On Oct. 23, BLACKPINK member, LISA, released her six-track extended play “Press Play.” LISA created her image as a member of the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Although not her first solo project, this EP explores her identity more deeply than her debut single album, “LALISA,” and her first full-length album, “Alter Ego.”
“This EP is about my journey from my roots to where I am right now today,” LISA said in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. “There’s a lot of Thai [elements] in the song, as well [as] in the EP.”
The album marks an attempt to connect to her Thai identity and cultural roots with her music, while also continuing to include her typical pop-song sound through cultural references, lyrics and production choices.
“It explains more how she came from Thailand,” said junior Dylan Soo Hoo. “As well as how she got into music … She [explained] how it was hard for her [to join a] K-pop group with no Korean skills at all. And of course, how she’s sacrificed so much for it.”
The EP opens up with the single “SaWaDiKa,” which was released on Sep. 3. Meaning “hello” in Thai, the title reflects her goal of incorporating Thai culture into her music. She also introduces her confidence through rapid-fire rap verses, heavy bass and an energetic chorus. Its focus on success and luxury maintains the bold image that has defined much of her solo music, as first introduced with her 2021 single “MONEY.” “SaWaDiKa” also debuted at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her highest debut on the chart as a solo artist.
The following tracks, “V12” and “Cobra” are consistent with the EP’s overall energy, but differ with their sound. “V12” references engines that are often found in luxury vehicles, adding to the image of sports cars evoked by the track’s bass instrumental and laid back vocals. In turn, “Cobra” is an example of dance-pop which usessharp percussion and a repetitive hook to create a track built around rhythm.
The next song, “Tarantino,” named after the famous American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and accompanied by a music video, marks the EP’s turning point towards cinematic storytelling. “Tarantino” acts as a central piece for the EP, while the other tracks explore different sounds and moods rather than following one consistent storyline.
“[The EP] doesn’t feel like one cohesive piece,” said senior Francez Santos. “There’s [a bit] more of an overarching umbrella with Tarantino, but the other songs [diverge], rather than all of them coming together. But that’s what makes this [album] so memorable.”
The fifth song, “Cut U Off” uses a more assertive approach, emphasizing leaving someone behind whose presence is not needed anymore. A recognizable melody of whistles starts the song, followed by layers of vocals and strong rhythm. Moreover, it relates to “Tarantino” with regard to cinematic elements, thus connecting the two central songs in the EP.
“Sweat,” the final track of the EP, takes a more rhythmic direction, introducing elements of yoga and breathing into life. It represents a more relaxing track, contrasting the previous, more aggressive tracks throughout the album. However, due to its simple lyrics and repetitive rhythm, it becomes much less interesting to listen to than the first track of the EP.
Through all of its six songs, “Press Play” highlights LISA’s versatility when it comes to moving from one genre to another within the framework of being confident about what she is doing.
“She’s better as a solo artist,” said freshman Samantha Gonzalez. “[I’m] not saying that she’s bad in BLACKPINK, but she actually expresses herself more [in Press Play].”
However, the EP reaches its peak when LISA’s lyrics and sound align with the goal of her album — honoring her Thai culture —especially during “SaWaDiKa,” which focuses on her ethnic identity rather than simply referencing it.
Thus, “Press Play” brings more clarity to the connection to LISA’s origin and global career, continuing the development of her solo identity. With only six tracks, “Press Play” leaves room for LISA to explore her identity further in future releases, earning this EP a rating of three and a half out of five stars.
