Born Again: Blackpink Goes Solo

Upon hearing “K-pop,” most people would probably think of Blackpink. The girl group is composed of four members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa—and debuted in 2016 with two singles: “Boombayah” and “Whistle.” Over the past few years, the members of the quartet have become some of the most recognizable women in the pop industry, cementing their statuses as global influences. Despite their popularity and obvious talent, the group was often criticized for their inconsistent activity as idols. Inexplicably long hiatuses—along with old, mediocre solo music—frustrated fans and the band alike. Ultimately, the blame fell on their company, YG Entertainment. Thus, the members’ departure from YG Entertainment in 2023 marked the beginning of a new era. Though bittersweet, fans were excited to see what they would pursue without the restraints of their company.

The girls eagerly took their first step, establishing music labels dedicated to their individual creative projects. In particular, Jennie and Lisa gained attention for their captivating concepts and charismatic personas through pre-release singles like “Mantra” and “Rockstar,” respectively. As always, there were some comments saying their lyrics, attitudes, or even outfits were too brazen; the beloved “idol image” was gone. Unfortunately, these critics fail to realize that the members are now free and unfiltered, wanting to cater to a broader audience and move onto the next stage in their careers.

Favorite: Ruby - Jennie

Released under her personal label, Odd Atelier, Ruby (2024) is by far the most impressive project amongst the four. The album, inspired by Jennie’s name and invented alter ego, is versatile, fun, and soulful, bringing the listener on a meaningful journey through her raw thoughts and feelings. 

The name “Jennie Ruby Jane” comes from her experience moving to a different country; in this album, Jennie defines her real self and encourages other girls to recognize their own worth. Every track is filled with clever lyrical punchlines and commentaries, addressing those who spew hatred towards her. This attitude is established in the opening track, “like JENNIE,” which has gone viral for its catchy chorus and verses. Although short, the song is aggressive and blaring; it emphasizes repetition and constantly shifting dynamics, combining a Phonk beat with Jennie’s distinct hip-hop flow. Her name is chanted throughout like an affirmation, another nod to Ruby’s theme of self-confidence. After years of cyberbullying, Jennie is reclaiming her own identity—an admirable mindset that is evident in her songwriting. She makes statements like “Keep your hair done, nails done like JENNIE / Who else got ‘em obsessed like JENNIE?” and “They can’t deal with me ‘cause I’m priceless,” highlighting her trendsetter reputation. “ExtraL” featuring Doechii takes this further, referencing Beyoncé’s iconic “Who run the world? Girls” in the intro, “Do my, do my ladies run this, ladies run this?” Doechii’s verse is sassy, hard-hitting, and fast, using text painting to play with rhythm. 

Jennie also showcases her range on Ruby. “Seoul City” and “Start a War” exemplify a smooth, dreamy R&B sound, while fun pop tracks like “Handlebars” are simple yet memorable. The pace slows as the album concludes and Jennie delves into her vulnerability, especially in “Twin,” where she laments a lost friendship. The depth of her sincerity is truly felt through the lyrics “It’s like I’m writing a letter, but I’m writing a song,” signifying closure.

At moments, her originality falters. Noticeable sonic similarities between Jennie and other artists have been a source of controversy. The extent to which Ruby is entirely experimental is debatable, but regardless, it does not hinder the overall quality of the album. Considering this is only the beginning of her career as Jennie Ruby Jane, she reasonably sacrifices a completely unique sound to focus on viral-potential, lyricism, and storytelling. All in all, Jennie shines through on Ruby—a truly transitional album that conveys passion through themes like female empowerment.

Weakest: Alter Ego - Lisa

Alter Ego (2025) is filled with similarly confident although poorly executed anthems. The album opens with “Born Again (feat. Doja Cat & RAYE),” a victorious collaboration between artists from around the world. It’s dynamic and electric, with each artist delivering their strengths as usual. Doja showcases her versatility through her verse, effortlessly switching between her signature vocal fry and soft, airy soprano register. The contrast between RAYE’s robust vocals and Lisa’s unique tone is harmonious, reaching impressively high notes. However, the momentum quickly plummets. The album continues, lacking a definite theme or direction, with each song transitioning to the next with another harsh and clunky beat. With the exception of a few, each track’s production sounds like the same recycled trap beats behind repetitive lyrics. Songs like “Thunder” and “Elastigirl” blend together, making the album easily forgettable.

Additionally, Alter Ego relies too often on collaborations that compensate rather than supplement the actual song. Five of 13 songs (excluding the solo remixes) feature other mainstream artists. Considering these five are the most praised, it is clear that other artists carry Lisa. Alter Ego’s downfall also stems from Lisa’s overuse of rap. Her two-dimensional and signature whiny tone becomes unpleasant and grating. She fails to use the capability and vocal range she has showcased in other songs.

Another major flaw is that Lisa’s lyricism lacks depth. There is no narrative that ties the album together. This would be tolerable if there was variety instead of the constant focus on Lisa and her own worth; she solely emphasizes her wealth, promiscuity, and influence—themes that come off as self-absorbed. While Ruby successfully reasserts Jennie’s identity and communicates a powerful message, Alter Ego, even in its name, seems like a deflection of criticism rather than Lisa directly addressing it. There is no trace of her authentic aspirations, feelings, or thoughts, and it seems very artificial. What had the potential to be an introduction to the new Lisa was thrown away. Unfortunately, Alter Ego falls flat on several aspects. Overall, the album feels ingenuine and messy, lacking intention and artistic identity.