Rosé Rewrites the K-Pop Rule Book on Rosie
Rosie showcases a raw vulnerability that contrasts with the larger-than-life image Rosé has cultivated as part of BLACKPINK.
Throughout her career, Rosé has refined a meticulously polished persona, standing as one-fourth of globally renowned pop-powerhouse, BLACKPINK. Her presence within the group has long been synonymous with the high-octane allure of K-pop’s most iconic moments. However, with the release of Rosie, Rosé takes a bold step in a new direction. She sheds the shimmering layers of K-pop’s glossy exterior to offer listeners an intimate glimpse into her innermost world.
From the opening notes of the album, Rosie makes it clear that this is not BLACKPINK 2.0. The production is stripped back, favouring acoustic sounds, minimalist beats, and spacious arrangements that let Rosé’s voice take center stage. Tracks like opener, number one girl, showcase her ability to infuse emotion into every note, with lyrics that feel more confessional in nature than scripted. Speaking to PAPER Magazine, Rosé said that the track’s inspiration came from lived experience of life online after reading hate comments late at night, “I realised how vulnerable and addicted I was to this [online] world and that craving for feeling like I wanted to be loved and understood,” she said, adding that she “hated that about myself.”
toxic till the end injects a vibrant synth-pop energy that contrasts sharply with the more subdued tones of the album’s earlier tracks. This electrifying song feels like a nostalgic nod to the early 2000s, evoking the spirit of Avril Lavigne’s early work with its masterful blend of distorted guitars, pulsating synth bass lines, and Rosé’s crisp, emotive vocals. The track captures a sense of youthful rebellion, whilst still managing to balance its infectious hooks with an edge of bittersweet reflection. Embracing this defiant and cathartic energy, the anthemic chorus delivers a jolt of dynamism, representing a turning point in the album.
It therefor makes sense that its the precursor to Rosie’s biggest single, APT. featuring Bruno Mars. From its first few seconds, APT. commands attention. Bruno’s hallmark elements – smooth funk-inspired basslines, crisp percussion, and lush vocal harmonies – lay the foundation, while Rosé’s voice glides effortlessly throughout the arrangement. But what truly elevates APT. to the dizzying heights of the Top 40 chart is the chemistry between Mars and Rosé. Their voices, while distinct, complement each other beautifully, creating an alluring push-and-pull energy that keeps listeners absorbed from start to finish.
It’s unfortunate, then, that the latter half of the album struggles to maintain the momentum set by its standout tracks. gameboy falls short, feeling lackluster and overshadowed by the electric dynamism of APT., whilst stay a little longer shows glimmers of promise but it ultimately fails to soar. The stripped-back arrangement feels too restrained, and despite its intimacy, doesn’t quite capture the grandeur or emotional depth to make it truly memorable.
too bad for us seems poised to reignite the energy, but it never quite delivers. With a build that teases a rousing climax, the tenderly delivered track leaves listeners waiting for a crescendo that frustratingly never arrives. Instead, it meanders without landing a definitive emotional punch, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.
The album closer, dance all night, offers a sweet and lighthearted finish, but it too feels underwhelming as a finale. While the track has a breezy charm and a catchy chorus, it lacks the kind of energy or emotional weight one might expect from an album-ender. It doesn’t rise to the occasion of wrapping the record with a bang or a deeply resonant moment, leaving the conclusion feeling a bit flat. The latter half of the album isn’t without its merits, but listeners may feel that it pales in comparison to soaring heights reached by its earlier offerings.
Despite its imperfections, Rosie is a statement of Rosé’s artistic evolution so far. It’s an album that is distinctly personal – afterall, its a bold move to strip away the K-pop sheen and let the imperfections shine through. Will it leave listeners new and old satisfied, however? Most likely not.
