BLACKPINK’s Lisa may be one of the biggest stars in the world, but her solo album Alter Ego is getting some unexpected criticism from foreign media.
The UK’s The Guardian recently reviewed the album and didn’t hold back, calling it “outdated” and questioning whether it truly represents Lisa as an artist.
According to The Guardian, Lisa’s debut album release was perfectly timed to match her acting debut in HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, where she plays a resort receptionist.
The outlet suggested that the album was more about capitalizing on her rising global fame rather than establishing a strong musical identity.
They wrote, “Lisa is already one of the most famous people in the world. But starring in a show like The White Lotus offers her a different kind of fame.”
In its review, The Guardian described Alter Ego as an album designed to grab attention rather than showcase Lisa’s true artistry.
The review compared the album’s polished but calculated feel to major label releases from the 2010s, suggesting that it lacks personal expression and comes off as a commercialized product.
They also pointed out how Lisa frequently references luxury brands and wealth in her lyrics, with tracks like Rapunzel focusing more on bragging than storytelling.
The review didn’t stop there—it also took aim at Lisa’s rap style, calling it shallow and outdated.
“She recycles clichés from American hip-hop that were already outdated when Miley Cyrus released Bangerz 12 years ago,” the review stated.
It also criticized the way Lisa separates her emotions in the album, making ballads soft and emotional, while rap tracks are aggressive and boastful. They even compared Lisa to artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Doechii, who blend emotions into different genres, saying Lisa’s approach feels out of touch with modern trends.
One of the biggest criticisms from The Guardian was about Alter Ego’s concept. The album was meant to showcase Lisa’s five alter egos—Vixi, Sunni, Roxi, Kiki, and Speedi. However, the review argued that the only people who truly stand out on the album are the guest artists, not Lisa herself.
In its final verdict, The Guardian wrote:
“With BLACKPINK’s era-defining success, it’s disappointing that Alter Ego feels so dated. Instead of establishing Lisa as an artist, it leaves her as an enigma—overshadowed by her own featured artists and weighed down by her own music.”
While some agree with the critique, Lisa’s loyal fans are defending her, arguing that her album shows a different side of her and that her music doesn’t need to follow trends to be great.
What do you think—was Alter Ego a bold statement or a missed opportunity?
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