Photo courtesy of Recording Academy
It’s about to be a “SZA summer,” the TDE songstress proclaimed at the Met Gala Monday (May 3), as fans have been waiting nearly five years to hear SZA’s long-awaited record.
Fresh off her GRAMMY win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her feature on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” SZA initially announced that her follow-up to 2017’s CTRL is “complete” at the awards show last month. However, she looks to return to the spotlight much sooner than expected — aiming for a summer takeover of her own.
“My album’s, like, finally ready to go, more than I’ve ever felt before” she told Vogue in a short interview. “So this summer will be a SZA Summer.”
This summer = SZA Summer.
— SZA CRAVE ❤️🔥 (@SZACRAVE) May 3, 2022
SZA seemingly confirms that her album will be dropping this summer! pic.twitter.com/3lZIPgh1zK
Speaking with Variety backstage after the GRAMMYs on April 4, SZA spoke candidly about her upcoming album as well as her apparent ankle injury — seen walking on crutches up the Grammy’s stage to accept her award. In regards to new music, she said that the project was recently finished in Hawaii and that it is “coming soon.” She also mentioned how she felt that the music she made on it would be for any listener.
“I think it’s my most unisex album. I think it’s for everyone.”
SZA on her latest album to Billboard
Crazy day man. SZA twisted her ankle the night before the awards, really hours before. She almost cancelled. It was super inspiring to see her power thru and make it at the tail end of the red carpet and then go up on stage with crutches to get the trophy with doja. Salute. 🙏🏽
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) April 4, 2022
This was SZA’s first Grammy win after 14 previous nominations. Just last year, she released singles in “I Hate U“, “Hit Different” and the chart-topping “Good Days.” It’s sill unclear if these tracks will be for the new project, however, it does hint at the potential sound she’s going for. Nonetheless, here’s hoping SZA’s next effort doesn’t take too much longer to hit DSPs.
Listen to SZA’s hits below!