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Album Review - MOTS:7


Album Review

by

BTS Radio UK

Unless you've been living on the moon 😉 you would know that BTS' latest album Map of the Soul: 7 was unleashed upon the world on February 21st 2020. Given the number of tracks listed, and the size of the actual album, it truly is a behemoth, (a bit like how this album has turned out to be!)

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Considering the length of the album our team at BTS Radio UK gave ourselves a couple of weeks to absorb and fully appreciate the tracks before putting pen to paper to write our reviews. As the album incorporates Map of the Soul: Persona we will delve straight into the new songs, but you can read our album review of Map of the Soul: Persona at the following link: MOTS: Persona

Without further ado:

(*Some songs have already been reviewed as they were released before Map of the Soul:7 album dropped. To read those reviews just click on the link next to it)


 Interlude: Shadow by Alaina Harrison

 Interlude: Shadow opens with a billowing alarm that echoes in your ears, interrupted by short bursts of crackling audio. The alarm gets louder as if more urgent before another crackle and switch, like an old radio. A similar billowing now echo-less sound continues but accompanied by a beautiful melodic tune which builds, even lightly crackling, until Suga’s calm somewhat monotone voice comes in. This build up creates a sense of importance and anticipation for the song’s beginning but also the start of the new tracks on BTS’ seventh studio album, Map of the Soul : 7.

 Interlude: Shadow follows on from the first track of the Map of the Soul era, Intro: Persona, as we delve deeper into BTS’s critique of fame through the lens of Carl Jung’s psychological theories. Intro: Persona, Interlude: Shadow, and Outro: Ego take us through BTS’ own process of Individuation as idols and people, and the contradictions they face as they analyse the different aspects of their mind and personality.

 The lyrics of Interlude: Shadow begin by Suga listing his goals and aspirations such as being rich and wanting it all. These lyrics are comparable to Suga’s first lines in BTS’ 2013 song No More Dream before their worldwide success. However, unlike in No More Dream where Suga delivers the lines in a cocky playful manner, in Interlude: Shadow he sounds disheartened and even angry as the rap speeds up and drums come in.

 Suga isn’t disheartened because he hasn’t achieved his goals but because they aren’t what he expected them to be. He describes how his dreams weren’t the same as the reality he now faces. He sounds overwhelmed by the shadows that follow him and the darkness inside him fearing that it will take over the light that he shows to the world. The more fame he obtains, the more he represses the parts of him that are judged by others and the lonelier he gets, unhappy but still scared to lose it all. The music begins to build as he explains how the bright lights of fame cast darker shadows within him creating a monster. That is to say that Suga no longer likes who he is, but still his fame keeps growing and he hates it.
Now we reach the chorus of the song where the tone changes into a desperate ballad as Suga begs his fans to help him. The problem is that he feels contracted, afraid of fame as he is at his personal lowest but also afraid to lose the fame that just keeps growing making him unsure of what he wants to do. He admits he’s scared and doesn’t want to face the shadows inside him.

 The music slows and Suga’s words are now no longer directed at his fans but himself as a negative inner voice mocks that him for being weak and blaming him since this in what he wanted. As if dreaming big meant he asked for the pain and conflict he now feels. The rap speeds up and it sounds as if Suga is now bigging himself up. Describing how he achieved the life he wished for and chose without regret and mimicking the previously mentioned line in No More Dream to say that he now has everything he wanted.

 Suga’s words turn critical as he gets angry and shames himself for how he feels, criticising the excuses he makes and telling himself to fight for it and give it his all even if it breaks him. This verse reflects the negative inner voice experienced by many people with mental health issues such as depression. Suga is bravely telling the world how despite his fame he still struggles with such feelings. He’s making himself more human and more relatable to those who look up to him.

 Now we reach the second chorus which plays like the one before, but an electric guitar is added with long wobbling strums that match the emotion heard in Suga’s voice. The chorus is followed by the same lines listing his goals that are heard at the start of the song and the alarm sounds in waves once again, except a sad piano now plays too. Then suddenly, the tone changes drastically as Suga’s voice harshens and the alarm gets more aggressive. It’s like the monster that Suga previously mentioned has escaped his unconscious and is now in control.
Suga’s voice changes once more, sounding less human as it tells him that they are one and he must come to terms with this “monster” because he can’t separate it from the persona he shows to the world. This is the next step of individuation where Suga is coming to terms with what he describes as the light and dark within him. The beat is heavy like a weight on your shoulders, giving the listeners a similar feeling to how Suga might have felt as he came to this realisation himself. The music fades out to end the song and the weight of the beat is lifted but you’re still left feeling unsettled without a full resolution to the emotional conflict Suga has been through as Outro: Ego is still to come and complete the process of Individuation.

