Remember that music dump that SZA hinted at last year? Well, the three previously unreleased songs have emerged on the singer-songwriter’s SoundCloud account. They’re titled “Nightbird,” “I Hate You,” and “Joni,” a fan-requested song.
The next day, however, fans alerted SZA of their removal from the music sharing platform. She responded in a tweet stating her confusion of why. Shortly, the songs were restored on Soundcloud, and she followed with this tweet.
It’s funny how my actual non authorized leaks are still up even after I begged but this came down. Lol
— SZA (@sza) August 23, 2021
“Joni” is a melodic pop tune filled with guitar strums written from the perspective of music legend Joni Mitchell. The short tune has a soothing yet ominous feel to it. She ends the song with a beautiful whistle note. Meanwhile, “Nightbird” and “I Hate You” are classic SZA records where she deals with relationship issues.
Alongside the songs, she released a dance-heavy video on her Instagram for “Joni.” The self-directed video shot by Blair Caldwell features dancer Nana Yaa. Watch it below.
With the release of these three songs, SZA announced the return of SZA Sundays.
Yes . https://t.co/xrgoRDdSEY
— SZA (@sza) August 22, 2021
SZA has been having a great year in music. On top of her achieving her highest-charting solo single (“Good Days”) to date on the Billboard Hot 100, she accomplished another feat. Her collaboration with Doja Cat, “Kiss Me More,” has become the longest-running women-only top 10 hit in the Billboard Hot 100 history, passing Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine.”
Outside of that, she appeared on “Just For Me,” with SAINt JHN on the Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack. Her long-awaited Ctrl follow-up is on the horizon.
Take a listen to SZA’s new songs via Soundcloud below.