Perhaps the seven most recognizable faces in the world, who comprise the world-renowned K-pop band BTS, are back less than a year after releasing the seven-track EP Map of the Soul: Persona. However, BTS’ latest venture, the 20-track MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, is a step back from the musically profound road listeners were given just months ago.
Five of Map of the Soul: Persona’s seven tracks — excluding “Mikrokosmos” and “HOME” — appear on the Korean septet’s latest album, and those will not be discussed here. Kim Seok-jin (Jin), Min Yoon-gi (Suga), Jung Ho-seok (j-hope), Kim Nam-joon (RM), Park Ji-min (Jimin), Kim Tae-hyung (V) and Jeon Jung-kook (Jungkook) know they’re some of the best in the business at creating heartfelt, exhaustive, intricate music, but they’re dragged down sonically for the most part within their latest effort’s remaining 15 tracks.
There’s no doubt BTS will earn the same accolades it received with Map of the Soul: Persona because its fans will stop at nothing to give their boys incessant attention and affection, but the band doesn’t deserve it here. The boys are capable of much more than the monotonous trap beat on “Black Swan,” though its lyrics are intriguing. “Filter” might as well be called “Filler” because nothing has screamed “filler track” more. The thought-provoking lyricism and angst on “UGH!” is brought down by its chaotic instrumentation. The production makes up most of the album’s problems, and it’s disheartening because the boys supply pure poetry all throughout, but only three tracks simultaneously execute both well.
Here are the best three tracks from MAP OF THE SOUL : 7:
Note: all lyrics have been translated to English for this article
3. “Outro : Ego”
After a brief intro from RM, j-hope takes listeners on an upbeat extravaganza on “Outro : Ego.” Backed by jazzy instrumentation, j-hope distills down to an essence what it feels like to reminisce on past experiences, be proud of who you’ve become and look forward to what’s next: “Now I don’t care / It’s all choices by fate, so we’re here / Look ahead; the way is shining’ / Keep going now.” The track fades out with infectious harmonies that’ll knock your socks right off, and it’s wholly feel-good vibes.
2. “My Time”
“My Time” provides a glimpse back to the prime of boy bands like *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, but Jungkook gifts listeners with a kind of beauty no one else could replicate. Jungkook is talking directly to BTS fans, who call themselves ARMY, as he thanks them for being his support system through both the good and bad times. Alongside a subtle trap beat and enthralling harmonies, Jungkook doesn’t hold back at all with the gratitude: “Even if it’s opposite of the sun, one time for the present, two times for the past / Happy that we met each other, now ’til the very end.” The inspiring feelings evoked all throughout the track are unparalleled.
1. “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)”
On “00:00 (Zero O’Clock),” perhaps the most relatable and vulnerable track on the album, the entire group takes the time to reveal that even though they’re the biggest stars in the world, they, too, experience dreary days. In the first verse, Jungkook manifests his melancholy thoughts: “You know those days when you’re sad for no reason, those days when your body is heavy / … My feet won’t set off, though it seems like I’m already too late / I’m hateful of the whole world.” Zero o’clock symbolizes the beginning of every new day, and they’re reminding listeners that tomorrow is bound to be better, so channel the pain into motivation to keep going: “And you gonna be happy / Turn this all around / When everything is new, zero o’clock.” The track is immensely beautiful, and it’s the best on MAP OF THE SOUL : 7.
Rating: 1.5/5
