Blackpink member Jennie has had a successful solo career for several years, though she has not gone all-in with her solo career until recently, as she was more involved in her group, making K-pop hits. She has come out with a debut solo studio album titled “Ruby,” on March 7, 2025, with some songs released beforehand. “Ruby” has 15 tracks, and fans were eager for this release as the prereleases were quite popular and the teasers sounded great.
“Filter” may be one of the best tracks on the album, with Dem Jointz’s usual amazing production, giving the instrumental an ethereal quality. Jennie’s vocals also suit the song, with production emphasizing her high notes and bold vocal tone. The lyrics are quite fitting, delivering a theme of confidence with or without filters and makeup.
Meanwhile, “like JENNIE” is an energetic, upbeat track using funk and phonk elements, with choreography inspired by African dance moves such as the South African dance style of amapiano. Her switching between English and Korean is captivating and shows her skill in delivering rap verses leading to a fun and lively performance.
“Mantra” is an energetic track that highlights Jennie’s star power as much as “like JENNIE” does. Released months ago on Oct. 11, 2024, the accompanying music video and choreography instantly shot up to popularity, with Jennie showcasing fabulous outfits and a stunning stage presence. The song itself is a classic pop hit that doesn’t sound basic, primarily thanks to Jennie’s unique delivery.
Doechii has recently gained a lot of popularity, giving the track “ExtraL” more attention, with many non K-pop fans praising her verse and tuning into the song. Doechii’s verse stands out the most on the track, with a very catchy flow and hard-hitting delivery in the short amount of time she had on the song.
“Damn Right” had fans excited for its release, with an iconic collaboration with Kali Uchis and Childish Gambino, two big names in R&B and hip-hop. The song itself has a chill vibe, with Jennie performing the soft vocals she’s known for. Kali Uchis’ angelic voice complements the track perfectly, accompanying Childish Gambino’s notable versatile flow and vocals.
“Seoul City” is one of the best mellow tracks on the album, with a dreamlike vibe. This R&B song has a pleasant vocal delivery from Jennie and gained praise for its sensual sound.
Even other songs on the album that were somewhat less memorable, such as “twin,” a primarily acoustic track, still have a charm and listening quality that goes pleasantly with the rest of the album.
This album is a pleasant surprise, as some K-pop stars who were previously in groups have weak solo albums. However, Jennie seems to have mastered the craft of her solo brand, going for a variety of tracks that have her branch out in certain ways without overdoing it. She doesn’t step too far out of her comfort zone, which contributes to her building a cohesive artistic identity, allowing her to showcase her strengths to a diverse audience, and leave room for more artistic exploration in the future.
The songs themselves have themes of love, along with some very Jennie tracks like “Mantra” and “like JENNIE” primarily talking about her fame. It all manages to flow well together, and the tracks feel almost conversational. Jennie’s vocals are pleasant on the ears, and by not being too powerful, it feels vulnerable while still having a cool vibe, because, well, Jennie’s singing it. She plays to her strengths well on every track, delivering an authentic performance on each one. She’s the star of the show without overdoing anything.
Fans enjoyed this album, with “Mantra” becoming a favorite from its release. “like JENNIE” became a quite popular song as well, with many fans only complaining that it could be longer. Fans also liked that Jennie included Korean in her songs, showing that she is in touch with her roots despite branching out to a Western audience. Overall, people enjoyed the way Jennie kept “Ruby” cohesive yet versatile at the same time. Even if the songs weren’t their favorite, fans still expressed appreciation for her artistry.
Verdict: “Ruby” is a wonderfully well balanced release that combines genres and styles showcasing Jennie’s individual artistic identity, with features that complement their respective tracks without outshining her. All aspects of the album convey her specific artistry perfectly, from her aesthetics to her vocal skills.