 To conclude Interlude: Shadow honestly dissects fame divulging very personal emotions that Suga and BTS have experienced as they’ve gained popularity. Many artists shy away from discussing such difficult topics out of fear of being called ungrateful, which Suga also admits to feeling in the second verse. Musically the track is incredibly powerful, and the changing tones create a feeling of unease that help convey the emotion delivered in Suga’s lyrics and voice. The mix of rap and emotional signing are impactful. Interlude: Shadow is a complex and deep song that requires multiple listens to fully digest but regardless of if it’s your first listen or your fiftieth, it’s enjoyable every time.


*Our previous reviews of Interlude: Shadow (MV Version) can be found at the following links:   
Interlude: Shadow by Onomey Ovien 

*Black Swan  Black Swan by Michayla Rap 
                       Black Swan by Marsha Night



Filter by Charlie Murray

I cannot stop myself from comparing these new solos that Map of the Soul: 7 has blessed us with, to the previous solos from the Wings and Love Yourself albums. And Jimin's solos, to me, represent a journey that is quite emotional to witness. 

From Lie, a song about begging to be freed from the pain of living in a lie, to Serendipity, a song about feeling elated from being in a love that you believe is destined, and now to Filter: a song about embracing yourself and feeling truly confident and wanted. 

"Surpasses preferences and standards
You come to want only me
Yeah the very person that made me is you"

Jimin said that while filters can be on your phone camera, it can also represent different prejudices and perceptions you have of people. He uses this metaphor to represent the idea of him being able to fit any preference or ideals that you hold. In this seductive, salsa-esque tune, he sings in sultry tones about how he knows that no matter your preference, you will still desire and want him, as he can adapt himself to any ideal. 

As someone who's admired Jimin for many years, it fills me with so much satisfaction to see a song all about Jimin knowing exactly how beautiful he is, inside and out. 

The solo stages for the Map of the Soul tour are already exciting me, and in particular I am looking forward to Jimin's solo stage. He will be dropping with confidence and flair, I am sure, and as always will not hold back on owning the stage as if each and every performance is the most important one to him. 

I believe that even for people who don't like BTS' music, this is a very unique style and Jimin delivers every line with flair and seduction that will reel anyone in, just as the lyrics suggest. It is a song about being versatile enough to be loved by the world, and it demonstrates the versatility of Jimin's voice to a new genre. I hope we are able to hear more of this new side to him.
My Time by Amanda Murphy

 Hey, ARMY. It’s Manda here. I’m about to listen to one of the songs in Map Of The Soul: 7 and Jungkook’s solo; My Time (시차) for the first time. BTS’ new album came out last week, but I’ve actually been holding off listening to it in order to prepare myself for the a) Beauty I’m about to witness and b) So I can give a first-account and honest review without thinking about the other new releases too much. So, here we go.

 Upon doing a little research, all I know is this ‘My Time’ is a solo from Jungkook’s point of view, reflecting on his days as a trainee to becoming an idol. I’m sure it’s going to be an emotional ride, let’s go!

 The song has a slow melody to it, with some echoing guitar strings in the background. Jungkook’s vocals flood the melody. “24, feels like I became a grown-up faster than everyone else.” The song definitely describes the journey of Jungkook’s transition from trainee to Idol in a bittersweet fashion. He’s had to grow up very quickly - and in my opinion, the title ‘My Time’ is Jungkook trying to catch up on the years he lost. He recognises that he has found his time, and it’s now. The song has a solid rhythm to it, with lyrics including “Can I someday finna find my time?” as well as “I can’t touch ya.” I’m not too sure if this is eluding to Jungkook not being able to feel, call or touch the time in the past which he isn’t able to regain due to his high-paced lifestyle. The song is up-beat, and I can feel the emotion through the beautiful lyrics. It’s really not a song you would dance to, it’s a song for thinking. When you want to sit in the car, look out the window and simply think.

