Music Musings: Diving into BTS' Map of the Soul: 7

Taking the time off from work and school to somehow destress. And what better way to do it? Listen to some good music.

Hi fellow music lovers, and yes, ARMYs!

If you are a music lover (whether you like it or not), you have probably heard of BTS, a 7 member Korean boy group taking the world by storm (winning Billboard Music Awards, being number 1 at the Billboard Charts, performing at the Grammys – and these are just a few of what they have accomplished so far, internationally).

“Map of the Soul: 7” (MOTS 7) is the latest album from BTS. Being an ARMY for, I think, almost a year, (Not long, I know! Why did I take so long to notice them?) this was my first comeback. And just like any other ARMY around the world, I was full of anticipation for this release.

Then came the most awaited date for us fans: 21 February. And bam “MOTS 7” arrived with its 20-track list (digital version). These include 5 songs from their 2019 Mini Album “Map of the Soul: Persona,” 14 new songs, and 1 other version of the title track with Sia.

As what the official Bighit site states: ““MAP OF THE SOUL: 7” looks back on the past seven years of BTS since their debut as seven members of one team. The journey was not always smooth sailing and there were special travails that they had to endure in their rise as global superstars. Now, understanding that the scars left by those hardships are a part of their real selves, BTS accepts both “the self I want to show” and the “self I want to scorn” to at last tell their own story of finding their “real and complete selves.”

This album is based on Carl Jung’s Map of the Soul with concepts of shadow and ego. It begins with the five tracks from “Map of the Soul: Persona,” which is about BTS’ self in front of everyone, starting with RM’s “Intro: Persona”.

Suga’s “Interlude: Shadow,” which kickoffs the new songs, talks about the fears one faces when one becomes successful and reaches a certain level of fame. It also acknowledges that your shadow is a part of yourself that you must embrace. (Yoongi killed it with this one.) On the other hand, “Outro: Ego” gives a joyful salsa vibe which has J-Hope singing about fate, and how he has come to what he is now – accepting all that he is. (This bop is so Hobi. He really is our sunshine.) These two tracks were released as comeback trailers before the full album.

“Black Swan,” which was also initially released prior is about the fear of losing passion for what you love (for BTS, when music no longer touches them) which is considered the first, and more painful death.

“Louder than Bombs,” tells us that sadness and fear are something we all encounter and that BTS is here listening to our stories and will continue to sing no matter what happens. (I love this song. And Troye Sivan is one of the composers. What more can you ask for?)

“00:00 (Zero O’Clock),” a vocal line song, assures us that even if you had a bad day, it would come to an end and reset at 00:00 and another day, a better day, will come. As they sing “And you’re gonna be happy.” (A ray of positivity is just what we need.)

The song “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” concludes We are Bulletproof Pt.1 and Pt.2 from their previous albums. On this track, BTS relieves how they have braved through the hard times to become what they are now – stronger. The lyrics “We were only seven, but we have you all now,” communicates to ARMYs who have been with them along the way. And how “We (BTS and ARMYs) are together bulletproof.” (I literally cried listening to this song. I picture this as the ending song for the tour while ARMYs are shedding tears. When will I have the chance to see them, boys? The Philippines as a tour stop, pretty please?)

The fun and playful “Friends” from Jimin and V recount their friendship over the years – talking about moments from the past and how they want to stay together and still be friends no matter what happens. (The “You are my alien” and “Just like your tiny pinky” lines are just so funny. This is so Vmin. The 95 liners, are indeed soulmates.)

The vocal line also each have their individual songs on the album. Jimin’s “Filter” talks about how he “[wants] to present [himself] to the world in many different ways" while Jungkooks “My Time” looks back on his journey to fame and how his life has changed since then. On V’s anthemic song, reminiscent of Coldplay, “Inner Child,” he reflects on his past self, who was going through a hard time. Lastly, Jin sings to the fans with “Moon” saying he is the moon orbiting and looking after the earth who are the ARMYs.

In “UGH!” the rap line conveys how they hate it when anger/rage which is a necessary part of someone’s life becomes destructive when used negatively. As explained by a Korean, it also says that they are angry that the rage needed for positive change is dying out. “Respect,” a song from RM and Suga had them contemplating over the real meaning of the word.

Lastly, the title track "ON" packs a lot of kick – talking about accepting who you are (positives and negatives included), acknowledging your shadow, and being ready to face whatever comes your way (Bring the pain, oh yeah!). “Can’t hold me down ’cause you know I’m a fighter” as its refrain says. No matter what they might encounter, including their fears, they will continue on their fated path. (Fighting BTS! Fighting ARMYs!)

This album is just sooo good. I loved each and every song. Although there are a lot of different styles within the album, I still believe it worked. And that is just BTS, they never settle for one genre – going beyond what is expected of them. As what V, Jungkook, and J-Hope said in an interview “The genre is BTS.”

Listen to the album on Spotify: