Everything We Know About SZA’s New Album and 2023 Tour

Back in June 2017, the burgeoning R&B singer SZA released her debut album CTRL. Now, SZA’s first album is heralded as one of the best albums of its decade. Every single one of CTRL‘s singles has been certified platinum, or more. We’ve all wavered on which of SZA’s songs is our favorite. “Go Gina”? “Supermodel”? Or the more recently released “Good Days”?

We’ve all raised our hands in wondering: Where is SZA’s new album? When is SZA going on tour?

In May of this year, SZA fans were met with some much-appreciated reassurance. SZA confirmed her new album is complete. At the Met Gala, the “Drew Barrymore” singer strutted a classic and fabulous vision with starkly Solana-esque details. She stuck to the theme, “Gilded Glamour,” but addressed it with personality—latex boots, a big black hat, the gown hot pink and strapless. Then, she made the announcement we’ve all been waiting for.

“My album’s, like, finally ready to go, more than I’ve ever felt before,” SZA told Vogue in a brief interview. “So this summer will be a SZA Summer.”

Did SZA release new music this past summer? Solana didn’t end up dropping any new singles from her upcoming album, but she was found in a few features. Doechii’s “Persuasive” and DJ Khaled’s “BEAUTIFUL” with Future. Fans didn’t get to hear SZA’s sophomore album this past summer. But she stayed within earshot, reminding us of what we continue to wait for.

The new LP will likely include singles SZA released in 2021, such as “Hit Different,” “Good Days,” and “I Hate U.” We’re even more certain that SZA’s upcoming album will contain her most recent single, “Shirt.”

Steady, melodic, and spare, “Shirt” allows SZA to do what she does best: sing. When it comes to a new SZA single, the first thing we listen for is her voice. The lilt and the control, the desire behind each note leaving us breathless. “Shirt” is a gentle reminder of what we’ve all been waiting for. Hopefully, not for much longer.

Just two days ago (Nov. 9) SZA dropped a cryptic message on social media. The visual is of the artist defending a neon green ring of fire, herself doused in the glowing liquid. “Happy birthday to me,” SZA wrote on Instagram. “Clock starts now.”

Who will appear on SZA’s new album?

In SZA’s Kerwin Frost interview, she confirmed the inclusion of several special guests on her forthcoming LP. BROCKHAMPTON, Justin Timberlake, Post Malone, and Jack Antonoff are all among the list of names she dropped, shedding a superstar light on the sophomore project. Not only has SZA been cooking something up, but from the hit single and guest list alone, we know she’s mastering what could be one of the best hip-hop/soul records of the year.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see Lizzo supporting SZA on her new album as well. We know, because of SZA’s twitter, that she’s heard music from Lizzo’s upcoming album. The now-documented close friendship and artistic appreciation between SZA and Lizzo has also led to collaboration. Just last month, SZA confirmed she recorded with Lizzo for a night. Even though this could be for Lizzo’s album, or another LP entirely, we think the SZA/Lizzo collab we’ve been dreaming up since their dreamy meditation sesh is happening.

Some other exciting collabs on SZA’s new album may include Sam Smith, Adam Levine, and Kendrick Lamar—her TDE label mate, who also appeared on CTRL. We’re also still holding out for that long-rumored collaboration between SZA, Mark Ronson, and Tame Impala, a mix of artists as groovy as it gets. With SZA’s known power, style, and versatility, we wouldn’t be surprised if she delivers a record with someone special on almost every track.