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"Kitchen" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released on December 20, 2024, as the eleventh track from Lana (2024), the reissue of SZA's second studio album SOS (2022). The song samples "Voyage to Atlantis" (1977) by American music group the Isley Brothers.

Background

To celebrate the two-year anniversary of her second studio album SOS on December 9, 2024, SZA shared a trailer announcing the album title Lana and preparing for an imminent release. The teaser features 46 seconds of a then-untitled "Kitchen", most commonly referred to as a "Voyage to Atlantis" sample.

Composition and lyrics

On "Kitchen", SZA borrows drums, electric guitar, bass, keyboard and synth foundation of a "sensual, floating and dreamy" sample from the 1977 song "Voyage to Atlantis" by the Isley Brothers while her own vocals "float in the air" over a loop of "lush Seventies guitar". Rob Sheffield described her voice as "processed into a sleek pureé". The narrator presents a "bittersweet" tale about an abusive relationship and the subsequent impact of a breakup, including a seemingly inevitable reconciliation. SZA reminisces about moments of singing and dancing in the kitchen that ultimately lead to thoughts about forgiving the person. Memories of dancing also include the usage of shrooms.

Critical reception

Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Billboard classed the song within the best half of the reissue at seventh place, saying that SZA "shines" lyrically as she finds herself spiraling in a "noxious loop with her man" that would turn into a "fever dream". Cummings-Grady noted the "unsettling sparkle" triggered by the production. Tony M. Centeno at WHTZ included "Kitchen" as one of the four stand-out moments on the album, as did Tyler Damara Kelly of The Line of Best Fit.

References

1. Peters, Daniel (December 10, 2024). "SZA confirms new album Lana is deluxe edition of SOS: "The clock starts now"". NME. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
2. Renshaw, David (December 10, 2024). "SZA begins countdown to new album: "Clock starts now"". The Fader. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
3. ^ Sheffield, Rob (December 21, 2024). "SZA is at her most streamlined and direct on Lana". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
4. Bardají, Jordi (December 22, 2024). "SZA sueña despierta en la flotante "Kitchen"". Jenesaispop (in Spanish). Retrieved December 26, 2024.
5. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (December 20, 2024). "SZA's SOS Deluxe Lana: All 15 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
6. Centeno, Tony M. (December 23, 2024). "SZA Freaks Out After Famed Director's Family Co-Signs Song From Lana LP". WHTZ. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
7. Kelly, Tyler Damara (December 23, 2024). "SZA unveils deluxe album with "30 for 30" featuring Kendrick Lamar". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved December 26, 2024.

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