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Alter Ego (Lisa album)

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Alter Ego
Close-up of Lisa in a black hood with her head tilted to the right and her hand over her mouth.
Digital and standard cover
Studio album by
Lisa
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2025 (2025-02-28)
Recorded2024–2025
Studio
Language
  • English
  • Spanish
Label
Producer
Lisa chronology
Lalisa
(2021) 		Alter Ego
(2025)
Singles from Alter Ego
  1. "Rockstar"
    Released: June 27, 2024
  2. "New Woman"
    Released: August 15, 2024
  3. "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)"
    Released: October 3, 2024
  4. "Born Again"
    Released: February 6, 2025

Alter Ego is the upcoming debut solo studio album by Thai rapper and singer Lisa. It is scheduled to be released on February 28, 2025, through Lloud and RCA Records. The album will mark her first solo release since departing from YG Entertainment and Interscope Records in 2023. The album consists of twelve tracks and features guest appearances from Rosalía, Doja Cat and Raye. It was supported by four singles: "Rockstar", "New Woman", "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)", and "Born Again".

Background

[edit]

In December 2023, Lisa announced her departure from YG Entertainment for her solo work, while remaining with YG to continue her activities as a member of Blackpink.[1] She established her own management company named Lloud in February 2024 and signed with RCA Records in April to release solo music in partnership with Lloud.[2][3] In May 2024, Legend Music Studio in Phuket, Thailand posted a photo with Lisa on Facebook and shared that RCA Records flew in a team including one the best vocal producers in the world to record several tracks with the singer at the studio.[4] Lisa first teased the title of her upcoming album in the music video for the single "New Woman" in August, in which multiple women were shown reading a magazine named Alter Ego.[5] In an interview for her Billboard cover story in November, she shared that she was working hard on the album "trying to figure it out, the track list and everything, what I can change in there" and played some of the unfinished songs for the reporter.[6]

Concept and title

[edit]

Lisa emulates five different characters on Alter Ego, with each one having their own name and representing a unique aspect of her personality.[7] The five "alter egos", named Roxi, Kiki, Vixi, Sunni, and Speedi, each correspond to various tracks and feature on album versions with their own cover art.[8] According to Lisa, the concept came about as she was "trying so many different kinds of music styles while I was recording." Wanting to incorporate various genres into one album, she thought, "Oh, well I’ve never done this kind of stuff before, but it sounds great. Why not just kind of like put all the different styles into the album and call it Alter Ego?"[7]

The album's promotional campaign uses a five-point star as a recurring emblem to represent the five alter egos, while its trailer video features the rapper in five locations, one for each persona: a black rock structure, an outer-space catwalk, an enchanted garden, a green laser-beam motorcycle track, and a volcanic red runway.[9] The first alter ego Roxi is inspired by the song "Rockstar" and is depicted on cover art holding a guitar in an enchanted garden, with an accompanying description describing her as a rockstar that lives to "entertain and always command the stage".[10] The second alter ego Sunni, deriving from "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)", is a free-spirited French speaker with brown curly hair who has a "je ne sais quoi for sun-kissed days and sea-breezy nights".[11] The third alter ego Kiki, based on "New Woman", is an Internet lover with a sassy Y2K aesthetic who can be found "burning CDs or finding something new to obsess over" and is styled with pink hair and a pink wardrobe.[12] The fourth alter ego Speedi, corresponding to "Lifestyle", is a sports car driver with bright orange hair who is "built for the rush, wired for the win" and has "just installed the NOS kit" in her car.[13] The fifth alter ego Vixi accompanies the song "Fuck Up the World" and is "the one they love to call the 'Villain'".[14]

Promotion and release

[edit]

