BLACKPINK members Kim Ji-soo, Jennie Kim, Lalisa Manobal and Roseanne Park released “Born Pink,” a smashing second album that blends genres and sounds.

BLACKPINK members Kim Ji-soo, Jennie Kim, Lalisa Manobal and Roseanne Park released “Born Pink,” a smashing second album that blends genres and sounds.

BLACKPINK has gone where no all-female K-pop group has gone before, and its latest album just solidifies its place in the music industry.

The group’s sophomore album “Born Pink” is dripping with swagger, glam and brutal honesty. 

The heavily pop and hip-hop inspired album blends genres and showcases the members’ musical craft, chemistry and charisma.

Comprising members Jennie Kim, Lalisa Manobal, Roseanne Park and Kim Ji-soo, known mononymously as Jennie, Lisa, Rosé  and Jisoo, respectively, BLACKPINK has taken the music industry by storm.

From being the first all-female K-pop group to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart, to becoming the first K-pop group to headline at Coachella, the quartet has excelled in the industry.

After going on hiatus in 2020, the group is back with its second album, which is a short and sweet eight tracks long. BLACKPINK members waste no time in setting the tone for the record as it opens with the blazing banger “Pink Venom.”

The track, which stunned crowds at the 2022 Video Music Awards and was even featured on Taylor Swift’s TikTok account, is the opener for a reason. It is an earworm that captures all of what BLACKPINK does best — Park’s strong vocals, rapid-fire raps from Malobal and Kim, and a catchy, danceable beat.

Combining traditional Korean instrumentation with a heavy hip-hop beat, the song is distinctive yet perfectly recognizable as the K-pop girl group. The song opens with the four members chanting “BLACKPINK” over the plucking of a geomungo, before erupting into an explosive pop rap track.

As the members sing, “Taste that pink venom,” the lyrics remind listeners that BLACKPINK is fun, but also dangerous. Although the lyricism is not as sharp and tactful as the group’s other songs, “Pink Venom” makes up for it with its rattling beat and irresistible melody.

The second track “Shut Down” opens with a violin sample from Niccolo Paganini's 1826 piece “La Campanella” before hitting listeners with a bass drop and BLACKPINK’s catchphrase, “BLACKPINK in your area.”

“Shut Down,” the strongest song on the album, is a braggy anthem flaunting the group’s massive success in the music industry. With unapologetic lyrics, a catchy chorus and Manobal and Kim’s rapping skills at the forefront, “Shut Down” is one of the best songs the group has ever released.

Park shuts down haters as she sings in the pre-chorus, “Praying for my downfall, many have tried, baby.” Then the group harmonizes as each member sings the smashing melody, “When we pull up, you know it’s a shutdown.” It is a powerhouse of a track and a dynamic addition to the album. 

Departing from the hip-hop inspired tracks, “Hard to Love” stands out as one of the most purely pop songs on the album. Park shines in her role as lead vocalist as she croons, “I’ll make it feel like heaven, but I swear I’m not a saint.”

The only time this high-energy album slows is for “The Happiest Girl,” a tender ballad sung entirely in English. Ji-soo’s vocals stand out on this vulnerable track as she sings about trying to be happy through a heartbreak. All four members sing, showcasing their musical abilities as well as their emotional ranges.

“Born Pink” reveals how all four members are extremely talented and multifaceted artists. Throughout the entire album, Manobal and Kim’s rapid-fire raps in both Korean and English, along with Ji-soo and Park’s smooth, strong vocals, affirm that this group has true musical skill.

Whether they are flaunting their success, calling out haters or breaking down their walls to show vulnerability, the members of BLACKPINK do it with razor-sharp honesty and authenticity.

“Born Pink” is a testament to what fans love about BLACKPINK — it shines as a self-empowered, glamorous and gratifying collection of music that knows exactly what it is.

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