 The song itself has a strong beat - but the lyrics are what's important. Onto the bridge; “Sometimes when I’m gasping for air, I wear my hat low and keep running.” Lyrics like this really hit hard. This song depicts Jungkook’s hard but rewarding journey, and it gives a slight peek into his personal perspective of where he is now - and time. He needs his privacy. Sometimes it all gets too overwhelming. The song itself being upbeat - yet slow with the slightly contrasting lyrics definitely reflect the bittersweet perspective. The repetition of the line “My Time” is something I perceive as Jungkook finding himself and feels settled in where he stands now. Despite the time lost, the bridge tells us that Jungkook is grateful for where he is now and the fan base he has. The final moments of the song definitely leave a lasting impression; with the lyrics recognising Jungkook’s struggles but showing his happiness and respect for the past, allowing him to move forward and find ‘his time.’

 Well, that’s my first listen summed up. I hope you guys have enjoyed reading my review of Jungkook’s solo ‘My Time’.
Louder Than Bombs by Marsha Night
This song threw me from the second I heard the reverb on JKs voice, it didn't stop there.

The consistent echoes, emphasis on beautifully haunting harmonies and superb sound effects (a watch dial turning/a timer being wound and running down) makes the song an emotional roller-coaster without even reading the lyrics.

I listened to it around 6 times before I looked up the lyrics, I was in awe.

The lyrics can be taken in so many ways, exactly as it's intended to be taken. Everyone can relate to the feeling of not knowing if what they are doing is right, if they belong. The message that speaks to me is that it's completely fine to feel lost, dazed and confused in what you are doing... as long as you keep doing.
Understanding the darkness and the fact that you fall and struggle to get up over and over again is ok - you will get up eventually and keep moving towards the light, fighting, not giving up.

The 'Louder Than Bombs' reference to me is the inner monologue of your own thoughts, they are louder than any sound as they are inside of you. There is no volume switch.

Let's talk about the vocals...

If there's one word to describe the way the vocals come across in this song it's most definitely 'Eerie'. Each member's parts are, to me, very isolated yet spacious which gives a feeling that they are speaking to themselves in a room built for just them. Their own mind.
From the vocal lines haunting solos to their breathtaking harmonies, the rap line bringing their own style, cadence and emotion through spoken word - it's just beautiful.


I think this is hands down, one of the best songs on the album. I've been waiting for something like this to come my way and they excelled beyond my expectations tenfold.
ON by Claudia Windischmann

Prepare for Battle
I first listened to this song after coming home from a very long and stressful day at work. I walked into my bedroom, laid down on the bed, popped in my earphones and pressed play. I don’t think I was ready for what was about to come.
Hearing the song start with an organ and clapping I was instantly reminded of songs like Legendary by Welshly Arms and Can’t hold us down by Macklemore, both songs that I like a lot, and ‘On’ definitely has a similar vibe.
There are several things I noticed, some upon first listen, others only after repeated plays. For one, the song is very bass-heavy. But generally I can say that the more I listened to it the more I fell for the amazing composition behind the bass, including some unusual instrument choices like organs and what at times sounds like a faint brass band, as well as the lyrics that are incredibly powerful yet at the same time highlight the psychological toll, the intense self-doubt and the almost unbearable pressures they are under on a daily basis.
One overarching theme I noticed was that both verses seem to incorporate the light & dark dichotomy, with Jimin's and V’s part in the first verse and J-Hope’s in the second being accompanied by lighter background music. In contrast to that RM’s and Suga’s parts are much darker, very bass-driven and almost menacing. This light & dark theme also shows in the chorus, with individual lines alternating between high and low notes (compare “hey na na na” to the rest of the chorus lines). This juxtaposition also helps to underline the seemingly self-contradictory lyrics of the chorus, e.g. “going insane to stay sane”.
Another thing that, honestly, somewhat perplexed me upon my first listen was the speed and force of the chorus, or rather the lack thereof. When the chorus came on for the first time I immediately noticed the muffled bass and very dragging rhythm, initially almost too slow for my liking, and I kept wondering when it would pick up. I assumed the second chorus, or at least the final one would be much grander and more forceful, but that never happened. In hindsight, this is a very good stylistic device to emphasise the inertia one feels when burdened by pressures beyond our control. We can’t help but carry on, dragging our feet as what seems like the weight of the world is bearing down upon us. Thinking about it a bit more it doesn’t take much to envision the image of prisoners chained together, slowly making their way to their prison (even if it is perceived as beautiful, as mentioned in the lyrics). The heavy rhythm of the chorus very much plays to that and I felt weighed down, almost as if I was physically feeling the burden that must lie upon them day to day. 
But this prison image was not what I was thinking of when I listened to the song for the first time. Nor do I think that the song intended to focus on that aspect, it is much too grand and motivational for that. This song is about dealing with the adversities of life and taking control, just like Jungkook sings towards the end, “I’m taking over”. During my first play, once I was listening to the second verse the image that really came to my mind was that of an army approaching the battlefield. The rhythm started to become more of a marching sound, which was further emphasised by the use of snare drums that actually appear throughout the song, sometimes more, sometimes less noticeable. This image seemed incredibly powerful to me and is further underlined by lyrics like “Can’t hold me down cause you know I’m a fighter” and the most repeated line in the song, “Bring the pain”, which runs in a similar vein. Instead of focusing on the prison we’re in we will fight and march on, descend into the abyss, no matter how painful.
The final part of the song, with Jungkook’s and Jimin’s bridge and final chorus, held another interesting part. During the bridge the use of the organ which already came up at the beginning of the song, I felt, gave it a somewhat “religious” touch, but more in a “prayer before battle” kind of way. I couldn’t help but feel like they wanted to convey this image of “I might not make it out of this alive, this might be where it ends, so let me send a final prayer and I’m going to fight until the end.” Jungkook’s and Jimin’s lines then lead beautifully into the final chorus, where by now I felt like I was marching along together, ready to fight and face the pain.
This song really is a battle cry. To march on. To fight on. To live on. And on. And on.


