It was released on December 20, 2024, as the eleventh track from Lana (2024), the reissue of SZA's second studio album SOS (2022).
[3] 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.
[5] 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".
[6] Tony M. Centeno at WHTZ included "Kitchen" as one of the four stand-out moments on the album,[7] as did Tyler Damara Kelly of The Line of Best Fit.