Ringo (Itzy album)

Ringo (Japanese for 'apple') is the first Japanese-language and second overall studio album by South Korean girl group Itzy. It was released by Warner Music Japan on October 18, 2023. Led by the lead single of the same name, the album contains 11 tracks, including the singles "Voltage" and "Blah Blah Blah"; and the Japanese versions of "Sneakers", "Cheshire", and "Trust Me (Midzy)".

Background
Itzy debuted in Japan under Warner Music Japan on September 1, 2021, with the release of the compilation extended play What'z Itzy, which featured the quintet's previous singles. A compilation album featuring Japanese versions of the quintet's singles, titled It'z Itzy, was released later that year, on December 22. The group's first original Japanese-language song was released on April 6, 2022, with the release of the maxi single "Voltage". A second maxi single, titled "Blah Blah Blah", followed on October 5.

During the Japan leg of the Checkmate World Tour, in February 2023, Itzy revealed their plans for their first full-length Japanese studio album as part of a surprise announcement. On August 7, 2023, JYP Entertainment officially announced the album, Ringo, and the titles of its eleven tracks.

Music and lyrics
Ringo is composed of eleven tracks. The album opens with the lead single of the same name, which is inspired by fairy tales. It carries the message of "charting one's path, instead of following the footsteps of already-written fairy tales".

The album reprises the pop-rock single "Voltage" as its fifth track, and is followed by "Spice". "Blah Blah Blah", a song characterized by a rhythmic rap and an "addictive" synth melody, is also reprised, as well as "Can't tie me down". The album closes with the re-recorded Japanese versions of three tracks previously released by the quintet: the electro-pop track "Sneakers", the dance-pop track "Cheshire", and the fan-dedicated track "Trust Me (Midzy)".

Release and promotion
Ringo was released on October 18, 2023. The announcement of the album was accompanied by the release of teaser images, which depict the members with bright red apples. The album was available in eight different physical formats, all of which contained a CD. The album had two limited edition variations, one containing a DVD and the other containing ten trading cards.

The Japanese version of "Trust Me (Midzy)" and "Sugar-holic" were released ahead of the album as a promotional single on August 29, and October 11, respectively.