Album Review: Ruby

The Ruby album cover painting by Simon Henwood and designed by Steffan MacMilla.

Jennie Kim, a pivotal member of the K-Pop group BLACKPINK, furthers her solo journey with the release of her debut album, Ruby. Unveiled on March 7, 2025, under her independent label Odd Atelier in collaboration with Columbia Records, Ruby serves as a bold declaration of Jennie's artistic evolution and personal narrative. 

Ruby starts off with an ethereal intro track featuring FKJ, leading you to believe the next song and maybe even the entire album will have similar light melodies, however this is not the case. The album takes a quick turn to “like JENNIE” an upbeat track with a theme that I feel like is a tired repeat of similar self-anthems released by other artists. However, the track itself is still catchy so the repeat can be forgiven. 

The album's lead single, "Mantra," introduces listeners to a minimalist yet infectious hook that underscores Jennie's ability to command attention with subtlety. The track's insistent rhythm and Jennie's nuanced delivery makes for a lethal combo to get stuck in your head. 

The four collaborations on Ruby are possibly the best tracks on the album. "Handlebars," featuring Dua Lipa, redeems their previous collab and stands out as a testament to their chemistry, with both artists exchanging verses that reflect a mutual understanding and camaraderie. Their previous collaboration felt disjointed, but here, they achieve a synergy that elevates the track. Similarly, "Damn Right," co-produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and featuring Kali Uchis and Childish Gambino, ventures into sultry territory.

The trio's interplay creates an atmosphere of hushed intimacy, with Jennie's whispered refrains adding to the track's allure. “Love Hangover” featuring Dominic Fike and “ExtraL” featuring Doechii are possibly the strongest collaborations on the album both lyrically and sonically, which explains why they were released as singles before the entire album roll-out.  

The end of the album unfortunately doesn’t live up to the preceding tracks. "Twin," an acoustic ballad, suffers from generic lyricism that fails to leave a lasting impression. "Seoul City" meanders without clear direction, lacking the cohesion found in stronger tracks.

Despite these missteps, Jennie’s willingness to explore different sounds is admirable. 

Ruby is a multifaceted gem that reflects Jennie's journey towards self-discovery and artistic maturity. While not flawless, the album's strengths far outweigh its shortcomings, offering listeners a further glimpse into versatility that Jennie possesses as a solo artist. Ruby not only solidifies her individual identity but also sets a promising foundation for her future solo career in the music industry.