Album Review: "Alter Ego" - Lisa

Laylah Little
Mar 11
9 min read

Finally, the K-pop and Global Superstar Lisa has released her highly anticipated debut album, “Alter Ego." Throughout the album, we get to meet her alter egos, Vixi, Sunni, Roxi, Speedi, and Kiki, who encompasses Lisa’s overall versatility with a variety of different genres and overall themes of confidence, empowerment, self-growth, luxury, and love.

TRACKLIST

Born Again (feat. Doja Cat & RAYE)

Rockstar

Elastigirl

Thunder

New Woman (feat. ROSALÍA)

FXCK UP THE WORLD (feat. Future)

Rapunzel (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)

Moonlight Floor (Kiss Me)

When I’m With You (feat. Tyla)

BADGRRL

Lifestyle

Chill

Dream

Debuting in 2016 under YG Entertainment, Lisa is the youngest member of Blackpink and is known to be the group's main rapper and main dancer. The girls quickly gained immense popularity both in South Korea and overseas and became one of the biggest girl groups from the 2010's. In 2021, Lisa would be the third member to make her solo debut under YG, releasing the single "LALISA," with the lead single being the same name and her smash, hip-hop dance hit "MONEY." Towards the end of 2023, the girls announced they would go on hiatus to focus on their solo endeavors, and each member started their own management to manage their own solo work. On February 4th, 2024, Lisa announced her own management company, LLOUD, and soon signed under RCA Records to release her future solo works, including her debut album, "Alter Ego."

Born Again (feat. Doja Cat and RAYE)

“Born Again” is the perfect opening for the album and was the final single to be released. As the title suggests, Lisa tells us that she has been reborn with this disco-esc track with Doja Cat and RAYE. The song talks about her growth as an individual and being reborn into a better version of herself, which pays homage to her alter egos. She isn’t the person she was once before, and she is addicted to being someone new. Lisa is multidimensional, and she understands that. The track is sleek and classy with strings in the background but also funky and upbeat, demonstrating the confidence that all three of these women exude. Doja Cat and RAYE’s features can be surprising at first, but similar to Lisa, they are both multi-faceted within their catalog and are always trying to reinvent themselves with every project they put out.

Rockstar

“Rockstar” is the second track on “Alter Ego” and the first single released back in the summer of 2024. The song features a sample from the iconic hit from Tame Impala, “New Person, Same Old Mistakes." Lisa once again displays her confidence in this hard-hitting and exhilarating sound, making it known that she is the definition of a rockstar. Lyrics such as “Every city that I go’s my city” and “Make your favorite singer wanna rap, baby, lala” give the image that Lisa knows that she is the topic of conversation and isn’t someone who will lay low. The song is also very fast-paced and almost feels like you are racing with her on the track, giving that aspect of the fast, chaotic lifestyle of a rockstar. It only slows down during the bridge, where you hear the Tame Impala sample the most, and that’s when it seems like Lisa is finally basking in all of her glory before the song picks up again with a harsh but satisfying beat drop.

Elastigirl

“Elastigirl” is the bouncy, sexy third track off of “Alter Ego." The strong theme of self-empowerment is heard heavily in this song, with bass drums booming and some Thai pop elements throughout. Lisa showcased that she is versatile and is not a one-trick pony. She has many tricks up her sleeve and knows that whatever you throw her way, she will make it work. With lyrics like, “You can watch me hit the ground, and I snap right back,” and “Oh baby, this ain’t a performance, it’s a show,” Lisa knows that she can adapt and mold into anything she wants, similar to the superhero Elastigirl.

Thunder

“Thunder” is the fourth track on “Alter Ego,” and here Lisa takes a direct jab at her haters. Since being a member of Blackpink, Lisa has always faced criticism, no matter what she has done. This song is the perfect clap back to those critics, and throughout the song, she discusses how she deserves to be where she is now but also deserves more success in the future. Lyrics such as “You can’t put me in a box, you can’t make me stop” and “I’ll take my place up ahead, know you said I’ll never get by” demonstrate that she doesn't want to be seen as one-dimensional. The song is electric and powerful, a great way to see into Lisa’s “never back down” personality. Also, a nice touch to the production is how you can envision hearing the thunder with her "uh huhs," which is when the beat kicks in.

New Woman (feat. ROSALÍA)

“New Woman” is the fifth track and was the second lead single off “Alter Ego,” featuring ROSALÍA. Like “Born Again," Lisa is all about learning more about who she is as a person and becoming a new woman in this new age of her life. She highlights how she wants to start brand new and leave any pain she has had in the past. She wants to move forward and look at the positives in her life, soaking in everything she has experienced. I think this song best describes this new era of Lisa as this track still has that bold confidence that she is known for, but she has taken a new, fresh approach to it. The song is very light and airy, with beautiful synths and percussion that make you feel like you’re on top of the world. ROSALÍA adds a perfect touch to the track and helps switch the dynamic up, giving the listeners something to look forward to when they return.

FXCK UP THE WORLD (feat. Future)

“FXCK UP THE WORLD” is the final lead single and the sixth track on “Alter Ego," featuring the rapper Future. This track best exudes Lisa’s alter ego, Vixi, as she is known to wreak havoc for fun. This song showcases Lisa’s party-girl side, wanting to create as much chaos as possible while having fun and being in control. With lyrics “Walked in causing havoc, yes that is a habit,” and “Stay as busy as I want to, takin’ trips to escape a bit,” Lisa is showcasing that she loves to stay in her lane of business, but sometimes she just needs to go a little crazy to stay sane. The hard-hitting track makes you want to sing along with the girls on a night out and be more reckless than usual. It’s such a fun song and so in your face that the chorus is constantly stuck in your head. Future adds a slick rap that slides smoothly on the beat and is a great transition within the song. The track is more rap-focused, so I think having a well-known and talented rapper like Future on it was a perfect addition. Lisa also released a solo version of the song, which replaces Future's rap with her own.

