South Korean group BTS released “Map of the Soul: 7” on Feb. 21, the continuation of its 2019 album, “Map of the Soul: Persona.” The album has already broken sales records, selling 2.18 million copies within the first two hours of its release and shooting to the top of the iTunes charts.
The album adds 14 new tracks to the “Map of the Soul” storyline, a philosophical exploration of what makes the members who they are, and how they convey that to their fans.
“Map of the Soul: Persona” gave its five tracks to “Map of the Soul: 7”: “Intro: Persona,” “Boy with Luv” (the group’s collaboration with Halsey that broke YouTube’s 24-hour viewership record), “Make It Right,” “Jamais Vu” and “Dionysus.”
In anticipation of the album, two trailers and one single were released. The first trailer, a music video for a shortened “Interlude: Shadow,” was released Jan. 9, and the second trailer, a music video for “Outro: Ego,” was released Feb. 2. The single, “Black Swan,” was released alongside a dance performance Jan. 17.
“Map of the Soul: 7” is a masterpiece. The storyline that BTS and its label created is another facet of the group’s commitment to be a voice for young people across the world. The way the songs build on the message brings the whole circle of BTS’s career together.
With the release of the album, fans also saw the first of two music videos for the album’s lead single, “ON.” It’s an upbeat track that hammers home the message that BTS will always fight for its fans. I loved the song and video. The vocals are amazing, especially from Jungkook and Jimin. It is energizing, and I almost wanted to fight alongside them.
The seven members split into their sub-units, singers and rappers, for two tracks: “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” and “UGH!”
The four vocalists Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook sing “00:00 (Zero O’Clock).” The song is about midnight, the time when everything starts over and begins again. I didn’t think this song would affect me the way it did. I was nearly in tears throughout the four-minute run time. The lyrics are beautiful, and the boys’ voices are like honey.
Contrasting that, the rappers RM, Suga and J-Hope perform “UGH!” I, personally, am a big fan of the rappers’ songs on BTS’ albums. The three boys use these songs to express their anger in ways the seven of them can’t all convey together. Because “UGH!” talks about rage in such an open way, it easily became one of my favorites.
The last group track on the album is “We are Bulletproof: The Eternal,” a continuation of “We are Bulletproof Pt. 2,” the lead single from the group’s debut album in 2013. “We are Bulletproof: The Eternal” is one of the many love letters to fans BTS has released over the years. BTS began with just the seven of them, and now encompasses them and all of their fans worldwide.
I was a blubbering mess during this song. It’s a different tone than the other two “We are Bulletproof” tracks. Where parts one and two have heavy beats and fast rapping, this one softer and melodic. It’s intimate, in a way. I really enjoyed it. I don’t listen to it often because it’s so emotional.
“Map of the Soul: 7” is a beautiful album and has amazing tracks. The album was meant to serve as a reset to BTS’ career; a point to start over. It serves that purpose by tying new tracks and feelings to ones from the first album.
If you never were interested in listening to BTS before, you should be now. This album is amazing.