 UGH! by Michayla Rap

One of the most exciting things was the moment that the team at BTS Radio UK picked a random number and were given our songs to review having not even heard the album at that point. I had absolutely no idea what to expect and I couldn’t wait for the release so I could hear the song I had been given.

When I found out that ‘UGH’ was the rap line song, I really was quite nervous because Outro: Tear is one of my favourites and it is so difficult not to compare as so many do with ‘Ddaeng’ and ‘Tear’. I wanted to love it but I also wondered if it would rival or replace Tear, there were a lot of thoughts even before 9am on 21st February.

The moment it started it oozed ‘rap line’ and had a ‘cypher’ feel that I loved, instantly. I was already in love with ‘ON’ and totally hyped up so with ‘UGH’ following that on the album, the scene was set.

‘UGH!’ is a song about the hate BTS have received over the years and still get to this day. This is a familiar theme with songs like ‘Mic Drop’, the Cyphers, ‘We Are Bulletproof pt.2’ and many others that express the negativity they have faced.

A line in Yoongi’s verse speaks about how people who judge them make out that they are perfect but clearly they are not, which is amusing. I think this is true for many people who should take a look in the mirror before casting negativity onto others as the saying goes ‘People in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones’. 

‘In this place, everyone becomes someone with perfect ethics
And perfect judgment, that’s funny’

Namjoon’s verse is so poignant and is a great message to ARMY because he talks about rage being accepted and being useful. If you feel anger, it can motivate you, it can inspire you to achieve goals and prove others wrong, so feeling rage sometimes is okay. But he also says that the hate aimed at BTS is empty rage, therefore it is pointless.

‘Rage? Of course you need it
When it burns up there's always a reason’

I love Hobi’s verse because he addresses the other side of rage, exploring the fact that you still need to be in control because an action or words said in rage can affect someone’s life forever. I feel that Hobi accepts that the emotion of anger can be useful but he wants to err on the side of caution because it can be dangerous too.

‘Someone gets hurt at someone's actions
Someone becomes gloomy at someone's speech and behaviour
Someone's spur of the moment becomes someone's moment
Someone's rage becomes someone's life’

‘UGH’ is a word in Korean that describes that type of explosive anger when you have stayed silent for so long and just can’t keep quiet anymore. They acknowledge that this emotion is both helpful and hurtful and they even say that they feel rage at the fact that they have had to hold a lot in. I am sure that there are a lot of things they have wanted to speak out about over the last 7 years but of course they have to be careful and diplomatic to a certain extent which must be frustrating in itself. 

