Rapper, vocalist and now actress LISA continues to expand her solo artistry with the highly anticipated project Alter Ego.
Fresh off her acting debut as Mook, a hotel staff member on HBO’s original hit series The White Lotus season three (which premiered Feb. 16), the Thai superstar leveraged the social satire’s cross-generational appeal to cement her status as a global star. Then came the BLACKPINK star’s performance at the Academy Awards on March 2, which made her the first K-pop artist to grace the Oscars stage.
And prior to that, the singer-actress kicked off the return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October, performing Alter Ego‘s lead single, “Rockstar.” LISA’s performance on the show makes her one of the women megastars who have taken the intimate clothing retailer’s stage over the years, joining the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and others, further solidifying her trailblazing position in global pop culture.
Her debut solo album — which arrived Feb. 28 via LLOUD Co./RCA Records — further boosts her momentum. Pre-release singles such as the aforementioned “Rockstar,” “New Woman,” “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” and “Born Again” generated huge excitement around the album, and the full project delivers versatility, which has been teased heavily during its promotion.
True to its title Alter Ego, LISA spent over a year crafting tracks for the set that embody her five alter egos: Roxi, Sunni, Kiki, Speedi and Vixi. The album weaves together the hip-hop, pop-rap, trap, electro-pop, ballads and dance-pop genres that she skillfully embodies, solidifying her status as both a star and a standout soloist of K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK while showcasing her bold, energetic pop-rap sound and cementing her as one-of-a-kind K-pop solo artist.
Check out Billboard’s ranking of the songs on Alter Ego — not including “FXCK UP THE WORLD (Vixi Solo Version)” and “Rapunzel (Kiki Solo Version)” — below.
A tropical-house track with an ode to youth and luxury, “Rapunzel” drips with LISA’s trademark charisma, with Megan Thee Stallion’s feature giving extra bling to the song. While it feels mismatched for a February release, it still is a pleasure to hear LISA taking a spin on this breezy, summer-ready tune.
On “Lifestyle,” the lyrics flaunt jet-setting excess, name-dropping L.A., Abu Dhabi and Bangkok while referencing TikTok diamonds. But the song’s true beauty shines through the ambitious genre-blending pop experimentations of Alter Ego, merging Jersey Club rhythms with BLACKPINK’s signature sonic DNA.
“Chill” incorporates the millennial R&B-pop fusion with syncopated beats layered on top, giving a little nod to Nelly Furtado’s Loose era. “Can’t read my face, just call me Mona Lisa,” she sings, delivering lines that are “chill,” yet demanding. Regardless of the song talking about the critics or her lovers, her confidence level remains untouchable.
The album’s sole ballad, “Dream” strips everything back, highlighting LISA’s raw, emotive vocals. A piano-driven reflection on lost love, it closes Alter Ego on a vulnerable, yet hauntingly tender note.
Evoking Arcane’s heroine Jinx and her rebellious spirit, the track’s chanted hook (“Let’s f–k up the world!”) and militant production channels her alter ego Vixi. It’s a high-octane rallying cry, albeit familiar to BLACKPINK fans.
A disco-pop twist on Six Pence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me,” “Moonlit Floor” swaps out innocence for a flirty, yet sweet allure. LISA’s “green-eyed French boy” narrative is syrupy yet charming, marking her first foray into the sweet romance on her first album.
“Thunder” opens with ad-libs before descending into a slow, groove-heavy soundscape. Buzzing and heavy 808 bass production focuses listeners on LISA’s commanding vocals as she declares independence: “Make way, make way, make way, taking space up in the sky.”
A recurring theme on Alter Ego is LISA’s unapologetic self-assertion. “I can be your bad girl, don’t treat me like a lady” signals a warning to the social constraints and threats of her independence. Even the seemingly straightforward “I’m just tryna make my way to you tonight” gains complexity when filtered through her defiant lens, leaving listeners to dissect whether it’s a vow of independence or a sly critique of her power dynamics in love.
The lead single “Rockstar” revels in LISA’s larger-than-life persona. Over minimalist synths and drums, she boasts about her rap prowess with a flow so effortless, it silences doubters. It’s a masterclass in confidence, proof that no K-pop act commands attention like her.
The track opens with pitched-up, soulful vocal chops before transitioning into LISA’s warm, polished singing, a deliberate showcase of her versatility beyond rap. Her duet with Tyla flows seamlessly, blending smooth R&B harmonies with minimalist, electric piano-driven production. Just like the subtle yet striking keys laid under LISA’s tight rap verses, this collaboration proves her ability to anchor both flow and melody in her songs.
Softly channeling ’80s Madonna on her religious connotations, “Born Again” tackles heartbreak with a little bit of irreverent lyrics: “If you stayed just another few nights, I could’ve made you pray to Jesus.” The disco-tinged production and meta title, declaring her rebirth as a solo artist, make this opener a bold and defiant statement.
LISA adopts her Thai name, Lalisa, over Timbaland-inspired percussion, blending playful chants — “La-La-La-La-La-La” — with elastic sensuality. A seamless transition from the intensity of “Rockstar,” “Elastigirl” highlights her cultural roots and versatility.
A dance-pop anthem with a feminist flare, LISA and Rosalía trade verses about rebirth, their chemistry mirroring the track’s cathartic energy. Director Dave Meyers’ sleek visuals on the music video amplify the song’s unflinching audacity, with yin-and-yang metaphors and eye-catching mise-en-scènes.
This article is courtesy of Billboard Korea.
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