P&P Spotlight: Ruby Rose Turner

When the beloved Disney franchise Descendants in 2024 with Rise Of Red, viewers were introduced to an all-new cast and plot, taking place years after the events of Descendants 3. Among the fresh faces on our screens and on the soundtrack was Ruby Rose Turner, giving the world a first taste of her musical abilities with “Shuffle Of Love” from the film. Now, she’s turning the page to a new chapter in her career, establishing herself as a singer-songwriter on her way towards pop stardom. She draws inspiration from the ‘00s icons she grew up on as she channels her personal stories into resonant bangers. She burst onto the scene with her debut single “Vanity” and followed up with “Clementine” and “Digital Girlfriend,” her first ever major-label releases through Atlantic Records. 

Image credit: Ruby Rose Turner, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU’LL LOVE RUBY ROSE TURNER IF YOU LISTEN TO: Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Gwen Stefani, Lily Allen, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears

Both “Vanity” and “Clementine” cleverly revolve around the concept of hiding one thing beneath another. “Vanity” explores the idea of using your outward appearance to mask your inward one. The lyrics portray Ruby clinging to an attractive physical appearance as she is breaking down on the inside.  The upbeat production adds depth to the track, juxtaposing the dark mental state that she describes herself to be in. The sad storyline captures a common defense mechanism of young women going through a hard time, to use makeup as a shield. 

“Vanity” also has an accompanying music video that adds another dimension to the message of the song. In the music video, we see Ruby sitting in front of a vanity, looking at her own reflection and singing the words to herself as she does her hair and makeup. Once the song builds up to the outro, she starts aggressively rubbing makeup on her face, only to try to wipe it off again before we finally see her head fall into her hands in defeat. This visual, along with the words in the outro, including the lyric “Fixate on my features 'till I’m overdone, ‘till I can't even see her, it's never enough,” showcase that no matter how hard you may try to prove you have it together by looking the part, you won’t be able to keep it together inside forever.

On the flip side, “Clementine” details her experience with a boy who looks appealing at first glance, but doesn’t seem so sweet once you get to know him a little better. It offers another take on the themes of outward appearances not matching inner emotions. Again, she sings of a universal experience that much of her audience can relate to - getting to know a boy who is charming on the surface, but once you begin to peel back the layers like you would a clementine, you find that he is rotten underneath. Many of us have met a good-looking boy who seems promising - until he opens his mouth. Ruby aimed to create a cheeky, sarcastic song with “Clementine” rather than a bitter one, and just like with “Vanity,” the way its production juxtaposes its subject matter makes it feel very powerful. 

Most recently, the biting pop-rock masterpiece “Digital Girlfriend” builds on the narrative of “Clementine,” with a similar biting tone. With sparkly, futuristic production, it’s the best scene-setter and world-builder in Ruby’s discography thus far. Perhaps, we learn the most about Ruby’s brand and unique musical universe through this release. 

In “Digital Girlfriend,” Ruby unapologetically confronts a narcissistic partner with his head in the clouds. It’s equal parts witty and cut-and-dry, conveying a simple message in a vivacious yet direct manner - “Find yourself a digital sweetheart, lying to yourself but it can never be me now.” Blurring the lines between a classic, radio-friendly sound and an experimental electropop one, “Digital Girlfriend” serves as a true bridge between Ruby’s family-friendly Disney era and her many years to come of pop stardom. 

“This feels like the perfect era to release these new songs and reintroduce myself,” says Ruby. “I hope people feel like they missed something that was right in front of them the whole time.”

With three songs out - and a mission to help listeners look into the mirror and be fiercely themselves - Ruby is already making a bold statement and paving her own path towards her big goals. We think that sooner than later, you’ll be seeing her name everywhere - so now is the time to tune in! Here is a playlist we’ve curated to capture her vibe.