SZA‘s highly-anticipated release Lana is almost here. The musician took to social media on Monday night to confirm that the album will finally arrive on Friday along with a music video for new single “Drive.”
The singer shared the news in a pair of Instagram reels that feature Ben Stiller singing along to “Drive,” while driving a car. The clips presumably come from the music video, directed by Bradley J. Calder. In the captions, SZA heralds the release of Lana, out Dec. 20, and Stiller’s TV series, Severance, which premieres its second season Jan. 17 (and is SZA’s favorite show).
SZA has been talking about a potential deluxe version of SOS, which earned nine Grammy nods and three wins, since its release in December of 2022. The scope of Lana has shifted since. Earlier this year, SZA hit out at fans who apparently leaked several songs from the album, saying she planned to start Lana “from scratch.” She later clarified that the deluxe edition of SOS would feature “the leaks and outtakes” and Lana would be its own thing. “Lana deserves more time and music no one’s ever heard before,” she wrote.
Last year, SZA told Variety that Lana had grown into “more than she expected.” “It’s definitely turning into its own album, and I guess I could drop a new album randomly because no one’s actually expecting that from me right now,” she explained. “But I can’t tell if now’s the time to be consistent or carefree.”
In November, British Vogue seemingly confirmed that both the SOS deluxe edition and Lana are expected out this year. Last week, SZA continued to tease fans with an Instagram video posted on the two year anniversary of SOS, writing, “Clock starts now.” It’s still not totally clear what SZA is releasing on Friday. In her Instagram captions, she refers to the album as both Lana and Deluxe, suggesting they may be one and the same.
Recently, Stiller appeared on The Tonight Show and reflected on SZA’s Severance fandom, so it’s not surprising the two have paired up. “Whatever SZA wants, SZA gets,” Stiller told host Jimmy Fallon as he confirmed the show’s second season.