It’s heeeeeere! One Fangirl stayed up late (made easier by time zones), another set their clock to wake up super early, while some of us stumbled out of bed and blasted it in our cars on the way to drop off the kids. However we expressed our fangirl dedication, we’ve all had a chance to listen to BTS’s newest album, Map of the Soul : Persona and we want to share our first thoughts with you. Let’s check out this fantastic new album together!
Intro : Persona
MiataMama: We already got a taste of Map of the Soul when the MV for the first song, Intro : Persona, premiered two weeks ago. This solo piece, couples RM’s skillful rap skills with a heavy bass and electric guitar beat. This song has made my BTS playlist – which is saying a LOT, since I usually ffwd past rap heavy songs.
Kmuse: RM is brilliant as usual.
Clkytta: I love this track. When I first heard it I knew immediately this was a BTS intro.
KdramaJen: This is one of my favorite songs in the album. I love the lyrics and I love the way it captures RM’s many sides. It spoke to me, and now I just crank it up in my car.
Drama Geek: If you haven’t watched the video with lyrics on, DO IT! So far I think this track hits most of the persona duality. RM is exploring who he is, and who we think he is. The second half of the song has so much flow and I can’t help singing along.
Karie the Maknae: I have an unreserved love for RM’s fiery rap. Like Drama Geek, I highly recommend reading the lyrics. This resonates.
Boy With Luv
MiataMama: Ever since the color-popping teaser dropped two days ago, for Boy With Luv, I’ve been anxious to hear the full song and see the video! The music is right up my alley – fun and upbeat – and features the added voice talent of Halsey. The MV is bright and cheery, just like the boys’ various hair colors! I absolutely adored the nod to Gene Kelly, in Singing in the Rain, towards the end of the video. Just keep an eye out for RM in the white fedora. . .
Kmuse: I liked this song more and more as I listened throughout the day. Surprisingly, I found I liked it more when i wasn’t trying to focus on everything that was happening in the MV. Which doesn’t mean that I didn’t completely appreciate the sexiness of V with his blue hair!
Kdrama Jen: I like the Halsey collaboration. It is fun and upbeat and I am catching myself singing it. The MV is colorful and funky, but I actually prefer just listening.
Clkytta: I was really impressed with the collaboration in this one. Not only is the song fun, but I really liked what Halsey brought to it. Instead of being overwhelming and competing with the boys, her vocals were a good compliment.
Drama Geek: You all expressed everything I wanted to say. It was so fun to actually see Halsey dancing with the boys (most collabs videos are shot separately and then pieced together) and they all seemed to really have fun with the song and this MV. I must point out the Suga looks FANTASTIC shuffling around on that keyboard. And I about lost it with RM showed up on stage.
Karie the Maknae: Boy With Luv will grow on me—I can hear it. It’s very bubblegum, but these are my BOYS. For them, I will love bubblegum.
Mikrokosmos
MiataMama: Next up is Mikrokosmos. I love the bright, techno-pop sound of this song. The combination of their voices in harmony and song’s chorus line, evokes images of taking a trip through the cosmos. It’s on the fast-track to being one of my favorites from this album.
Kdrama Jen: Mikrokosmos grows on me each time I listen. I liked it from the beginning, but as I have listened over and over I felt like I heard something new each time. I think it will be the song that will bring a new perspective each time I play it.
Kmuse: This is the song I am going to be blasting in my car with my window’s rolled down. It is perfect for some summer
Clkytta: Anyone else
Drama Geek: I think this is my favorite of the “slower” songs. I love all of the their vocals in this.
Karie the Maknae: Love it already!! I need to go find the lyrics, which will probably strengthen my love for it.
Make It Right
MiataMama: I was very excited to see that they have a collaborative song with Ed Sheeran on this album! His songs always stick with me long after the music ends. And you can definitely hear his influence in the soulful rhythm and earnestly sung lyrics of Make It Right.
Kdrama Jen: The Ed Sheeran collaboration did not catch my attention until the third listen, and now I can’t get enough of it!
Kmuse: First time through this was my least favorite. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t catch my interest like many of the other tracks.
