Words by Kacie Bautista
Known for her sweet-as-honey soprano vocals as a member in the K-pop group, BLACKPINK, Rosé opens a new chapter in her career with her debut studio album, rosie. Born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Rosé began her career at an early age where she trained to become a K-pop idol for the now massively successful female group, BLACKPINK. She has been with the group alongside her members, Jisoo, Lisa, and Jennie, since 2016, and in 2021, released her first single album, R which included the tracks, “Gone” and “On the Ground”. On October 1st, Rosé announced her first studio album, rosie, which was released on December 6th. Her hit song titled “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars remains at number one on the Billboard Global charts for the seventh week with its companion music video already surpassing 500 million views.
The album itself is a lyrical pop sensation that encompasses both mellow and upbeat rhythms as Rosé writes about longing, desire and heartache. This project appears to reflect the most honest representation of Rosé yet, as she describes having “poured [her] blood and tears into this album.” “I cannot wait for you to listen to this little journal of mine… I hope you all feel that much closer to me,” she says in her post on social media. Her lyrics, full of heart and emotion, are paired with soft acoustics and catchy beats that have you wanting to cry and dance at the same time. Rosé’s writing truly mirrors that of a diary as she tells a story in every song, guiding the listener along in every melodic turn and instrumental change. Her lyricism speaks to the heart, allowing each song to be easily felt and relatable. The composition of her music pairs perfectly with the vulnerability of the writing, as the mostly stripped-back nature of the songs allows Rosé to openly express herself and tell her story. Her raw vocals are especially the star of the show in songs like “Stay a Little Longer,” and “Not the Same.” Throughout the album, she continues to prove herself as a spectacular singer with her impressive high range and vocal acrobatics.
A revitalization of pop music, rosie brings back to life some of the pop sounds that we’ve loved and missed from a decade ago while making it uniquely her own. Give her album a listen, available everywhere now, and be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled!
Loudspeaker Collective 