‘I go UGH! UGH!
I go UGH! UGH!
I’m raging at the malice-filled rage
I’m raging at the malice-filled rage
I go UGH! UGH!
I go UGH! UGH!
I’m raging at the rage that had to die out
I’m raging at the rage that had to die out (yeah yeah)’

To sum up ‘UGH’ I would say that it is a fantastic motivational song, even without knowing what the lyrics mean. The beat doesn’t fail to get you moving and I found myself moving around my kitchen to it on several occasions since its release. I would say it has more ‘Ddaeng’ vibes than ‘Tear’ and only time will tell where ‘UGH’ sits amongst those two amazing rap line songs. 

With the excitement surrounding the upcoming ‘Map Of The Soul’ tour, I cannot wait to see what outfits and staging is chosen for ‘UGH’ because Namjoon, Yoongi and Hobi are going to set stadiums alight all over the world when they perform this.

00:00 (Zero O'Clock) by Juliette Tran

One of my favourite performances during the Love Yourself tour was The Truth Untold, it was a song that showcased the clarity of our vocal line to a tee. With each member hitting their notes high and low to perfection, the raw and real emotions of the song hit me like a tonne of bricks. When Map of the Soul:7 was released and revealed that 00:00 (Zero O’Clock) belonged to the vocal unit, I was prepared to brace it with open arms.

Cue intro – the song takes me into a nirvana: where it’s just me at the vocal line sitting by the fireplace, roasting marshmallows; outside it’s probably snowing. The warmth this song brings to my heart is real, it’s only one verse in and I am a crying mess, lips quivering and tears dripping down my face. Only BTS know how much they mean to their ARMY and this song reinforces this understanding.

Space and time are all compacted into this song, where each member of the vocal line sings about their hardships, questioning their actions and their existence. They always manage to speak frankly about what we as people go through, and that they too have these same struggles and emotions.

The lyrics glide smoothly into the promise that time will soon reset and they will be happy again, like a new beginning. Whatever happens, the dawn of a new day brings us all hope of a new start and inevitably we will be able to find happiness, even though right now it feels hopeless. The message of the song isn’t new, they have been speaking of these themes throughout their careers, what is new is the sound, the beats and breaks and guitar strums all creating the promise of a new day for BTS and their beloved ARMY. 

I think I will forever be crying when I hear this song and look forward to seeing them perform it on the live stage. Cue crying emoji.

