Lee Chae-rin, better known as CL, is one of the most formidable female artists in the K-Pop industry to date. After breaking away from the popular second generation mega girl group 2NE1 (YG Entertainment) to focus on her own work, CL continued to make a name for herself by transitioning into Western music and working with prominent American artists.

With ALPHA, her first full-length studio album release, the queen of K-Pop delivers with her signature rap prowess, but also introduces a new softer side as a singer.

“Let It Flow” starts the album with an upbeat piano melody over a simple hip-hop beat, which allows the sweet vocals of Lee Chae-rin to shine through. The rapper is able to maintain her recognizable lyrical flow throughout the song by keeping it tight and short to accompany her harmonies.

Newly released single “Lover Like Me” shows off CL’s bilingual ability over a chiming synth line. It’s a female empowerment anthem sung entirely in English with the refrain, “You will never ever find another lover like me.” Her aptitude for switching seamlessly from sweet vocals to hard rap shows her versatility as an artist.

“My Way” harkens backs to her signature braggadocio, such as on songs like “The Baddest Female” and “MITB” that she performed while in 2NE1. Lee Chae-rin goes hard and sounds quite a bit like Cardi B here as she spit about her taking her career seriously, against an Eastern-tinged melody and deep, bass-heavy percussion. “Spicy” is the style with which CL is most comfortable, rapping over a trap beat with sassy lyrics and shouting out  her South Korean roots; “the most fly Asians.”

“Tie a Cherry” follows suit with a high-pitched synth over an 808 beat, showcasing the ease of lyrical flow that Lee Chae-rin possesses. “Siren,” an English-sung song, features a string orchestra that adds an airy lightness to the punchy vocals. “Who is gonna love you like that?” CL pointedly asks. Single “5 STAR” shows off CL’s newer vocal stylings, which older fans may not be accustomed to, but the R&B-flavored song pairs beautifully with the softly delivered vocals.

“XAI” has a tropical feel with a smooth synth-led rhythm that features a short rap and some emotive vocalizations sprinkled into the song. The trap beat of “PARADISE” and “HWA” should instantly get listeners’ heads bopping. The latter song, which features driving percussion, is a warning that CL isn’t a woman you’d want to play with.

“I don’t really care if you hate me or love me, you’ll never change me,” CL asserts on “CHUCK.” It’s one of her many boasts throughout the years, but it acquires a new meaning on this record as she finally steps out on her own as a solo artist, blending genres and languages. On ALPHA, the 30-year-old South Korean star sheds her roots as a K-idol and fully embraces herself as an independent artist, reintroducing herself to an audience that has anticipated her work as a soloist since 2014.

Follow photographer Onome Uyovbievbo at Twitter.com/byonome and Instagram.com/by.onome.