It seems as though “SZA summer” is starting right on cue.
Celebrating the five-year anniversary of her timeless album CTRL, SZA gifted fans with the expanded edition of her 2017 debut on Thursday (June 9). Sharing seven previously unheard tracks from her CTRL era — as well as an alt-version of “Love Galore” — the TDE songstress’ new deluxe brings forth waves of nostalgia and excitement as she prepares for her forthcoming sophomore project.
The singer also took to Twitter to express her gratitude to her fans, writing: “This is JUST a gift from camp CTRL. Nothing more nothing less. 5 years is a long time. Thank you for changing my life I love you.”
CTRL debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in July 2017 — and hasn’t left the chart since. Nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards, SZA was also nominated for Best New Artist, and saw nominations for records in “The Weekend,” “Supermodel” and “Love Galore.”
Off the heels of her GRAMMY win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her feature on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” SZA initially announced that the follow-up to CTRL is “complete” on Music’s Biggest Night in April. Later talking with Vogue in a short interview at the Met Gala last month, the singer said that her album is “finally ready to go, more than I’ve ever felt before.”
While it’s been half a decade since fans have received a full-length project from SZA, she hasn’t been completely silent in that time. Dropping “I Hate U,” “Hit Different” and the chart-topping “Good Days” all within the last year, she’s also set to headline Day N Vegas on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 2-4) — potentially hinting at her new album’s release sometime before her set.
Ultimately, fans are hoping that SZA’s comeback emanates that of former TDE labelmate Kendrick Lamar — a grandiose return to form that makes the years-long wait wildly worth it. If her upcoming album is anything like CTRL, these new cuts are just an appetizer for her long-awaited main course.
Listen to SZA’s ‘CTRL’ deluxe below!
