Solana Imani Rowe (Sza) is an American singer-song writer and actor. She recently released her anticipated new album, SOS Deluxe: Lana, on Dec. 20 of last year. The album is an expanded version of her previous album SOS which was released in December 2022. It features 15 new tracks alongside the previous SOS album tracks.
Rowe is well known for expressing her relatable feelings on compelling and “dream like” melodies, while also using her powerful and moving voice to underline the true tones behind her music, allowing listeners to connect with her and her music on an emotional level.
The album cover is a very accurate reflection on the feelings and vibes we get from the new songs on this album: a flowy, earthy, spacy and almost hypnotizing feel to her melodies.
“No More Hiding” Is the introductory track on her new album. This is where most of the space-like and flowy, earthy feelings come into play. This song helps paint the picture for the rest of the album. Sza expresses her yearning and desire for a true, loving connection with someone. She explains how she’s tired of hiding and is ready to feel the “sun” on her skin, even if it burns or blinds her. The sun symbolizes love from others, she wants to feel love even if it may hurt her, allowing listeners to better understand her plea for love, setting the tone throughout the rest of the album.
“Love Me 4 Me Is sung on a ‘dream like’ melody, she can smoothly deliver feelings as she’s struggling with self-acceptance. The first verse paints an idea for the rest of the song. “I romanticize the scariest things/ Wonder if I die, will I be forgiven for everything?” She expresses her feelings of being scared to be judged by society and feels scared to be herself as she will be judged for her actions.
“Chill Baby” Is not my favorite song on the album. I like the flow and speed of the song, but the lyrics and melody don’t match very well in my opinion. I do feel like the song matches the vibe of the album cover. This song expresses her feelings of wanting to be around people and be free within herself but is scared to put herself out there and be left.
“Crybaby” Is one of the more captivating songs in the album. This song is able to relate to her listeners on a more personal level. She can be self-aware of her actions and how they can impact herself and others around her while also expressing her feelings of having self-doubt about being a strongly opinionated woman. Admitting she’s a crybaby and the pressure put on her as an artist has made her soft. Sza then has a self-reflection moment, “You should stop focus on all that negative blocking the positive.”
I like the new album, she gave us a different vibe compared to all her other albums which some listeners might have enjoyed more than me. Overall, I rate her new album a 7.5/10.
