BLACKPINK's Jisoo Breaks Away From Her Usual Sound With New Single 'ADDICTED'

BLACKPINK member Jisoo is building a musical identity of her own. On her new single, "ADDICTED," she sets aside the powerful vocals she is known for in the group and sings in a relaxed, almost conversational way.

The response came fast. The music video for "ADDICTED" reached 16.3 million views within four days of its release. It also ranked No. 1 on the worldwide trending chart and the global daily chart for popular music videos.

The song is about falling for someone so hard it feels like an addiction. The feeling is sweet, but a little dizzying too. Musically, it's a dance-pop track that moves back and forth between funky rhythms and trap beats. Jisoo also participated in writing the lyrics, aiming to put her own feelings into the music.

The arrangement is kept simple, putting her voice front and center. A funky electric bass carries the opening. In the chorus, a stripped-down drum beat takes over most of the song, built from low 808 bass, a kick drum, claps and hi-hats.

Her delivery is the biggest change. Jisoo sings in short, easy phrases, as if she were talking, creating a calm and easy to listen effect. That's a clear break from her work with BLACKPINK, where she contributes to the group's sound with more forceful vocals. At the start of the second verse, she even experiments with a fast-paced rap, a move that drew positive reactions from listeners.

The production choices point in the same direction. To bring out her husky, low voice, Jisoo worked with a production team that has made music with Rihanna and Beyoncé. She took a similar approach on "CLICK," released in September, which she worked on with the collaborators behind Selena Gomez's music. All three pop stars are loved for their solid, rich lower-register vocals.

Some familiar names stayed on board, too. Songwriters Jack Brady and Jordan Roman, who worked on her earlier songs, are once again listed in the credits. That keeps a thread running through her solo catalog.

The music video shows a side of Jisoo fans haven't seen before. She wears a sheer, full-body outfit that evokes Catwoman. She also appears in a sharp black bob wig with a red dress, with another look featuring wet-look hair, and a pink wig. It's a big shift from the calm, dark hair that has long been her signature look.

Industry watchers see the new looks as a sign that Jisoo has been thinking hard about what style really suits her. Many say her effort and sincerity stand out as she works to define herself as a solo artist rather than solely as a member of BLACKPINK.

For members of major groups, a solo career often raises the same question: what does this person sound like on their own? With "ADDICTED," Jisoo is starting to answer it in her own voice.