Inner Child by Claudia Windischmann

Journey to the past
Disclaimer: I am not a very emotional person and struggle to relate to emotional events/songs/movies the same way as most people do. But I was crying by the time the chorus played for the first time.
Even before listening to the song I was already prepared for something quite emotional. Though, as mentioned before, I usually don’t have very strong reactions to emotionally charged songs. When I heard that it was going to be V’s solo song I was looking forward to him bringing his unique style to it. After all, Singularity is one of my absolute favourite BTS solo songs. But I had no idea just how deeply the message and imagery of this song would resonate with me.
As soon as the song kicked in I immediately saw images in my head of a scenery, a child’s bedroom with a lullaby playing in the background, and I could almost see the mobile dangling above the baby’s crib. Very quickly the song moved on to the next section, dominated by an acoustic guitar and V’s beautiful vocals tiptoeing upon it. Before one could fully appreciate this part, the song moved on yet again, picking up even more speed along the way to then lead into the first chorus. I interpret this whole section as a metaphor for growing up. You are born and grow up so fast that everything rushes past you. You are constantly running, trying to keep up with everything that is changing around you. The lullaby part represents the safety and peace of a family home while the sound of the acoustic guitar in a way symbolises the fragility and innocence of a child. Keeping with that theme the second verse has a more steady rhythm, likely relating to the more stable life one leads once having reached adulthood, where everything is going more slowly and things start becoming more repetitive (uni, work, etc.).
After the second chorus the song then slows down significantly and here Taehyung’s soft vocals stand out again. I understand this slowed down section to represent the time that comes in everyone’s lives when you stop to look back and reflect upon your life, thinking about all the things you wished you had done differently and the things you wish you could’ve told your younger self. This sentiment as well as the difficulty of this reflective process is also conveyed in the lyrics of the second verse and the chorus, “I take a deep breath and knock on your door”. From that moment of reflection onwards the song picks up again and it almost feels like now it’s “full steam ahead” into a brighter future. If you can reach peace within yourself and get back in touch with your inner child (see “when our hands touch” in the final part of the song) you can move on and lead a happier life. 
On a more personal note, what touched me so much was the imagery of skies and galaxies. This resonated very deeply with me because of one specific event in my life. If you were to ask me at which moment in my life I felt absolutely happiest it would be this one moment. It was a morning in the depths of winter (my favourite season) and I was about 11 or 12 years old. It had snowed again during the night and it was freezing cold as I left for school that morning, the first sunlight still hours away. I had to walk through a big park to get there and everything was covered in deep snow that was frozen over because of the low temperatures. It was an almost surreal experience as I was walking along the path, all by myself with not a single soul around, my shoes making the only audible noise as they were crunching through the snow.
The sky was black and completely clear, with only the full moon shining down and casting the entire scenery in an almost ethereal light. I stopped and looked up into the sky, counting the stars that were dimly shining next to the bright moon, amazed at the sheer number of them. And it was at that moment that I just suddenly felt completely at peace with the entire universe and everything in it. Nothing else mattered anymore and all the pain I was going through suddenly disappeared. I’m sorry that I cannot put it into any better words and most people will probably wonder why looking up into the sky one morning could leave such a deep impression on someone. But for me it was almost like a spiritual experience and I have never felt this way again since then. But I long to go back to that moment every single day. So listening to V sing about watching the galaxies above and how much he misses that carefree inner child he used to be really hit very hard because it took me straight back to that one winter morning and the pain of knowing that I can never go back, no matter how hard I try.
Even now I tear up trying to write about it because it goes back to some of the deepest wounds that I have tried to keep buried for a very long time. But the important thing is that this is not a sad song. While V says that he misses that inner child he does look into the future with hope, to a moment where they can come together again and he can share everything with him. It is a song of hope and of acknowledgement that things do change, and not always for the better, but that change in itself is not a bad thing. It is a part of life and a part of everyone’s personal growth. There might be some regrets, there might be some things you wish you could’ve prevented yourself from going through, but when you reach out to that inner child again you will find that it never left.


 Friends by Eve Griffiths

OK, when I picked a number at random a couple of weeks ago and saw I was reviewing 친구 (Friend) from BTS’ new album I was okay with that, I knew not to have any kind of expectations when anticipating what the song would be like, it tends to be safer that way.
Then on the 20th of February, BTS released a little bit of terrifying (in a good way) information about tracks on Map Of The Soul: 7… V and Jimin singing Friend, that’s when I realised it was going to be emotional.

Naver Dispatch
The first listen of Friend was without any lyrics and I absolutely love the whole vibe it gives off, with them counting them in, it instantly gives off a happy feeling, a warm feeling.
The way they take in turns to sing emphasises that this is a friendship regardless of them being in a huge global world wide band together.
It starts with such a soft bouncy euphoric feel, the building beat leads into the chanting chorus that make this song an instant ear worm, you’ll be hearing at random moments and it will make you smile, a huge smile.
The instrumental in the background is so light and happy but complements the building beat that they harmonise over, their voices together are perfect the balance of high and low.
When the music stops and V whispers Hey Jimin, that took me by surprise but added another fun element to the whole song, especially when he giggles after and starts to sing and the beat kicks back in the whole song is just made to make you smile.
The breakdown brings the intimacy of the message of the song back and when it brings the feelings back when the choir joining in oh my word, the song is just perfect and uplifting.  The production behind the music has so many levels and in that point of the song you can really hear the tiny details that make this song so emotive.
Then when I sat down and put the lyrics to the song, I was blown away all over again.  This song is about V and Jimin remembering the childhood they shared, the best and the bad bits. The arguments that felt like the most important thing to the moments that they protected each other.
I met you when you were clammy with sweat
A somewhat strange kid
Me from the moon, you from the stars
Our conversations were like homework
BFF's on one day, enemies’ on another
I just wanna understand
Jimin sings about the differences between them and why the mystery of their personalities brought them and kept them together through the ups and downs of their journey in BTS
We are each other’s mystery (Yeah, yeah)
Is that why it’s even more special (Oh)
The chorus is a rousing promise between them that they will continue to be there for each other when the cheers from the crowds have died down.
One day when this cheer dies down, stay (Ayy), hey (Ayy)
Stay by my side
For eternity, keep staying here stay (Ayy), hey (Ayy)
Leading into them again reminiscing about uniforms, talking together on the school bus and arguments that now looking back are more like a comedy sketch. Realising that they are the same people today and their friendship is just as strong.
I remember our uniforms
Our memories are movies
The dumpling incident is a comedy movie yeah, ayy, yeah, ayy
Heartfelt stories filling the school bus
Now we go out to drive together
My favourite line from the song is at the beginning of V’s pre-chorus, it lets us into a vulnerable moment in his life that Jimin helped him through.  Referring to Jimin as a dreamcatcher in his room, could refer to how Jimin has helped him nightmares, understanding and overcoming them.
The dreamcatcher in my room
7-year-long history
Is that why it’s even more special (Oh)
And then the ultimate tear jerker line (in a good way) they sing about being each other’s soulmates, get your tissues ready these boys know how to take you on a journey of friendship in one song, making you feel as if you are there right with them.
One day when this cheer dies down, stay hey
You are my soulmate
For eternity, keep staying here hey
You are my soulmate
What makes the song even more special is the group singing/chanting you hear throughout the song is sang by other members of BTS, including them in this celebration of friendship shows that even though V and Jimin value their friendship to the end, they know that BTS is a group of friends first and foremost and that is why they all have made it so far.
Naver Dispatch
Another thought I had while listening to this song was, can you imagine them performing this song on the tour, the feelings the entire stadium would be swept up in would create a magical foot stomping inclusive moment of pure happiness.


