Lemonade is the second studio album by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 29, 2026, and contains ten tracks, including the singles "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" and "Lemonade". It charted at number one on the Circle Chart and number two on the Oricon Chart.
Background and release On April 20, 2026, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their second studio album titled Lemonade on May 29. A day later, the promotional schedule was released. On April 27, a trailer titled "Complaexity" was released. On May 4, it was announced that "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" would be pre-released on May 11. Four days later, the music video teaser for "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" was released. On May 10, the track listing was released. On May 11, "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" was released alongside its music video. On May 18, a trailer titled "Make It Lemonade" was released, followed by the highlight medley on May 25. On May 28, the music video teaser for "Lemonade" was released. The album was released alongside the music video for "Lemonade" on May 29.
Composition Lemonade contains 11 tracks. The first track and lead single, "WDA (Whole Different Animal)", features G-Dragon and is a hip-hop-based dance song characterized by "synth bass and heavy hook" with lyrics about "capturing the growth of Aespa". The second and same-name track, "Lemonade", is an EDM song characterized by "synth bass rhythm" with lyrics conveying "a positive message of turning any trial and hardship into opportunity" and inspired by the Western proverb "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade". The third track, "Shakin", is a dance song featuring "synth bass and a hook melody" with lyrics about "shaking up the other person's world". The fourth track, "Can't Help Myself", is a rock song with lyrics conveying "a free message of living authentically even if everyone dislikes me".
The fifth track, "Camouflage", is a hyperpop song with lyrics "expressing the act of living in a different persona while concealing my true feelings so as not to be swayed by anything akin to camouflaging". The sixth track, "Bite", is a dance song with lyrics about "biting if the line is crossed". The seventh track, "Switchblade", features Ty Dolla Sign and is an EDM song with lyrics about "the flexibility and strength that change dynamically depending on the situation". The eighth track, "Roll", is a song with lyrics that "expresses emotions toward a parted lover". The ninth track, "My Plan", is an R&B song with lyrics featuring a "witty story about winning over someone". The tenth track, "'Til We Die", is a pop rock song with lyrics containing "a sincere message of staying with those who have always supported me until the end". The eleventh track is an alternate version of "Lemonade" featuring Becky G.
Critical reception
Im Dong-yeop of IZM gave the album two out of five stars, writing that "continuity does not guarantee permanence", describing Lemonade as a sonically "solid" but uneven album that emphasized Aespa's established "metallic" sound over a cohesive musical direction. The critic added that the group's polished concepts and music videos did not "guarantee musical completeness", and argued that Aespa needed artistic renewal beyond its existing formula. Mika Chen of NME gave the album 3.5 out of five stars, writing that "Lemonade isn't without its sour notes" and that "the album starts to crumble under the pressure". Chen concluded that "when Lemonade works, it does so with the kind of self-assurance that reminds you why Aespa became such superstars in the first place", but added that "the album's stumbles constantly leave you wondering if they are truly adding to their impressive legacy - or just coasting on it".
Track listing
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes in standard edition, exclude in digital edition.
Studio SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording , digital editing, engineered for mix SM Wavelet Studio – recording , digital editing SM Aube Studio – recording , digital editing , engineered for mix Vibe Music Studio 606 – recording SM Azure Studio – recording , digital editing 1956 Recording Studio HQ – recording SM Droplet Studio – recording, digital editing SM Blue Cup Studio – digital editing , mixing 77F Studio – digital editing SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing SM Big Shot Studio – mixing SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing SM Starlight Studio – mixing 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel
SM Entertainment – executive producer Aespa – vocals, background vocals G-Dragon – vocals, lyrics, composition, background vocals Ty Dolla Sign – vocals, lyrics, composition, background vocals Jvde (Galactika) – lyrics , vocal directing Dwayne Abernathy Jr. Dem Jointz – producer, composition, arrangement, background vocals Ryan S. Jhun – producer, composition, arrangement Varick "Smitty" Smith – composition Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics Lewis Jankel Shift K3Y – producer, composition, arrangement Jordan Shaw – composition Taylor Upsahl – composition Cyrus Villanueva – composition Hyun Ji-won – lyrics Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine) – producer, composition, arrangement Ludvig Evers (Moonshine) – producer, composition, arrangement Eva Parmakova – composition, background vocals Bobii Lewis – composition Yoon (153/Joombas) – lyrics Markus Videsäter – producer, composition, arrangement Grace Baer – composition, arrangement David Straaf – producer, composition, arrangement Joowon – lyrics , vocal directing Theo Drose (Act Social) – producer, composition, arrangement Gustav Parling (Act Social) – producer, composition, arrangement Matilda Winberg – composition Charlotte Boyle – composition Zaya (153/Joombas) – lyrics Stian Nyhammer Olsen – producer, composition, arrangement Julia Bognar Finnseter – composition, background vocals Dana – composition, background vocals Awrii (The Hub) – composition, background vocals Danke – lyrics Ant Clemons – lyrics, composition Evan Blair – producer, composition, arrangement Megan Bülow – composition, background vocals David Charles Fischer – composition, background vocals Sasha Alex Sloan – composition, background vocals Alma Goodman – lyrics , composition , background vocals Alida Garpestad Peck – lyrics, composition Yorkie – lyrics Cook Classics – producer, composition, arrangement Simon Petrén – producer, composition, arrangement Ikki – composition Kelbyul (153/Joombas) – lyrics Alex Sacco – producer, composition, arrangement Parker James – composition Don Mills – vocal directing Hyun – vocal directing Jsong – vocal directing Sophia Pae Sophiya – vocal directing Sam Carter – vocal directing Emily Yeonseo Kim – background vocals Kim Dong-min – guitar Koo Bon-am – bass Noh Min-ji – recording , digital editing, engineered for mix Kang Eun-ji – recording , digital editing Kim Hyo-joon – recording , digital editing , engineered for mix Jeong Mo-yeon – recording Kim Jae-yeon – recording , digital editing Rafael Fai Bautista – recording Kim Joo-hyun – recording, digital editing Jung Eui-seok – digital editing , mixing Woo Min-jeong – digital editing Kim Cheol-sun – mixing Lee Min-kyu – mixing Nam Koong-jin – mixing Jeong Yoo-ra – mixing Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Lemonade Chart (2026) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 24 Croatian International Albums (HDU) 4 German Pop Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 9 Greek Albums (IFPI) 14 Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) 11 Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) 2 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 4 Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) 85 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 25 Portuguese Albums (AFP) 21 South Korean Albums (Circle) 1 Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 9 US Billboard 200 9
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for Lemonade Chart (2026) Peakposition Japanese Albums (Oricon) 9 South Korean Albums (Circle) 2
Certifications
Release history + Release history for Lemonade Region Date Format Label South Korea May 29, 2026 CD Various
References