Rapunzel (Feat. Megan Thee Stallion)

“Rapunzel” is a laidback but up-tempo, crisp, percussion-based track, similar to New Woman. It’s also the seventh track on “Alter Ego and features the Miss Hottie herself, Megan Thee Stallion. In this track, Lisa describes her lavish lifestyle and how she is again soaking in everything she has earned over her career. She used the analogy of Rapunzel’s hair and her achievements, such as wealth, saying the two are incredibly long and luxurious. This song also displays how Lisa wants to brag about herself and her success, not feeling ashamed about it one bit. Megan and Lisa share that in common, so having them on a track together works so well. Megan gives a fun, classic Megan Thee Stallion rap, incorporating that “Hot Girl Energy” we all know and love. Like "FXCK UP THE WORLD," Lisa also released a solo version of the song with her own rap verse.

Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)

“Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” is the eighth track on “Alter Ego” and the third single. Lisa uses another well-known song for the sample, this time using "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer. The song takes the classic 90’s pop-folk love ballad and turns it into a pop, disco-based track where Lisa describes the sensation of falling in love for the first time. She explained that she had not written this particular song, and it wasn't about a specific experience. However, she does sing about being in love when you’ve never experienced it before and how you can navigate those reoccurring feelings.

When I'm With You (feat. Tyla)

“When I’m With You” is the ninth track of “Alter Ego” and seems to be the continuation of “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)." The track features the South African pop star Tyla and has a smooth trap and R&B beat. The song describes how you are now fully committed to your partner and can’t imagine being with anyone else but them, even despite other circumstances. Lisa and Tyla also sing about how their partner has brought out a new side in them, and they can be fully themselves without judgment. Lyrics such as “Oh yeah, just look how you got me, got me out of my body,” and “Anyways, any day, I make plans for you, like it when you tell me what to do” describe how love-struck they are and smitten over their partner, to the point they would drop anything for them. Tyla’s light and R&B-laced vocals add a lot of sweetness to the track and go hand in hand with Lisa’s rap verse. In contrast to "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)," Lisa and Tyla participated in writing this track.

BADGRRRL

“BADGRRL” is the tenth track off “Alter Ego,” and Lisa is taking the reigns on her relationship. She talks about how she wants to be spontaneous with her partner and doesn’t want to keep up the nice girl persona anymore. She is completely letting go and wants to be more wild, similar to “FXCK UP THE WORLD." You definitely have that carefree feeling when listening, and though the song is short, it’s the perfect segway to the next couple of songs off the album.

Lifestyle

“Lifestyle” is the eleventh track off “Alter Ego,” which is another fast-paced, upbeat track that gives you a feeling of exhilaration and party hype, similar to "Rockstar" and "FXCK UP THE WORLD." The best way to describe the song is a luxurious club anthem, and Lisa once again talks about how she is the definition of an “it girl." She talks about how she’s in control of her life and that her success just comes naturally to her. Lisa’s success is her lifestyle, and she has reached an icon status that she is obsessed with.

Chill

“Chill” is the twelfth song off of “Alter Ego” and is a cold break-up song. Lisa talks about how the relationship with her partner won’t last long and that she isn’t ready for a committed relationship, which contrasts the lyrics in “When I’m With You." Lisa once again shows that she has different sides of her, and sometimes she can be a heartbreaker, even if she doesn’t mean it. Throughout the song, she is telling her partner that they have to get over their relationship and realize that this is just who she is as a lover. With lyrics such as “Mean what I say, boy, I ain’t gonna tease ya, blame it on a love gone wrong, yeah, yeah,” and “Only want you for the thrills, come on fast, it won’t last, you need to ch-ch-chill,” displays that she isn’t going to lead her partner on and is going to be straightforward with them when it comes to ending it all. The track's eerie and chilling synth production makes sense with the song's title, giving it almost a horror-like feel.

Dream

“Dream” is the final song on “Alter Ego” and ends the album on a bittersweet but heartfelt note. Lisa talks about her partner who got away and how she regrets leaving them. She reminisces about her lover and how she wants to hear back from them, even if it’s just a simple conversation. It’s obvious, however, that her partner does not reciprocate her feelings, and she knows that this idea of them coming back is only just a dream in her head. Lyrics like “If all that we were is all that we’ll ever be, it’s bittersweet, at least a girl can dream,” and “It’s like you’re here with me, whenever I close my eyes, it’s taking me back in time,” describes how Lisa is feeling perfectly and the difference between her hidden fantasies and reality. The heartbreaking and innocent ballad ends with the lyric, “Can we be friends, at least,” indicating how badly she wants to see her partner one last time. This song, in particular, shows Lisa's more vulnerable side, which contrasts some of the other tracks but is a great way to close out this chapter of her debut album.

As a big fan and supporter of Blackpink, I was so excited to hear what all the girls would bring to the table regarding solo work. All of them are extremely talented in various fields, and I knew that being under their own management would give them more control. Lisa did not disappoint with her album; the overall concept was fun, yet interesting to see how she sees herself. I love how she took a moment to show her fans that there is more to her than what we see and that she has layers to her as a person and an artist. The overall production and variety in genres made this such a great listen, plus knowing that Lisa participated in writing most of the songs was amazing. My favorite song off the album is "When I'm With You," and I hope Lisa does more R&B-inspired tracks as this is her first take on the genre. It's definitely one of my favorite albums so far in 2025, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us this upcoming year!

Written By Laylah Little