First Impressions of BTS’s MOTS 7

This morning I’ll begin sharing my thoughts and interpretations of BTS’s latest CD, Map of the Soul 7. Please be patient as I slowly put pen to paper, while I re-listen to each track over the next twenty-four hours. Note: I am only going to comment on new songs, as the CD also contains several previously released tracks. Also, English translations will vary from site to site, so bear with me.

Before I discuss the individual material, let me say that I nervously awaited the package. Would I love it as much as past CD’s, or would it fall short? I had high expectations, so when the box arrived, I apprehensively placed the CD in my computer, and… As I explained to my husband, I got goosebumps.

I can honestly say that I’m enamored with every song on Map of the Soul 7. Once again, BTS have outdone themselves, by presenting us with a variety of musical genres, while revisiting references (persona, shadow, and ego) laid out by Jungian psychoanalyst Murray Stein. Each song is unique, filled with inspiring lyrics, both light and dark. It pits wishes, and expectations against reality, and shows how the seven have dealt with these issues over a seven-year period. Are you sensing a theme?

I love the use of multiple instruments throughout the CD. In my opinion, they long ago left the world of KPop, attesting to the fact that they’re not afraid of dipping their toes into foreign waters. On a recent Today Show broadcast, individual members spoke of their development, sharing how much they have grown as persons, and songwriters.

First on the list this morning, Friends, a refreshing, upbeat song featuring Jimin and Taehyung (V), who share the joy they feel regarding the blossoming friendship between the two. They begin as total strangers from different backgrounds, thrown together into a then unknown band, BTS.

Jimin talks about how Seoul sparkled the first time he saw it, and how in the beginning, their friendship was a struggle.

Was another new world to me
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

The duet goes back and forth, and even brings up an inside joke about Jimin’s pinky finger. It’s a song filled with treasured memories, like the time Jimin bought Tae a dreamcatcher, to put an end to his frequent nightmares. They fondly recall the past seven years, and declare they’ll still be soulmates, long after the cheers from the crowd have ceased (the end of the band).

Zero O’clock

I like the play on words.

The song begins with an electric guitar reminiscent of the early 60’s, while an acoustic guitar softly carries the chorus. The vocal line churns out lovely harmonies, soothing our souls, giving us hope. It’s a song about starting over and getting second chances in life. They assure us happiness will reign when the hands of the clock bring us a new day and a new beginning.

Moon

This is Seokjin’s solo, which he dedicates to Army. A catchy tune with Jin’s flawless voice. He is saying, if it weren’t for you, I would be no one. He is the moon, looking down on the earth.

You are my Earth
And all I see is you

Then later

During bright days
During dark nights
You stay by my side
When I’m sad
When I’m hurting
You just shine over me


ON


One of my favorite tracks, and the featured song. It hits hard, lyrically and musically, and the MV is tough as nails. The dancing doesn’t get much better than this. The instrumental break reminds me of Fleetwood Mac’s, Tusk.

I can’t understand what people are sayin’
Who and what do I need to follow
With each step then again grows the shadow
Where is this place I open my eyes to
Maybe Seoul or New York or Paris
I get up, unsteady on my feet

Then later admitting that of course they’ve been scared and how it’s been a tough road for all of them.

Of course I‘m not unafraid
Of course it’s not all okay


However, they overcame and faced their fears. Accepting that life is yin and yang. Taking the good with the bad.

Hey na-na-na
Gotta go insane to stay sane
Hey na-na-na
Throw myself whole into both worlds
Hey na-na-na
Can’t hold me down ‘cuz you know I’m a fighter
Carried myself into this beautiful prison


Inner Child


This is Taehyung’s solo venture, and his vocals shine. The first few guitar measures have a John Mayer feel to them. It’s Tae reaching out to his younger self, affirming that everything will work out, and not to be afraid of change. He’s saying to hang in there, because the tough times shall pass.

At that time, we were so tired
While looking up at those stars in the sky, too far out of reach
You at that time, didn’t believe in galaxies
But I saw it, a silver galaxy

Chorus

The tingling sun and that summer’s air
The grey-lit streets’ sounds that were so cold
I draw in a breath and knock at your door
We gon’ change
We gon’ change
We gon’ change
We gon’ change


My Time


Jungkook’s brilliant release. Being cast into the limelight at the age of fifteen, he questions himself about missing out on a “normal” life. Did I grow up too fast?