Clkytta: Ok, first listen and I wasn’t really into it. Then I listened again and turned off all my distractions. I think this is one that you really need to listen to, not just gloss over because now I really like it.
Drama Geek: I really love this song. I think it’s Ed Sheeran’s rhythmic influence that gives it a nice relaxing feel sound.
Karie the Maknae: Make It Right is going to take a few listens. I didn’t love the electronic horn hook at first, but I love how soulful V’s voice works with the melody.
Home
MiataMama: Home. I really wanted to like this one. I like the message – that home is where their fans are. . . But the music itself just isn’t my vibe. Maybe I just need to keep listening and it will grow on me?
Kdrama Jen: Home is another that intrigues me. I love that Suga gets to just embrace his Suga-ness!
Kmuse: I’m with MiataMama on this one. I might have to listen to it more to really enjoy it. It’s just OK and might be tied with Make it Right when it comes to my least favorite of the album.
Clkytta: I think the rap line is killing it in this one. I think it really showcases that home is important to all of us.
Drama Geek: HOLD UP! This is my third favorite on the album. I’m sure we’d all like to think the fans make their house feel like home, but I’d argue that it’s when they’re allowed to go home and see the people they care about, then they finally feel at home. I’m also digging the vibe. I promise you the dance routine will be fun for this one.
Karie the Maknae: Home just doesn’t speak to me. I know why the song was written, but for whatever reason, I’m not connecting with it.
Jamais Vu
MiataMama: Okay, THIS is my favorite song this whole album. I usually find myself gravitating to the ballads. Ephiphany? Truth Untold? …anyone?? Jamais Vu is no exception. I’ve officially been swept off my feet once again. Performed by J-hope, Jungkook, and Jin, it’s pure perfection. The vocals are haunting, while the melody matches the beat of my heart. I can’t stop listening!
Kdrama Jen: Favorite song on first listen. I love Jhope’s deep voice in contrast with Jin and JK’s sweet and soaring melody. It was absolutely soul stirring. I listened to it over and over and I love it even more!
Kmuse: This is the song that catches my attention the most since it has a different vibe than the rest of the album. I love sweeping vocals and I think this would be a great addition to their upcoming concert!
Clkytta: I think this one is my favorite. I really enjoyed this one and I could pick Jin’s voice out very easily.
Drama Geek: My distaste for most ballads is showing here. This is my least favorite, even after a few listens. Not sure what it is because, I love Truth Untold and Epiphany. Maybe my bias list is also rearing it’s ugly head. Who knows. But least favorite doesn’t mean that I don’t like it. It’s still BTS. 🙂
Karie the Maknae: This is going to be the ballad to love. Ballads rarely catch my attention, but I can hear my favorite thing in Jamais Vu: soaring vocals!
Dionysus
MiataMama: The album wraps up with Dionysus. This song feels like a throw back to their earlier albums – like they’re coming to the party and ready for a fight. I think I may need to see this one ‘live’ before I fully enjoy it. I admittedly wasn’t a fan of Mic Drop or Bapsae until I watched them perform those particular songs on stage.
Kdrama Jen: I love Dionysus because I can just picture them performing it and now I can’t WAIT for the concert!
Kmuse: I really hope they make this into an MV or a performance video. The heavy beats make this song very strong and memorable and it reminds me the most of their earliest music style.
Clkytta: I agree with my kbesties on this one. I want a music video of this one!
Drama Geek: There would have been a throw down if the rest of the Fangirls didn’t like this one (I’ll let MiataMama have a pass this time). I streamed the album on my way to work before I was able to watch the MV. So this one shot to the top of my list the moment it started. SO MUCH FUN in the car. I promise you, this will be my summer bop. I also concur that we need an MV, but I’m not sure we’ll get one. I think they’re planning on releasing a Music Shop one. At least some of the teasers made it seem like it.
Karie the Maknae: DIONYSUS!! YES!! Here is my jam. This is the BTS sound I adore.
What do you think Army? Are you in love with this new album? Share your favorites in the comments below!
Until the next mic drop,
The Fangirls
Dramas With a Side of Kimchi
Ballads are generally not my thing so it’s taking me a while to warm up to the generally lighter feel on this release. I think a long drive with the album on repeat may help.