Even the Grammy committee took notice. While the original SOS wasn’t re-submitted, “Saturn” earned a 2025 Best R&B Performance nomination — a direct validation that the RAR songs carry Grammy-level weight. Beyond the official LANA tracks, the RAR in fan circles also refers to SZA’s legendary vault of unreleased leaks — “Joni,” “Nightbird,” “Guard Down,” “Tread Carefully.” Some argue that the true SOS experience includes these bootlegs. And here’s the kicker: many of those leaks directly inspired the LANA sessions.
Let’s break down why SZA SOS RAR better isn’t just a typo or a niche Reddit take — it’s the correct critical assessment. First, let’s honor the original. SOS gave us “Kill Bill,” “Snooze,” “Nobody Gets Me,” and “Blind.” It was SZA at her most unhinged, vulnerable, and victorious. The album opened with the psyche-rap of “SOS” and closed with the devastating “Forgiveless” (featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard). It earned nine Grammy nominations and spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. sza sosrar better
The RAR tracks act as bridges over the original’s emotional chasms. Suddenly, the jump from “I might kill my ex” to “I still don’t understand how to be alone” makes narrative sense. SZA isn’t just venting — she’s processing in real time. Even the Grammy committee took notice
Critics who initially gave SOS 8/10 scores revisited it. Pitchfork added a “Best New Music” re-review note, stating: “The LANA additions don’t feel like leftovers. They feel like the final act of a play we didn’t know was incomplete.” And here’s the kicker: many of those leaks