On November 11, during the Lisa Fan Meetup in Asia 2024 tour, a snippet of a cinematic teaser video for an upcoming project was released in which Lisa plays guitar in a desolate cyberpunk landscape and summons a neon purple light from the sky.[15] The teaser's caption revealed one letter of the project's title, while a countdown also appeared on Lisa's website due to complete one week later on the 19th.[16] Further segments of the teaser were released during the tour alongside another letter of the project's name. After the final Hong Kong show on November 19, Lisa released the full three-minute trailer and officially announced her first studio album Alter Ego would be released on February 28, 2025.[17] She also revealed the album's cover art, featuring a close-up photo of Lisa in a black hood bringing her hand to her face and showing off spiky black nails.[9] On January 6, 2025, Lisa posted a short video clip of a text exchange saying "Roxi has entered the chat", referring to one of the alter egos portrayed on the album. The video ended by pinpointing a distinct location corresponding to the character, while she unveiled the description and album cover art for the character on her website; she repeated the same process to reveal the remaining alter egos Sunni, Kiki, Speedi, and Vixi.[10] On February 18, Lisa announced the launch of her comic company Lalisa Comics in partnership with Zero Zero Entertainment.[18] The company's first release is a limited edition 56-page graphic novel titled Alter-Ego: The Official Comic, a companion to the album authored by Lisa and illustrated by Minomiyabi set for release on March 24.[19] Inspired by the album's concept, the graphic novel's storyline features the five alter egos as friends in a cyberpunk city working together to save Vixi from being trapped in virtual reality.[20]

Singles

[edit]

Four singles supported Alter Ego. The lead single, "Rockstar", was released on June 27, 2024.[21] The song debuted at number four on the Billboard Global 200 and number one on the Global Excl. US, earning her third top-ten hit on the former and her first chart-topper on the latter.[22] It debuted became her highest-charting entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 70.[23] The album's second single, "New Woman" featuring Spanish singer Rosalía, was released on August 15.[24] It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Global 200 and number six on the Global Excl. US, becoming Lisa's fourth top-ten hit on the latter.[25][26] It also debuted at number 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[27] The third single, "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)", was released on October 3.[28] The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Global 200 and number 14 on the Global Excl. US.[25][29] The fourth single, "Born Again" featuring Doja Cat and Raye, was released on February 6, 2025.[30]

Live performances

[edit]

On September 11, 2024, Lisa debuted "New Woman" and "Rockstar" at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York.[31] She presented both songs and "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)" before its release as a headliner for the Global Citizen Festival in New York City on September 28.[32] On October 15, she performed "Rockstar" and "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)" at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024.[33] She also showcased the three singles on the Lisa Fan Meetup in Asia 2024 tour, which comprised five shows between November 11 and 19.[34] On New Year's Eve, Lisa performed "Rockstar", "New Woman", and the "Santa Baby" remix of "Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)" as a headliner for Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025 in Bangkok.[35]

Track listing

[edit]
Alter Ego track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Rockstar"
  • Tedder
  • Homaee
2:18
4."New Woman" (featuring Rosalía)
  • Ilya
  • Martin
2:59
7."Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)"
Rykeyz2:35