24, feels like I became a grown-up faster than everyone else
My life has been a movie, all the time
I ran to where the sun rises every single night
It’s like I’ve been to someone’s tomorrow
The boy who found the world too big
Keep on runnin’ errday, mic pic it up
Friends ridin’ subway, I’ll be in the airplane mode


The flowing chorus makes you yearn along with him.

Oh I can’t call ya I can’t hol’ ya
Oh I can’t
And yes you know yes you know
Oh I can’t call ya I can’t touch ya
Oh I can’t
Let me know
Can I someday finna find my time
Finna find my time
Someday finna find my time

But in a later chorus, his focus changes:


Oh I will call ya I will hol’ ya
Oh I will
And yes you know yes you know
Oh I will call ya I will touch ya
Oh I will
And you know
Can I someday finna find my time
Can I someday finna find my time
Finna find my time

Find my time


UGH!

Here’s the classic rap line, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Yoongi, dealing with pent up fury, set against an oriental flavored background. A Twitter user offered this explanation of the title: “UGH has the same meaning in English and Korean… UGH! is like a sound of frustration/annoyance/anger.”

In verse two they exclaim:

Rage? Of course you need it
When it burns up there’s always a reason
Mayhaps it’s our history
Sometimes it changes the world
But this is not rage, this is excretion…


Pre-Chorus


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)


Verse three sees the rappers criticizing those who hide behind masks of anonymity, and willingly cast their anger against others.


This world, it is taken over by rage
It seems that nobody can live without rage
Raging, again raging, and raging
Going insane, like UGH! UGH! UGH! UGH!
There are tens of thousands of reasons to be raging
Good will and evil will, all the very same
I can rage, but if there were to be damage done
To others’ lives, I don’t like…

Louder Bombs


This haunting melody really moves me.You can feel the emotion elicited by Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi, and co-author,  Troye Sivan, in this riveting song featuring all seven members of BTS, about a fallen relationship.

Verse I and Chorus scream:

It’s become too clear now
The unfamiliar shadow in the midst of those cheers
I probably won’t be able to believe them again
The words that tell me to only look on the bright side
My silent sadness
It shakes me
In my quiet sea
The waves crash in

Chorus

Louder than bombs I break
The pain that spills over
From the moment I knew that
The expressions on your face weren’t actually what they seemed
Louder than bombs I break

Outro: Ego

I have to admit, that it’s not one of my favorites, even though I am a huge Hoseok fan (think Daydream and Hope World), however, the MV is an absolute delight, and colorful treat. The song is well written, and definitely catchy, filled with African/Cuban beats, and plenty of horns. It’s nothing personal, but just a little too “poppy” for my taste. As far as the rap line is concerned, RM and Suga’s tracks have always been more appealing to me as a whole. Even though, I do have to admit, it is growing on me, the more I listen.

Ego is a look at his life, and how he’s moving ahead.

Verse 1

Go back every day
To me of yesterday
To the life of giving up
I let myself go away
But in this world, you know
There are truths unchanged
Time rushes ever forward
There’s no ifs, buts, or maybes
Almost forgotten memories return…


Verse 2 sees resolution as he looks at Hoseok and compares him with his alter-ego, of JHope.

Life not of j-hope but Jeong Ho-Seok flashes by
It must have been full of regret with no hope till I die
My dancing was chasing ghosts
Blaming my dream, asking why I live and breathe
Oh my God
Uh time goes by
Seven years of anguish come out finally
Oppressions all resolved…


Black Swan

When I watched the video (as performed by performed by MN Dance Company) and heard the first few lines of this song, I couldn’t believe my ears. By the time the video ended, I was head-over-heels in love. This is easily, one of my very favorites on the CD. It’s like nothing they’ve done before, and in my estimation, will remain one of their classic releases of all times. Here’s BTS’s premier performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The dulcet melody echoes the worries of what occurs when the music inside no longer expresses itself. What becomes of the soul? It’s the fear that many musicians/writers face on a daily basis.

