Rosé’s highly anticipated sophomore album, rosie, dropped 6 December, and it’s safe to say that it lives up to the hype.
The singer, who executive-produced the album and co-wrote all 12 tracks, showcases her incredible vocal range and songwriting prowess. From the powerful and emotional ballads, to upbeat and addictive pop beats, the album seamlessly blends genres and emotions.
The opening song, “number one girl”, is a moving ballad that showcases Rosé’s soulful vocals. The song’s emotional lyrics and melancholic melody resonate with listeners, conveying a sense of longing and heartbreak.
Track two of her album “3am” is a dreamy pop-funk track that explores a nostalgic relationship. Rosé goes back to the past where she acknowledges the red flags in her past relationship while also cherishing the positive aspects of the connection. The lyrics highlight the intimacy and vulnerability shared in her past relationship and emphasise the personal and subjective nature of the relationship, suggesting that external opinions don’t matter.
With nostalgia and time being the main themes of the album, “two years” is a bright and energetic synth-pop song that explores the feeling of lost time. The powerful backing vocals express a sense of anger that Rosé only hints at in her own vocals.
“toxic till the end” then invites the listeners to break free from a toxic relationship. It’s full of energy and excitement, and it captures the feeling of finally escaping from something that’s been holding them back.
“drinks or coffee” is a catchy and upbeat song with energetic drum beats that creates a fun atmosphere that perfectly complements the song’s theme of past encounters and lingering feelings. Rosé’s vocals are smooth and soulful, adding to the overall charm of the song.
It is to no surprise that “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars, is the album’s biggest hit. This sensational pop anthem showcases the duo’s incredible chemistry and it lures listeners in with its catchy melody, energetic beats, and powerful vocals. “APT.” quickly rose to international fame.
“gameboy” is a nostalgic ballad with an acoustic guitar loop reminiscent of early 2000s pop and R&B. Rosé’s vulnerable vocals convey a sense of longing and heartbreak over a past relationship with the title as a reference to her supposed ex-partner, and the song is connected to “two years” through its themes of lost time and longing.
“stay a little longer” is a heartfelt ballad about the pain of heartbreak and separation. The song’s lyrics express the longing for a lost love and the desire to hold onto the memories of the relationship. The music is slow and emotional, similar to “number one girl”, perfectly capturing the sadness and regret of the lyrics.
“not the same” is a powerful ballad in which Rosé’s vocals soar as she confronts a former partner, who she thought was different. The song’s bridge is a dramatic moment, with her vocals reaching a powerful crescendo as she expresses her growing realisation about her ex partner and she blames herself for trusting in the relationship.
“call it the end” is a song about a relationship ending. Rosé is asking her partner if they should break up, but she’s also confused about what to call them now. She’s not sure what the future holds for them, and she’s clearly heartbroken.
“too bad for us” is about a relationship that has ended. Rosé sings about being too ambitious with her past relationship, which led to their break up, leaving her alone and struggling to move on.
Ending off the album is “dance all night”, a fun and upbeat song about enjoying life and living in the moment. Rosé sings about dancing the night away with friends and forgetting about her worries. The lyrics are simple but effective, and they capture the feeling of a good night out perfectly.
Overall, I give rosie a solid 8/10, as it is bold and takes listeners through the ups and downs of Rosé’s past relationship; the album solidifies Rosé’s position as a global superstar.
Image credit: 2024 ROSÉ under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the World excluding Korea
