New Woman (feat. ROSALÍA)

"New Woman" is a powerful anthem of self-reinvention, empowerment, and unapologetic confidence. The song's central theme revolves around the idea of shedding one's past self, overcoming hardships, and emerging as a stronger, more authentic individual. LISA's lyrics, "Soak up, all new / So I cut / I go, go to the root / Off to bloom," metaphorically describe a deliberate and fundamental change, suggesting a departure from past constraints, possibly alluding to her newfound creative freedom after leaving her previous record label. The repeated line, "I'm a new woman," serves as the core declaration of this transformation, emphasizing a profound personal evolution.

The collaboration with ROSALÍA reinforces this message of female strength and solidarity. ROSALÍA's verse in Spanish complements LISA's by asserting her own artistic integrity and innate power, with lines like, "I live to sing, I don't sing to live," highlighting a genuine passion for her craft. The song as a whole addresses the struggles women often face, both in their daily lives and within the music industry, and celebrates the power that comes from reinventing oneself. It is a declaration of artistic dominance and resilience, presenting both artists as unstoppable forces who have turned their past struggles into sources of power.

The song narrates a powerful journey of self-transformation and rebirth. It begins with the declaration of a deliberate break from the past, symbolized by cutting to the root to allow for new growth. This act of shedding an old self is portrayed as a necessary step towards blooming into a new identity. The lyrics describe a process of enduring hardship and emerging stronger, metaphorically walking through fire to rediscover one's true essence. This transformation is not just superficial; it's a deep, internal shift reflected in an intensified aura and a newfound focus on one's own mind and timeline. The protagonist is now a "new woman," confident and in control, demanding that others make way for her powerful presence.

This newfound identity is celebrated in all its aspects—face, eyes, and body are described as going wild, yet the core of this transformation is mental. It's a declaration of being 'all about that mind,' suggesting that true change comes from within. The collaboration with another powerful female artist reinforces this theme of solidarity and mutual empowerment. The second artist's verse mirrors this sentiment of authenticity and self-assurance, emphasizing that her talent and energy are innate, not something given to her. She lives for her art, not the other way around, and confidently predicts a future free of failure. Her verse serves as a testament to her own established power and artistic integrity.

The recurring motif of turning 'purple into gold' signifies the alchemy of turning pain and bruises into something beautiful and valuable, a symbol of resilience and triumph over adversity. The song culminates in a final assertion of this elevated state. The 'new woman' is an 'Alpha,' demanding the best and biggest, and is now the one nurturing and providing, feeding others the 'bloom' of her growth. The narrative concludes with a sense of liberation and stepping into a 'new frontier,' fully realizing her identity as a new, empowered woman who has overcome past struggles and societal expectations.

"New Woman" was released on August 15, 2024, as the second single from LISA's debut solo studio album, "Alter Ego". The song is a collaboration with Spanish singer ROSALÍA. The two artists had publicly expressed admiration for each other's work prior to the collaboration. The track was co-written by LISA and ROSALÍA alongside acclaimed songwriters Tove Lo, Tove Burman, Max Martin, and Ilya Salmanzadeh. Martin and Ilya, known for producing hits for numerous pop stars, also handled the production of the song. The song was recorded across multiple studios, including Paradise Sound Recording and Conway Recording in Los Angeles, and Legend Music in Phuket. The creation of "New Woman" marks a significant step in LISA's solo career, being one of her first major releases after establishing her own management company, LLOUD, and partnering with RCA Records, which allows her full creative control over her music. The collaboration was officially announced on August 6, 2024, after a series of teasers on social media sparked fan speculation. The music video was directed by the renowned Dave Meyers and was filmed in Los Angeles.

"New Woman" features a contemporary pop structure with a driving rhythm that encourages movement. The tempo is upbeat, characteristic of a dance-pop anthem. The song's rhythmic foundation is built on a blend of electronic and trap beats, featuring a prominent bassline and synthesized drums that create a pulsating groove. The vocal delivery from both LISA and ROSALÍA often follows the rhythmic cadence of the instrumental, creating a tight and cohesive sound. The song's structure is somewhat unconventional for a pop track, with a full minute passing before the first chorus hits, which has been described as a refreshingly 'old-school' approach. A significant rhythmic shift occurs during ROSALÍA's verse, where the beat slows down and changes, introducing a different flavor to the song that is characteristic of her musical style before it merges back into the main rhythm. While a strict, traditional rhyme scheme is not the primary focus, the lyrics employ a mix of perfect and near rhymes to maintain a sense of flow and musicality, such as in the chorus with "serve" and "swerve". The focus is more on the rhythmic flow and the assertive delivery of the lyrics, which contributes significantly to the song's confident and empowering feel.