Verses one and two:


The heart no longer races
When hearing the music play
Tryna’ pull up
Seems like time has stopped
Oh that would be my first death
I been always afraid of

If this can no longer resonate
No longer make my heart vibrate
Then like this may be how
I die my first death
But what if that moment’s right now
Right now


Chorus:

Ocean with all light silenced shut yeah, yeah, yeah
My wandering feet held in a rut yeah, yeah, yeah
Every noise and sound’s been cut yeah, yeah, yeah
Killin’ me now, killin’ me now
Do you hear me yeah
Sinking slowly like in a trance nah, nah, nah
Struggle but it’s all ocean floor nah, nah
Every moment becomes eternity yeah, yeah, yeah
Film it now, film it now
Do you hear me yeah

Filter


Jimin’s solo, with nuances of flamenco music, is definitely, one of my go to songs on this CD. “I came up with this song ‘Filter’,” he explained, in an interview with Spotify. “Filters can be the things within a camera application, or social media, but it can also mean people’s perspective or prejudice. “I took these various meanings and expressed it into the song of how I want to present myself to the world in many different ways. I think I’ll be able to show a new side of me that’s very different from my previous tracks, Serendipity” and “Lie”.”

Pre-Chorus:

Oh, I will embrace you like in your dreams
Oh, it’s a covert spec
For you, everyday I’ll be new
It’s not fun for something to stay the same all the time


Chorus:

Mix the colors in the pallete, pick your filter
Which me do you want?
To change your world, I’m your filter

Overlay me in your heart


Interlude: Shadow


Min Yoongi’s driven rap and introspective lyrics, make this, one killer track. What happens when your dreams come to fruition? Is is what we expect, or is the price we pay, too high? Hopefully, once we attain our dreams, we stay grounded without drowning. Here’s the comeback trailer, featuring Yoongi at his absolute finest. Hats off to the production company.


Intro

I wanna be a rap star
I wanna be the top
I wanna be a rockstar
I want it all mine
I wanna be rich
I wanna be the king
I wanna go win

I wanna be…


Verse 1


Ooh, I wondered everyday how far I’d go
I came to my senses and I find myself here
Yeah, hmm, shadow at my feet
Look down, it’s gotten even bigger
I run but the shadow follows, as dark as the light’s intense
I’m afraid, flying high is terrifying
No one told me how lonely it is up here
I can leap in the air but also plunge, now I know
Running away could be an option too, pause
People say, there’s splendor in that bright light
But my growing shadow swallows me and becomes a monster
Up high, high, and higher, higher
I only go higher and vertigo overtakes me
I rise, rise, I hate it

I pray, I pray, hoping to be okay


Intro: Persona

Who am I? The question I had my whole life
The question which I probably won’t find an answer to my whole life…


…My shadow, I wrote and called it hesitation
It has never hesitated after becoming that
It keeps appearing under the stage or the light
Keeps glaring at me scorchingly like a heat wave (Oh shit)
Hey, have you already forgotten why you even started this

You were just digging it that someone was listening…


Respect


A song asking the meaning of the words “admiration” and “respect”. RM and Suga, also reflect on the mutual respect they have for one another, in this great one-on-one. The first verse, serves up old-school beats, as they call out for listeners to thoughtfully reflect on the idea of “Respect.”


What is “respect”? (What, hyung?)
I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking, you rascal (Oh, I see)
What even is “respect”?
Why is everyone saying it
Honestly I can’t understand
Admiring someone
Was it something really that easy?
I still can’t understand it
To be honest, there’s no need for admiration
When there’s not even respect
Everyone except you knows people talk shit behind your back
I honestly respect you
You have no intention to respect me so just skip it
Respect, I respect you
Applause to that pal who speak ill while smiling


And last but certainly not least, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal


While reading all the chatter on Twitter, it was hard to miss all the theories about this cut. How would it compare to We Are Bulletproof, parts one and two, and what is the connection? I must say I was pleasantly surprised when the CD arrived on my doorstep. For one, it’s more laid-back, but it’s still rumination on holding up even under the worst of circumstances. Proud to say, that the seven are even stronger now than they ever were. It’s called perseverance at its finest.

Verse 1


We had nothing but dreams
Nothing but foggy mornings when we opened our eyes
We stayed up all night to dance and sing
The endless music sheets


Verse 2


Ay, we bravely shout
“Throw all you have”
First fight with the world
Don’t wanna die
But so much pain
Too much cryin’
So blunted blades


Pre-Chorus


Oh, I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
We were only seven
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
But we have you all now
After seven winters and springs
At the tips of our entwined fingers
Oh I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Yeah, we got to heaven




Thanks for listening! Marion