SZA brings 'Saturn' to earth on ethereal new track

In a surprise drop, SZA has released the studio single “Saturn” in five different variations -- and each is well worth the listen.

Listen to SZA Radio and more on the free Audacy app

SZA is showing no signs of slowing down after being the most nominated artist at this year’s GRAMMY awards just a few weeks ago. While she ultimately took home three awards, the artist also teased new music during an advertisement with Mastercard . The commercial featured SZA performing an unreleased track among a lush forest background, promoting the card’s Priceless Planet Coalition and forest restoration.

That track was officially released today and is named “Saturn.” Co-written and co-produced by SZA and her creative team, the release of “Saturn” has shocked fans. The artist had previously taken a hiatus of five years between her debut studio album CTRL and her 2023 album SOS , so no new music was particularly expected of her. Yet, this isn’t just one recording that was released. The single is actually featured as an entire bundle, including a main studio edition and acapella, instrumental, sped-up, and live versions

The song “Saturn” presents SZA, tired of her reality and dreaming of another world to start over in. “Sick of this head of mine / Intrusive thoughts, they paralyzе / Nirvana's not as advertised / Therе's got to be more, been here before” she croons, with a lush stack of harmonies behind her. The cascading midi piano, combined with a reverb snare beat, gives the song a spacey feel somewhere between low-fi electronic and R&B. Yet, that futuristic space stays definite and secure. Rather than floating into an overly experimental oblivion, the song anchors itself with repetitions that never get weary. The lyrics seem to click into place with their clever, close-sounding rhymes and alternating short and long phrases. And of course, you can’t forget SZA’s indistinguishable voice and melodic riffs.

“Saturn” appears to be the first single of her Lana project, which SZA has described both as a new album and “the B-side of SOS.” “It was gonna be something really soft,” she told Variety of the project. “I had made all my screaming points [on ‘SOS’], and I just wanted to glide and not think [too much], and just get out of my own head. I was so happy to say some s*** that didn’t mean a f****** thing. But now it’s definitely turning it into its own album. I guess I could drop another album randomly because no one’s actually expecting that from me right now.”

A full project was indeed unexpected given her history of hiatuses and talks of " disappearing’ from music " -- but this new release is so welcomed. The art of the single (and its four alternate versions) seems to hint at other song titles from Lana - - all that spell the word "Saturn" with their first letters. Possible titles include “Take My Time” and “Rotten,” though we will have to wait to find out exactly what those phrases reference.

Listen to "Saturn" above, and of course, in the mix on SZA Radio on the free Audacy app.