZA’s fifteen hard-worked songs added to SOS Deluxe: Lana.
In the United States, Lana‘s first-week streams and downloads helped return SOS to number one on the Billboard 200. Billboard noted that with its album units alone, Lana would have debuted atop the chart if it were released as a separate album instead of a deluxe edition of SOS, earning 105,000 first-week streaming and tracking-equiv alent album units. SZA received critical receptions from her fans regarding Lana, which is boosting the sales of her Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar. More songs for the album are planned to release sometime soon according to SZA herself. Lana is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud as of Jan. 14.
Lyon Life 