 Moon by Holly Simpson
We have all noticed that Jin has been improving his vocals over the seven years and you can tell how much effort he has put into it in his last two solo tracks but I am here to review Moon.
The songs instrumental may feel quite simple but I think that is perfect for this song because it complements the lyrics and obviously Jin’s heavenly vocals. The song is dedicated towards ARMY, you notice this with the lyrics that he mentions throughout the song.
There are certain lyrics that stick out to me,
‘You are my earth, to you I am just a moon, your little star that brightens your heart...’
He expresses this continuously I think it is a sweet message towards the fans, and yet it seems sad at the same time like we may disappear someday. I would also like to mention the moon is a very important entity, that we need on Earth, just like BTS and Jin. 
‘Everyone says I am beautiful, but my oceans are all pitch black…’
This lyric nearly broke my heart hearing those words. We know Jin as being the funny handsome guy yet we forget that that the members go through the same doubts and sadness we all go through. Just like BTS help us through a tough times, we are also there to support and make them happy. 
Overall, I love this song it is an emotional and uplifting song that Jin has sung towards his love of the fans, mentioning that he will be our light and that he will always be beside us.


Respect by Louise Worthington

A turntable scratch over RM's vocal 'RESPECT!' kicks off the track followed by a deep baseline that punctuates the song . A sample of a longing voice saying 'Should I go or should I stay?' sounds over the track as percussive , hip hop/trap rhythms join the baseline. As RM and Suga re-enter the track the turntable hits the track. An lo-fi-esque ambling rhythm plays through the background of the song juxtaposing against the strong, deep baseline. Strained trumpet sounds oscillate adding a fresh vibe to the very rich soundscape. Pre-chorus RM and Suga use their lower registers distorting their voices over the descending baseline. Hopeful synths sounds throughout the chorus against the pleading  shouts for 'RESPECT!'. As we get to Suga's verse the soundscape empties leaving the blurred lo-fi to build up with Suga's autotune vocals. His uninhabited yells bring the song to its conclusion. A sweet dialogue between RM and Suga plays at the end of the song finishing it off. 

The lyric that stood out to me was “Money, fame, forward, forward' brings me back to 'Epilogue: Young Forever's ' 'Hope, Dream, Forward, Forward'. Intentional or not, bringing forth the past with an introspective eye at the helm seems to be a common theme in this body of work. In the context of the lyrics, RM and Suga playfully discuss what respect means and them as artists . They seem to call out those who didn't give them respect in their formative years. Perhaps 'Respect' is thrown around too easily, making it meaningless in the end.

Overall, Respect's strength lies in the vibrant, playful back and forth dialogue between RM and Suga and it's nonchalant attitude; it doesn't take itself too seriously. However, it manages to grapple with layered themes whilst clearly stating it's point. It's a homage to past with a nostalgic eye made by two people with a shared experience in their artistry. A cohesive yet diverse hip hop track.


