JENNIE captures the thrill, confusion and emotional tension of an almost-relationship in her new single, “Less than a Lover.”
Released through ODDATELIER and Columbia Records, the alternative-pop track serves as her ode to summer. It explores the complicated space between friendship and romance, where two people clearly share something deeper but have not defined what it means.
JENNIE Soundtracks the Almost-Relationship
Written by JENNIE, “Less than a Lover” focuses on someone who feels like more than a friend but has not quite become a romantic partner.
Rather than forcing the connection into a clear category, JENNIE embraces the uncertainty. The song captures the excitement of getting closer to someone, while also recognising the doubts that come with an undefined relationship.
Musically, the track introduces a softer side of JENNIE’s sound. Lo-fi guitar textures and vintage electric keyboards create a dreamy alternative-pop atmosphere, allowing her vocals and lyrics to remain at the centre.
The understated production reflects the quiet emotions that often appear in an almost-relationship. A small interaction can feel significant, yet neither person knows exactly where the connection is heading.
This emotional grey area makes “Less than a Lover” especially relatable. Many listeners will recognise the experience of questioning whether a friendship is becoming something more, while being afraid to change the dynamic by addressing it directly.
A Fictional Romance Starts Feeling Real
The accompanying music video expands the song’s story through a concept created by JENNIE.
In the visual, she enters another world and takes on a different version of herself while filming a short movie with friends. During the production, a fictional love story begins to create a real emotional shift between the characters.
What starts as acting slowly introduces a new tension that did not exist before. The boundary between performance and reality becomes less clear, mirroring the song’s central idea of a relationship that cannot easily be defined.
The single artwork also supports the release’s dreamy summer mood. It features a close-up portrait of JENNIE with the song title written delicately across her face, giving the visual an intimate and diary-like feeling.
JENNIE first previewed “Less than a Lover” during her historic headlining performance at Governors Ball in June. She later continued her festival run at Mad Cool, Open’er and Roskilde.
She is also set to headline Lollapalooza Chicago before making her first appearance at Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival.
Through “Less than a Lover,” JENNIE continues to expand her identity as a solo artist. The release offers a softer contrast to her more powerful performances while maintaining the creative confidence that has shaped her work across music, fashion and culture.
For anyone caught between friendship and something deeper, “Less than a Lover” provides the perfect soundtrack to a connection that feels real, even when it does not have a name.
