Flush with 80’s-style guitar melodies and unexpectedly soulful lyrics, Blackpink’s newest album, headed by the retro-pop-inspired title track “Lovesick Girls,” was a welcome throwback to better times. 

Group members Jennie, Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo made headlines last April for their US debut at Coachella and again in August for their release titled“Ice Cream,” featuring Selena Gomez. Their music video “How You Like That”, released in June, dominated both Korean and American music charts and set multiple Guinness world records, including “Most Viewed YouTube Video in 24 Hours” and “Most Watched YouTube Video Premiere.” “We grew into something we didn’t even know was possible,” said Jennie, the group’s fierce rapper, singer, and lyricist.

The release of Blackpink’s first full album in early October included diverse songs like “Bet U Wanna”, a feel-good release featuring American rapper Cardi B, and “Pretty Savage”, an explicit track led by rappers Jennie and Lisa that claps back at skinny-shaming over a rolling electric instrumental.

The album is Blackpink’s bid for the global stage, with over half of the song lyrics in English, collaborations with famous Western artists and producers and full-English promotions & interviews. “We are four different girls, from four different worlds… we wanted to express the diversity of the group, and all the different genres that we could show you guys,” Jennie said in an interview with Hollywood’s Scott Evans. 

There is certainly much in store for the future of Blackpink—the story behind their success is anticipated to release in mid-October in the form of a Netflix documentary called “Blackpink: Light Up the Sky”. Rosé’s long-awaited solo is expected to release sometime in December, and the dance practice for “Lovesick Girls” is yet to drop. Blackpink’s pioneering music releases and ever-growing connection with their fans is one of a few bright spots of 2020.