Notes

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Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Alter Ego
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various February 28, 2025
[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "블랙핑크, 팀 활동만 YG서…지수·제니·리사·로제 개별 계약 않기로(종합)" [Blackpink, Team Activities Only with YG… Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, Rosé Not to Sign Individual Contracts (Comprehensive)]. Newsis (in Korean). December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Ziwei, Puah (February 8, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa launches her own management company, LLOUD". NME. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Aswad, Jem (April 10, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa and Her Company Lloud Co. Partner With RCA Records". Variety. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "So this happened a few weeks ago! RCA Records flew in a team that included one of the best vocal producers in the world to record a bunch of tracks with Lisa from Black/Pink. A long, but beautiful day! They were all so nice, including Lisa!". Legend Music Studio. May 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 1, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Facebook.
  5. ^ Kickham, Dylan (November 12, 2024). "Lisa Teases A Thunderous New Song Called "Alter Ego"". Nylon. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Feeney, Nolan (November 14, 2024). "'Call Me Boss Lisa': Blackpink Star Tells All As She Orchestrates Her Solo Breakout". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Dailey, Hannah (January 27, 2025). "LISA of BLACKPINK Calls Doja Cat Her 'Dream' Duet Partner Ahead of 'Born Again' Collaboration". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  8. ^ Pascual, Pamela (December 18, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa unveils 'Alter Ego' album versions". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Dailey, Hannah (November 19, 2024). "Lisa of Blackpink Announces Debut Solo Album 'Alter Ego': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Bakshi, Peuli (January 8, 2025). "BLACKPINK's Lisa unveils alter ego ROXI ahead of album release; plans to live to 'entertain' and 'command the stage'". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "LISA Introduces Sunni". Lisa Official. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  12. ^ Das, Hrishita (January 23, 2025). "BLACKPINK's Lisa reveals Y2K-inspired alter ego Kiki ahead of solo album release; friendship with Rosalía, Aeries born and more". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "LISA Introduces Speedi". Lisa Official. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "LISA Introduces Vixi". Lisa Official. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Dailey, Hannah (November 13, 2024). "Lisa of Blackpink Hints at New Project With Cyberpunk Teaser & Cryptic Countdown". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Chin, Carmen (November 13, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa drops new teaser, begins mysterious countdown". NME. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Richardson, Kalia (November 19, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa Embraces New Aura in 'Alter Ego' Debut Album Teaser". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  18. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (February 18, 2025). "Lisa Launches Comic Company to Accompany Debut Album 'Alter Ego'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Dailey, Hannah (February 18, 2025). "LISA of BLACKPINK Launches Lalisa Comics Ahead of 'Alter Ego' Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  20. ^ Mier, Tomás (February 18, 2025). "Lisa Launches Comic-Book Company to Accompany Debut Album 'Alter-Ego'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  21. ^ Dailey, Hannah (June 18, 2024). "BLACKPINK's LISA Announces New Solo Single 'Rockstar': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Trust, Gary (July 8, 2024). "Lisa Earns Her First Billboard Global Excl. U.S. No. 1 With Debut of 'Rockstar'". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  23. ^ Billboard Charts [@billboardcharts] (July 8, 2024). "LISA's "Rockstar" debuts at No. 70 on this week's #Hot100. It's becomes the highest-charting solo song of her career. She previously charted with "Lalisa" (No. 84 peak) and "Money" (No. 90), both in 2021" (Tweet). Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Mier, Tomás (August 6, 2024). "Lisa and Rosalía Will Link Up on Single 'New Woman'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Lisa of Blackpink Chart History (Billboard Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Trust, Gary (August 26, 2024). "Billie Eilish's 'Birds of a Feather' Flies High Atop Global Charts for Third Week". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  27. ^ Billboard Charts [@billboardcharts] (August 26, 2024). "LISA's "New Woman" featuring @rosalia debuts at No. 97 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved August 26, 2024 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Aniftos, Rania (October 4, 2024). "LISA Drops 'Moonlit Floor': Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  29. ^ "Lisa of Blackpink Chart History (Billboard Global Excl. US)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  30. ^ Chin, Carmen (February 7, 2025). "BLACKPINK's Lisa drops new single 'Born Again', featuring Doja Cat and RAYE". NME. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  31. ^ Bloom, Madison (September 12, 2024). "Watch Blackpink's Lisa Perform "New Woman" and "Rockstar" at 2024 MTV VMAs". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  32. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (September 29, 2024). "Lisa of Blackpink Debuts New Song 'Moonlit Floor' at Global Citizen Fest 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  33. ^ Flam, Charna (October 15, 2024). "K-Pop Superstar Lisa Opens Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on a Motorcycle with Rockin' Performance of 'Rockstar'". People. Archived from the original on October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  34. ^ Ziwei, Puah (September 24, 2024). "BLACKPINK's Lisa announces 2024 'Fan Meetup' tour in Asia". NME. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "Lisa Blackpink ushers in 2025 at Bangkok countdown". The Nation. December 31, 2024. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  36. ^ Ziwei, Puah (June 28, 2024). "Blackpink's Lisa is a 'Rockstar' in her new single and music video". NME. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  37. ^ Aniftos, Rania (October 4, 2024). "Lisa Drops 'Moonlit Floor': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  38. ^ Alter Ego release formats:
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