8th March 2025 – (Seoul) Jennie, the first member of K-pop sensation Blackpink to embark on a solo career, has released her debut studio album, Ruby, on 7th March. The album showcases a diverse array of sounds, offering a polished and eclectic listening experience.
Her initial solo single, “Solo,” epitomised its era with nostalgic EDM-pop elements and straightforward lyrics. The chorus, marked by the repetitive line “I’m goin’ solo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo,” conveyed a message of personal liberation, albeit from a lacklustre relationship rather than the band. “This time I’m only lookin’ at me, myself and I,” she declared, affirming her commitment to self-empowerment.
While much has changed since then, the central theme of self-empowerment remains a constant in her music. On Ruby, this message resonates strongly in tracks like “Mantra,” where Jennie leads a chant-along chorus, and “ExtraL,” featuring innovative rapper Doechii, whose sharp verses enhance the playful line, “Yeah, we lappin’ the men.”
However, the album also explores more complex emotional landscapes. In “Love Hangover,” featuring Dominic Fike, Jennie delves into the turmoil of unhealthy relationships, showcasing a vocal performance so versatile that it diverges from her established style.
Listeners should not expect Ruby to mirror a typical Blackpink record. Historically, Jennie collaborated mainly with producer Teddy Park, known for his work with the group. For this project, she assembled a varied team of producers, including Diplo and El Guincho, to explore different aspects of her artistry. The result is an ambitious collection, ranging from the acoustic ballad “Twin” to the dynamic rapping in “Zen” and the familiar rhythms of “Start A War.”
Jennie also channels influences from artists like Rihanna and SZA throughout the album, while collaborations with Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis on “Damn Right,” alongside Dua Lipa on “Handlebars,” demonstrate her adaptability in the current pop landscape.