 We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal by Cheryl Cherry

Upon researching the song Bulletproof I found out that it first started life as “We Are B.P.B” before October 2010.  It was produced and released by RM (and two others not from BTS).

Pt.1 appears to be about other performers and outsiders judging them and their reply being that they are bulletproof.  Were BTS psychic?  They sang about History in the making and being the future sons of Hip-Hop. Jimin sings about showing their superiority on the stage and I definitely feel that BTS’ live performances are on a whole other level.

Pt.2 seems to be a comparison between peers and how hard BTS have worked and sacrificed to achieve what they are achieving. Jungkook’s lyrics show this:

I pulled all-nighters at practice rooms
Instead of school, dancing and singing
While you guys partied
I gave up sleep for my dreams

The pre-chorus is about sharpening their sword, which sounds like a threat to those who judge them.

Jimin sings others can throw stones at them, if they have achieved as much as BTS have.
Due to their hard work, determination and a little bit of luck they are bulletproof.
We Are Bulletproof: Eternal addresses the 7 years BTS have been together since debut (seven winters and seven springs).  They sing about how stones can be thrown because they have no fear and that together they are bulletproof.  This song appears to be a reflection upon how far they have come.  How they used to have fear of being judged and laughed at and how now that they have Army and success they are bulletproof. In JungKook’s outro he sings that they are no longer just 7 - they have also have you (us  Army).

The first thing I noticed about We Are Bulletproof: Eternal is that it doesn’t sound as raw and
aggressive as We Are Bulletproof Pt.1 or Pt.2.  The first two bulletproofs were created in the earlier days when perhaps they felt they had a lot to prove and were judged.  Whereas this version appears to be an acceptance of how far they have grown and that they are no longer afraid.  The song sounds more mature and reflective upon their past journey.

                     Outro: Ego by Charlie Murray

ON (ft SIA) by Marsha Night
After watching the Kinetic Manifesto Film of ON and hearing it on the album I was really quite excited at what was to come from SIA lending her breathtaking vocals on the track.

As I listened to the album all the way through, ON was the last song to grace my ears.

So far so good, it sounded the same until I heard SIAs piercing vocals hit on the first chorus. "I'm alright, bring the pain on yeah, Imma fight, bring the pain on yeah". 

I expected SIA to come in on the second verse. I waited. She came in again when the snare introduced us back to the chorus.

Ok.

At this point I assumed that she would share the bridge breakdown with JK full of beautiful harmony and her signature vocal acrobatics. I was excited.

The bridge came - no SIA. 

The bridge ended and the last rounds of the chorus came in with SIA's vocals and continued until the last "Yeah" echoed around in my ears.

To be honest, I'm just confused about the whole thing. 

The song itself is magnificent, I can't fault it - it has hard hitting lyrics of overcoming obstacles and finding the power within yourself whilst being supported by the marching melody and beautiful yet hauntingly powerful percussion and choir that makes the whole song a blockbuster story.

What I don't quite understand is why SIA was in it.

I ADORE SIA, and have done for quite some time. Being a singer myself, I look up to her for her vocal tone, ability to create emotional and thought provoking music/videos and just being herself no matter what.

I am torn between wishing that SIA had a much bigger part, and also wishing that she was never a feature in the first place. I don't think I've ever been as confused and conflicted over a song before.

I'm disappointed. I was expecting a feature that was going to blow me out of the water and add so much more depth to an already exceptional song, instead the depth and power only came in a small section of the chorus and it wasn't enough. For me.

However, I do recognise that having SIA work with BTS is great, clearly she must enjoy and resonate with them and their message. She has always been a very truthful person and I believe that she and BTS will claim high regard for each other. It's wonderful to see an eclectic mix of people wanting to work with BTS, it's really does show that music transcends language and it really is just music, good music.


I hope in the future that BTS and SIA get to combine their talents again, showcasing all of their abilities that they have proven time and time again to be nothing short of magic.

BANGTANTV

Sia



We at BTS Radio UK hope you enjoyed our take of the album, did you agree or disagree with the reviewers? Leave a comment, or if you'd like to send in your own review to publish you can email them to shinara.btsradiouk@gmail.com


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BTS' new album 'Map of the Soul: 7' is available to buy and download from all major platforms, and selected retailers, (please buy physical albums from HMV, official Amazon UK, Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons to count towards UK charts)



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