BE / BTS / November 20, 2020
- Joshua Yoo
- Nov 26, 2020
- 2 min read
After the release and immense success of their anthemic disco-pop cut “Dynamite,” the expectation was that BTS’s fifth studio album would continue the high energy and intensity of their characteristic blend of pop, rap, and EDM. But instead, the group opts for intimacy, honesty, and heartening encouragement in their sound, scaling back the sonic theatrics and conveying a sense of sincerity in their artistry not seen to this extent before.
Part of this transparency may be due to the amount of creative control that the members had in the making of this record, as ‘BE’ is the closest to a self-produced album the BTS has ever released. And it reflects in the overall structure of the album: as the group flits from genre to genre over the 8-track run, each track seems to highlight a different set of strengths of different members within the group, such as the track “Dis-ease,” where the vinyl-scratching hip-hop style instrumental finds j-hope and RM in their element.
The track “Blue & Grey” sees the BTS members at their most vulnerable, addressing their personal battles and career struggles amidst the plucked guitar balladry. The message is weary and melancholic, empathizing with the difficulty of current life, but it doesn’t remain this way for long. With the 70s-esque electric organ groove of “Fly to My Room,” and the festival EDM rave of “Stay,” BTS asks their fans to remain strong and hopeful, instilling a sense of encouragement in the tone of their music.
Thus, it doesn’t require a lengthy runtime for BTS to convey their messages of hope. The eight tracks are enough to impact any listener in a hopefully positive way.
Best Track(s): Fly to My Room, Blue & Grey, Dis-ease, Dynamite
Lowlight(s): Telepathy
SCORE: 7/10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSuOwf24psk
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