BTS - “BE” Review

Story posted November 25, 2020 in Arts & Entertainment by Megan Kelby.

Sensational K-Pop group BTS released their ninth studio album to date titled “BE.” Hailing from South Korea, BTS has quickly grown into a worldwide name and, in many cases, is seen as the face of K-Pop.

Consisting of seven members, Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, Jungkook and V, the boy band has made a name for themselves and broken barriers along the way.

The first three songs of the album, “Life Goes On,” “Fly to My Room” and “Blue & Grey” have many similarities. Though they have noticeably different tunes, the beats themselves seem to disappear into the background.

Rightfully so, a majority of the lyrics are Korean, with only some pieces of the chorus and other phrases being in English. All three songs also have a rap about halfway through, which breaks down the beat, giving listeners a rest from the monotonous melody. However, it eventually switches back.

Following those tracks is a curveball, as far as most studio albums are concerned. Simply titled “Skit,” the three minute long track is a conversation among the seven members about their number one spot on Billboard’s Top 100. Though spoken in Korean, listeners can still hear the banter and goofy laughs from the members as they excitedly discuss how blown away they are.

At first listen, to non Korean speakers, it’s hard to understand why it would be included since it isn’t a song. However, it is a direct appeal to longtime fans who would find joy and pride in hearing their excitement about a goal many artists can only dream of.

Immediately after the intimate moment of “Skit,” listeners are met with the two best songs on the album, “Telepathy” and “Dis-ease.” Like the others before, both have raps and sound slightly dated. However, the mix of fast tempos and changing beats show another side to the group.

“Telepathy” comes first with a fast paced techno beat. Though it is catchy, it is very similar to modern pop songs on the radio. That being said, its uniqueness compared to the previous tracks make it worth a listen.

The high energy continues with “Dis-ease,” which opens with a classic rap sound complete with record scratching in the background. The overall appeal of this track comes from its similarities to what would be played at a middle school dance. The snapping, vocalization, frequent beat changes and fun raps give flashbacks to a simpler time making it a fun song to listen to.

After the nostalgic experience of “Dis-ease,” the final two songs, “Stay” and “Dynamite” are a disappointment. Neither of them are terrible, but there is nothing special to point out except that “Dynamite” is the only track sung in English from start to finish.

The purpose of “BE” seemed to be an opportunity for the boys to have fun after their recent accomplishment and enjoy their time together. The addition of “Skit” helped give the album a deeper meaning by connecting listeners with real life excitement and gratitude from the members.

Within their own discography, the album fits well among the modge podge of genres the group has dipped into, and it also seems like it would do a good job with today's music landscape. A few songs might not make the cut, but all in all, it is captivating enough to make its way to the top.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewer’s Favorite Song: “Dis-ease”

Reviewer’s Least Favorite Song: “Blue & Grey”

 

Megan Kelby is a freshman majoring in communications. To contact her, email mkk5701@psu.edu.