Music Musings: BTS gives comfort and healing through "BE"

 

"One day, the world stopped without any warning," sings Jung Kook on the first line of BTS' BE's title track "Life Goes On." 2020 has seen a tumultuous shift in how we deal with our everyday lives brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. And the world in a way indeed stopped. No different from us, BTS also experienced life in quarantine. The group was supposed to go on their stadium world tour last April, but plans got cancelled due to the pandemic. Given the circumstances, the boys had to make do of the time they have and decided to document their feelings during such difficult times and give fans a gift – “BE.”

"BE" is a documentation of their life during the pandemic released last 20 November 2020. As an ARMY, I highly anticipated this release. It is after all one wherein the boys participated most - from writing, composing, and producing to the concept photos, the album design, and the MV. It is something that the boys poured their hearts and souls into while sharing the whole process with ARMY through live videos.

"I'm at the office. So yeah, had to hold back the emotions. But gosh, this song. And the album. Blue and Grey now playing. Huhu. What have you done, BTS?" This was my exact tweet when I first listened to the album. The emotions this album gave us was something else.

"Life Goes On" perfectly encapsulates the feelings we have while time seemed frozen and the world seemed lifeless. It gives a melancholic mood while giving off positivity. With lyrics such as “There’s no end in sight. Is there a way out?” which perfectly summarizes what we all are feeling right at this moment. (Will this pandemic ever end?) “Like an echo in the forest the day will come back around as if nothing happened. Yeah, life goes on. Like an arrow in the blue sky, another day flying by. On my pillow, on my table Yeah, life goes on like this again” as its chorus plays, giving us a ray of positivity as we sing along. 

On the other hand, "Fly to My Room" (a subunit song from J-Hope, Jimin, Suga, and V) talks about how the concept of travel has changed since traveling has been restricted. As V sings, “This room is all I have. Well, then I'll just change this place to my world." The solace we have found in our little rooms during this pandemic that some may have not felt before was perfectly seen through this song. I loved how Jimin and V's voices meshed with their tones meeting halfway. I just wished there were more rap parts for J-Hope and Suga on this one. Nonetheless, this song gives off such a nice atmosphere.

"Blue & Grey" – the song that was supposed to be a part of V's mixtape – comes next. The emotion this song gives with those delicate vocals and rap parts was something else. This song is probably my favorite from the album. I felt all the feelings it is trying to portray without even reading the lyrics. It hit hard and got me teary-eyed the first listen. When V started the song with the lyrics "Where is my angel?... Someone come and save me, please." It's just... I can't. And when the chorus part that says: "Oh this ground feels so heavier. I am singing by myself. I just wanna be happier. Would this also be greed?" played, I was not able to hold back - I really cried. As V said (in his Weverse Magazine interview), "I wrote “Blue & Grey” when I was at my lowest point, when I was actually asking whether I could keep going with my work or not. Even the fun parts of work became a chore, and my whole life felt aimless." Somehow it was his way of getting over his problem and he is in a better place now.

After such an emotional ride comes "Skit" which is not a song, but a recording of their conversation after their first Hot 100 No. 1 with Dynamite. I have always wondered why they put a skit in an album, but now, as a fan, I appreciated it more. This is them sharing their emotions and feelings about the news to us – which makes it more special. This – smack in the middle – is like a transition to a more upbeat portion of the album, paving the way for "Telepathy."

"Telepathy" sets you into some sort of a party mood. You cannot help but vibe with this dancy tune. The autotune (which was not used to cover up bad vocals, but as a creative flavor) added a different color to the song’s overall ambiance. (Why did Suga keep in it the back all these years? Or maybe it is just waiting for the right moment to be finally released?) The song is perfectly fitting for this album. According to Jin (during the global press conference for "BE"), the lyrics describe the sad reality where BTS cannot meet fans due to the pandemic.  As Suga starts the song, "In the days that feel the same, I'm the happiest when I meet you." It is also telling that even though BTS and ARMY cannot be together physically, they are still together in heart and in mind.

"Dis-ease" the sixth track on the album talks about the love-hate relationship with work as a disease. As J-hope shared (in his Weverse Magazine interview), "When I was working, I’d say, “Ugh, I need a break,” but then we took time off and the words, “Ugh, I want to work,” jumped out of my mouth!” That’s what made me think more closely: “Why is this bothering me? I have a chance to rest—just take it. Why do I feel like I need to work under these circumstances? Is this an occupational disease?” I felt like this was a part of me that I could express at this point in time." Although it talks about such a thing, the scratching and the beat of the song urges you to get over it and stay positive. As the lyrics tell us, "There's no eternal night. I've become stronger. Fireworks are bursting. I will never fade away."

The upbeat songs continue with "Stay." This subunit song by Jin, Jung Kook, and RM was originally meant for Jung Kook's mixtape. This EDM track –  reminiscent of their song So What – makes you want to jump off your seat and dance. Just as Jungkook said (through a Weverse Magazine interview), "We imagined we were performing for the fans while we made it, jumping up and down with them." This song sends a message that even though we're far apart, we always stay together – "Wherever you are, I know you always stay." as the song goes.

Lastly, the song that was such a bop you never get tired of –  "Dynamite" –  their first all-English song. Although they were not sure if the song will be included in the album at first, it was a good way to end it. As its lyrics go: "I'm diamond, you know I glow up" and "Shining through the city with a little funk and soul. I'mma light it up like dynamite." The bright and positive atmosphere and message that this disco tune gives off was the perfect way to end "BE" which talks about going through tough times and life going on during this pandemic.

“BE” is a project album and is thus not part of the whole Bangtan Universe or the story they create with their releases. And although it does not give the bang that Map of the Soul:7 gave us last February, this album was a welcome gift. It is simple, but not quite, and full of emotions. It gives nothing short of what the boys wanted to convey – a message of healing and connecting with fans despite not seeing each other.

“BE” is like a warm hug. The comfort we never knew we needed. A reminder that despite everything life goes on – this too shall pass – and a better day will come. As J-Hope sings in “Life Goes On,” “Let us thread tomorrow with today. Stopped for now, but don't hide in the shadow. Once again daylight will glow.”