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Review: aespa's second studio album 'Lemonade' mixes confidence and inconsistency
Photo: NME
2026-05-29 11:39   Music   12

Review: aespa's second studio album 'Lemonade' mixes confidence and inconsistency

In their second studio album 'Lemonade', released on 29th May 2026 by SM Entertainment, K-pop group aespa continues to navigate the challenges of maintaining momentum after a string of major hits.

The album follows successful 2024 tracks such as 'Supernova', 'Armageddon', and 'Whiplash', but arrives after some less impactful releases.aespa confronts the pressure of living up to their own high standards throughout the record.

The opening track 'WDA (Whole Different Animal)', featuring G-Dragon, establishes a bold tone with its hip-hop dance style and synth-heavy production, emphasising resilience with lyrics about embracing danger and pressure.

Standout moments include the rock-influenced 'Can’t Help Myself', which showcases strong vocal performances with distorted guitars, and the adaptable 'Switchblade' with its magnetic electronic sound.

The title track 'Lemonade' delivers an infectious electronic dance vibe reminiscent of their earlier hit 'Spicy', promoting a positive attitude towards overcoming obstacles.However, the album has weaker points.

'Camouflage' attempts a hyperpop and dreampop blend but fails to commit fully, while 'Roll' features an awkward interpolation of a nursery rhyme.'My Plan' offers competent R&B vocals but feels like filler.

Overall, 'Lemonade' demonstrates aespa's enduring confidence and talent five years into their career, yet it struggles to consistently match the brilliance of their previous peak.The group proves they remain their own toughest competitors in the demanding K-pop industry.

Full reading at NME

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