Ruby

Ruby is the debut album by Korean, K-Pop, superstar JENNIE

Between December 2024 and March 2025, all 4 members of BLACKPINK would release their solo debut projects. Typical of these 4 member gender group solo splits, these 4 debuts feel very different from one another, and I feel that’s especially true for Ruby. Creatively, JENNIE has always kind of operated differently from her peers, from being the first to start releasing solo stuff and even start a record label, to being in The Weeknd’s The Idol to her handful of collaborations with Western artists that you wouldn’t expect to even be on her radar. And I think that Unique energy, carries over, and really shines, with this debut.

If there’s one word I’d use to describe this album, it’s diverse. From the sound, to the writing, to the performances, to the other people who are on it. It’s really hard to pin down the core identity of this album, it’s a bit rap, but it’s also a bit RnB and bit pop too at the same time, and a bunch of other stuff as well. And we have a feature list that has FKJ, Dua Lipa and Dominic Fike at the same time, and production credits that feel equally like it was pulled out of a hat. While some people would think it’s an issue, that JENNIE doesn’t have a clear vision and just throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks, but i really it’s, she’s trying to play with her range right out the gate, and seeing what works and what doesn’t, and for what it’s worth, I think it works more that it doesn’t.

Really there’s only one track here that I don’t like, and that’s “with the IE (way up)”. I can’t say it’s really, bad, in any major way, but I’d also be lying up my ass if I said I also found interest or enjoyable about the song really. I could also try and bring up ”F.T.S.” and say that if feels lacking as a whole, but I’d also say I tend to like it more than I don’t, and I can’t say that for “with the IE”.

There’s so much i could really try and pick and say for the best tracks, but i think this is what im most confident I like the best.
“Seoul City” is this kind of mystifying track, with how the production and JENNIE’s vocals work together to make a really mystifying atmosphere, that hooks me into the song everytime i listen to it.
If I were to make a Gender Affirming playlist, “Mantra” would absolutely be there. It’s short, but nonetheless sugary sweet, with some really vibrant upbeat production and JENNIE oozing a kind of confidence and self-love that lifts you up even at your lowest.
“like JENNIE” is banger in every sense of the word. JENNIE goes off on here, at points rapping with so much hunger that it really makes me think she could go toe to toe with even someone like Megan. And the energy is so infectious, that, I uh, I think I might’ve contracted something… fuck…
“twin” really resonated with me, in a way most songs like it never can really. Because I’m aromantic, these kind of sad romance songs don’t really hit to me in a way deeper than empathy. But the while idea of drifting away from someone that you used to be really close with, that’s the core concept behind this song, really gets to me in a certain place I don’t like digging deep into often. And I don’t think I can listen to this song that much, before it makes me cry. Yeah, this got more emotional than i intended to, but uh, we only have one song left, so let’s get to it, and, boy is it a big one.
I can’t really express how much I love “ExtraL”. I first listened to it around when the album first dropped, and I immediately fell in love. It’s this fast-paced, uber confident track, sucks you in and smothers you with its vibe until it ends. JENNIE is great on here, she’s got a very assertive energy the whole time, like if Mean Girls but Regina was a respectable role model. But Doechii steals the show with her verse, she just slides on this bitch, in the most awe-inspiring way. In just 20 seconds she makes the song her own and it is truly incredible to witness, I really think any and all Doechii hate from the big 25 is invalid from this alone.

Ruby really surprised me. I was definitely expecting to really like the album, but not THIS much. Throughout this whole project, JENNIE shows a lot of versatility in what she’s capable of doing as an artist, making some of the best music I’ve heard all year. And given that she started her own Record Label while this album was in production, I can only believe that this won’t be the last solo project she releases, which makes me very intrigued to see how she develops further on her own from here.

5 Favourite Tracks:
ExtraL, twin, like JENNIE, Mantra, Seoul City

Least Favourite Track:
with the IE (way up)

Best features:
Doechii (ExtraL), Kali Uchis (Damn Right), Childish Gambino (singing only) (Damn Right)

Worst Feature:
Childish Gambino (rapping) (Damn Right)

Best 3 Track Run:
ExtraL —> Mantra —> Love Hangover