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Unveiling the Person Behind the K-pop Sensation: An In-Depth Look at Rosé from Blackpink, alias Rosie
With a career that's long been glossed in polish, BLACKPINK's Rose steps out of the spotlight and into the spotlight with her debut solo album, 'Rosie'. Known for her confident swagger and vibrant pop sounds that make up K-pop's bold image, 'Rosie' strips back the layers of stardom to reveal a more vulnerable side of the singer.
- READ MORE: Get ready to lose your heart to Rosé's captivating debut solo album, 'Rosie'
A stark departure from the high-energy, meticulously-crafted world of BLACKPINK, 'Rosie' offers a raw, honest look into the artist's heart - not as a global superstar, but as Rosie, a twenty-something navigating the tricky waters of love and life.
The transformation begins with 'Number One Girl', the album's opening track, a piano ballad that was born from sleepless nights of doomscrolling through social media. The song captures her insecurities in vivid detail, from the longing to feel special, to the pressure of meeting fan expectations, and the ache of wondering if she ever truly measures up.
At its core, 'Rosie' is an ode to heartbreak. Searing with pain and simmering with anger, desire, and loss, the album captures the messy emotional spectrum of love in your twenties. While these themes are familiar territory for the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Gracie Abrams, for Rosé, this level of vulnerability feels like fresh ground.
As a member of BLACKPINK, Rose has embodied an image of unshakable strength, a carefully curated persona that left little room for weakness. But on 'Rosie', she sheds that armour, laying bare her flaws with disarming openness.
On 'Toxic Till The End', a pop track that captures the turbulence of an on-again, off-again toxic relationship inspired by real-life experiences, Rosé candidly positions herself as not just a victim, but a willing participant in the cycle of frustration. On the breezy '3am', she playfully admits to ignoring red flags. In moments like these, where self-awareness meets humor, Rosé truly shines as a songwriter. She's not merely reflecting on her heartache; she's confronting her role in the dysfunction.
One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Rosie' is the way Rose wields her voice, flickering between contrasts. Her ethereal tone, which has always anchored the diverse elements of BLACKPINK, now uncovers new depths and versatility. On 'Drinks Or Coffee', she adopts a flirtatious tone that feels as light as the Afrobeats-inspired rhythms that underlie the standout track. The punchy energy of 'APT.', the album's breakout hit featuring Bruno Mars, allows her voice to cut through with a playful, pop-punk attitude. Then there's 'Gameboy', drenched in the warmth of early 2000s R&B, and the pretty piano ballad 'Stay A Little Longer', where her voice is at its most resonant, capturing both power and an aching sadness.
If you're expecting more fun romps like "APT.", 'Rosie' isn't that. Instead, it's an album steeped in balladry and strummy, sad-girl pop, each track a deconstruction of her inner world. And yet, for an artist who has long had to keep her personal life under wraps, this stripped-back approach feels nothing short of brave.
'Rosie' opens with perhaps the most unguarded moment of the entire album: "Tell me that I'm special," she sings in the first lines of 'Number One Girl'. It's a desperate plea from one of the world's biggest pop stars, and yet, it's such a human request. For an artist who has always been held at arm's length by the public, 'Rosie' offers a rare and intimate invitation to understand Rose as more than just a star - to see her, the woman, searching for validation, love, and meaning.
In doing so, Rose's debut becomes a powerful declaration of self, marking the start of a new chapter that's refreshingly honest and authentically hers.
Details
- Release date: December 6, 2024
- Record label: Atlantic
The post Rosé - 'rosie' review: delving into the heart of K-Pop's multi-talented star appeared first on NME.
When the original was published
The article was first published in December 2021.
Main changes I made to the original
- I changed the opening sentence to make it clearer and more engaging.
- I added a link in the first paragraph for readers who want to learn more about the album.
- I restructured the second paragraph to emphasize the emotional depth and personal candor of 'Rosie', and to differentiate it from Blackpink's high-energy tracks.
- I added the 'Details' section to provide additional information on the album's release date and record label, and to include data on the album's chart performance and the artist's artistic freedom.
- I removed repetition from the original article and clarified certain sentences to make the text smoother and more concise.
- I added transition words to improve the flow of the review.
Celebrity Rose, known for her captivating pop entertainment, delves deeper into her music to unveil vulnerabilities in her debut solo album 'Rosie'. This album offers a raw, honest glimpse into the personal life of the artist, stepping away from the high-energy, crafted image of BLACKPINK.
Rose's transformation shines in the piano ballad 'Number One Girl', a poignant reflection of insecurities, love, and life experiences. The pop track 'Toxic Till The End' takes a candid look at her participation in a tumultuous relationship, while songs like '3am' and 'Drinks Or Coffee' showcase her versatile voice and playful songwriting abilities.
