Jennie releases 'Less Than a Lover' as her summer solo single
Blackpink's Jennie dropped 'Less Than a Lover' with a cinematic video after teasing the solo track at Governors Ball.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Jennie has put her summer flirtation on record with “Less Than a Lover,” a new solo single released through OddAtelier and Columbia Records, Rolling Stone reported.
The Blackpink singer’s latest track looks at the gray zone between friendship and romance. According to Rolling Stone, Jennie presents the song as a warm-weather ode built around a bond that is more intimate than casual but still shy of a full romance.
The release also comes with an official music video. Rolling Stone described the clip as cinematic and said it draws out the song’s airy, dreamlike mood.
What is Jennie's 'Less Than a Lover' about?
“Less Than a Lover” is about a summer connection that sits between a crush, a friend and a partner, according to Rolling Stone’s description of the single. The title phrase points to a relationship that gives more than a passing fling, while stopping short of a traditional love story.
Jennie spells out that in-between feeling in the song’s chorus, singing, “It’s more than lust/ It’s just enough,” followed by, “And all I want this summer/ Is a little bit less than a lover/ Need a little bit less than a lover/ You get a little bit more than another.”
Fans had already heard a taste of the track before its official arrival. Rolling Stone reported that Jennie previewed “Less Than a Lover” in June during her headlining performance at Governors Ball in New York City.
How does the single fit into Jennie's solo year?
The song extends a busy solo run for Jennie. In March, she released “Ruby,” her debut solo EP, through her own label, Odd Atelier, according to Rolling Stone.
“Ruby” runs 15 tracks and brought in a guest list that included Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, FKJ and Kali Uchis. The project marked a major solo statement outside Blackpink, while still keeping her in the thick of the group’s comeback year.
Since that EP arrived, Jennie has also reunited with Blackpink. Rolling Stone reported that the group returned for a world tour and released the album “Deadline.”
“Deadline” came out in February and includes five songs, among them the comeback single “Jump,” according to Rolling Stone. The project put Blackpink back in album mode while Jennie’s solo calendar kept moving.
Where is Jennie performing next?
Jennie’s summer solo festival run is not slowing down. Rolling Stone reported that she is set to headline Lollapalooza in Chicago later this month.
After that, she is scheduled to make her first appearance at Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival in August. Between the new single, the video and the festival dates, Jennie’s solo season is now running alongside Blackpink’s latest chapter.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.