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"Crybaby" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022).

Background

SZA teased a deluxe edition of her second studio album, SOS (2022), immediately upon its release. She shared more details about the deluxe edition in 2023. In a September concert, she revealed that it became a reissue titled Lana, and she first teased its visuals via Instagram on May 31, 2024. In a post on the platform, SZA shared a costume of herself as an insect.

When SZA performed at BST Hyde Park concert in June, several insect props were present onstage. During the set, she played a video that featured her in another bug costume. Set to a song publications named "Storytime", the clip was shared again on social media after the show. The same song was previewed at her Lollapalooza set on August 3, during which she announced its official name was "Crybaby".

Music and lyrics

"Crybaby" is backed by twinkly synthesizers and groovy bass, with a soundscape that DeAsia Page of Elle described as rosy. SZA's various mistakes and insecurities are the focus of the lyrics; it has an additional theme of self-love. In the first verse, she explores how the pressure from being a public figure has contributed to on her reputation as emotionally sensitive. Other lines address her self-destructive tendencies, such as her habit of smoking. Some feature her reflecting on how to become a more mature person. For instance, she tells herself to stop blaming others for her own mistakes and move her emotional instability "to the backseat". Later in the song, SZA embraces her flaws, singing: "I know you told stories about me. Most of them awful. All of them true."

Release

"Crybaby" is the 10th track of Lana, released on December 20, 2024. Shortly before its release, SZA premiered a music video for the track "Drive", where a snippet of "Crybaby" plays at the end. In the outro, the camera pans to SZA, wearing bug-eye prosthetics, as she moves around some grass by the roadside.

The song has received praise from critics. Variety's Jem Aswad called "Crybaby" an album highlight, whereas Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Billboard ranked it as Lana's best track. For Aswad, what made the song stand out was vocals in the chorus and final verse. Focusing on the introspective lyrics' emotional impact, Cummings-Grady wrote: "Another raw and gut-wrenching look in the mirror  this song will turn anyone into a crybaby." The vocals and lyrics were also points of praise for Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop.

References

1. Calfee, Joel (December 11, 2023). "SZA Teases New Music with Mysterious Farm Photos on Instagram". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
2. Aswad, Jem (March 27, 2024). "SZA to Release Leaked Songs as Deluxe Edition of 'SOS,' Will Remake Delayed 'Lana' LP 'From Scratch'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
3. ^ Delgado, Sara (July 1, 2024). "SZA Previewed a New Song & Teased a New Album at BST Hyde Park". Teen Vogue. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
4. "SZA Covers Eminem's "Lose Yourself": Stream". May 31, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
5. Aswad, Jem (December 21, 2024). "The Long Road to 'Lana': Why SZA Took Two Years to Drop the 'SOS' Deluxe Album". Variety. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
6. Wonderland Staff (July 1, 2024). "SZA Teases New Album, Lana". Wonderland. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
7. Legaspi, Althea; Corcoran, Nina; Richardson, Kalia (August 3, 2024). "Stray Kids 'ATE,' SZA and Zedd Drop New Songs at Lollapalooza Day Two". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
8. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (December 20, 2024). "SZA's SOS Deluxe Lana: All 15 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
9. "SZA Teases An Earthy New Era With "Storytime"". Nylon. July 1, 2024. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
10. ^ Paige, DeAsia (December 23, 2024). "On Lana, SZA Unlocks a New Superpower: Self-Reliance". Elle. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
11. ^ Horvath, Zachary (December 21, 2024). "SZA Embraces & Acknowledges Her Flaws On "Cry Baby"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
12. Peters, Daniel (June 30, 2024). "SZA teases new album at BST Hyde Park headline set with song snippet". NME. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
13. Wonderland Staff (July 1, 2024). "SZA Teases New Album, Lana". Wonderland. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
14. Kaufman, Anna. "SZA drops 'Lana' after hourslong delay: 'We been up for days'". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
15. Millman, Ethan (December 20, 2024). "Watch Ben Stiller Wistfully Lip-Synch to SZA's 'Drive'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
16. ^ Aswad, Jem (December 22, 2024). "SZA's 'SOS Deluxe: Lana' Is a Low-Key But Satisfying Collection to Tide Fans Over Until Her Next Chapter: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2024.

• 2024 songs
• SZA songs
• Songs written by SZA
• Song recordings produced by ThankGod4Cody