"New Woman" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to craft its empowering and dynamic atmosphere.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Blending: The song fuses elements of pop and electronic music with trap sonorities, creating a modern and edgy sound. The production, handled by Max Martin and Ilya, features a Y2K-inspired aesthetic.
• Vocal Filtering and Effects: The track incorporates filtered vocals and CD-scratching techniques, adding to its retro-futuristic, Y2K vibe.
• Beat Switch: There's a notable beat switch to accommodate ROSALÍA's verse, which introduces a different rhythmic feel that is more in line with her signature style before seamlessly transitioning back.
• Instrumentation: The song is built on a foundation of industrial-styled bass, synths, and drums, creating a pulsating and danceable rhythm.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor: The lyrics are rich with metaphors, such as "purple into gold" (turning pain into triumph) and "walked through that fire" (overcoming adversity).
• Repetition: The phrase "I'm a new woman" is repeated as a powerful mantra, reinforcing the song's central theme of transformation. The chorus itself is repeated to create a catchy and memorable hook.
• Direct Address: The line "Bitch, you better swerve" is a direct and assertive address to listeners or detractors, enhancing the song's confident and defiant tone.

"New Woman" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, lauded for its powerful message of female empowerment and the successful collaboration between two major international artists, LISA from the K-pop world and Spanish superstar ROSALÍA. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy production and the chemistry between the two artists. Commercially, "New Woman" performed well on global charts, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Global 200 and number six on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. In the United States, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 97, marking LISA's fourth entry on the chart as a solo artist. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, garnered significant attention for its Y2K-inspired aesthetics and striking visuals, amassing over 24 million views in its first 24 hours on YouTube. The song was also a part of LISA's debut solo performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where she performed it along with her other single "Rockstar". The track further solidified LISA's position as a formidable global solo artist following her departure from YG Entertainment for solo activities and the establishment of her own company, LLOUD.

"New Woman" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate the song's themes of transformation and empowerment.

• Purple into Gold: This recurring line is a central metaphor for turning pain and hardship (purple, often associated with bruises) into success and triumph (gold). It suggests a process of alchemy where negative experiences are transformed into something valuable and beautiful.
• Fire: The lyric "Walked through that fire, I rediscover" symbolizes undergoing trials and emerging purified and with a newfound sense of self. It represents a rebirth through adversity.
• Blooming and Roots: The imagery of cutting to the "root" to "bloom" signifies a fundamental change and growth. This metaphor suggests that true transformation requires addressing the very core of one's being to flourish. Some interpretations connect this to LISA's departure from her former agency to establish her own, allowing for new creative growth.
• Yin and Yang: In the music video, LISA and ROSALÍA are depicted in contrasting black and white outfits, forming a yin and yang symbol. This visual represents their complementary energies and the dual aspects of their powerful personas.
• Photocopying and Falling Apples: The music video contains various visual metaphors. The act of photocopying her face can be interpreted as a commentary on the pressure to create a sellable, replicable image in the entertainment industry. Falling apples have been suggested to represent monthly periods, another aspect of the female experience.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "New Woman" is the declaration, "I'm a new woman," which acts as the song's central thesis and a powerful, repeated affirmation of the theme of transformation. The phrase "Bitch, you better swerve" is another key recurring line in the chorus, serving as a memorable hook that emphasizes the song's confident and assertive tone. The metaphorical phrase "Purple into gold" is repeated in the pre-chorus by both LISA and ROSALÍA, creating a motif of turning pain into power and is a cornerstone of the song's narrative of resilience. The concept of an "aura" is also a recurring motif, with the line "Revving up my ah-ah-ah-ah-aura" appearing in the chorus, symbolizing a growing and intensifying personal energy and presence. Musically, the song features a recurring synthesized hook and a driving beat that provides a consistent foundation, even with the stylistic shift during ROSALÍA's verse. The repetition of these lyrical and musical elements makes the song catchy and reinforces its core message of empowerment and self-reinvention.