An artist’s music can hold different meanings to different people. When you can resonate exactly with what the artist intends to convey in a song, you begin to feel an even stronger connection to the artist and their art. This is something I find myself doing more and more every day with BTS.
On Friday, the septet dropped their new album Map Of The Soul: 7. Before it even came out, I knew I was going to have SO much to say about this. BTS create music that speaks about things that today’s youth ~like me~ can relate to, beyond just the topics of romantic relationships. Way beyond that. I sensed that this album was going to be an enriching experience, and I needed time to get all my thoughts and feelings down. This band is a part of me, and always will be from here on out.
I don’t even want to call this an album “review”. I personally hate using the word “review” to describe certain bodies of writing I put out, because way too often I find myself not being able to fully immerse myself in the message… or maybe I feel like keyboard smashing. I prefer using the words “recollections” or if I really feel like being bare bones, “write up”. This however, is neither of the three.
This is a love letter. This album gets extremely personal for me, and being able to describe what these tracks mean to me on my own site is one of the most freeing experiences possible. And while I’m sure no one from BigHit or Columbia Records will stumble upon this post, the main thing I want to express is gratitude. BTS have mentioned the importance of speaking yourself, and this album allowed me to do just that.
“Interlude: Shadow”
Here was our first taste of Map of the Soul: 7. This track is performed solely by Suga, and addresses the dark side of fame, success, and just trying to chase your dreams.
Link to Genius lyric translations
So I’ll start off by saying that upon first listen (back when the comeback trailer dropped), I was just enjoying the banger that this song is. The tempo changes make this track so exciting – one second you’re vibing out, and then the next you feel like starting a one person mosh pit (or forcing others to be a part of one, if you’re near other people). I also found some surface level truth in the lyrics. Being in the spotlight is not easy. Everyone craves that at one point – who wouldn’t want to be rich and famous and worry free? But fame is not a ticket to being happy 24/7, and problems don’t just disappear because you’ve reached the position you’ve dreamed of being in.
Then I started to think about the things that I once wanted so badly for myself and (might) still want. Now that I’m living in that reality, I can look at my life and safely say… oh no sweetie, the shadows do NOT disappear. They might not seem as big at times, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.
Sometimes it feels like the deeper you go into the rabbit hole that can be your own pursuit of happiness, the shadows will grow bigger and bigger. Your fears will become more visible than ever. Sometimes you really will find yourself asking “why am I doing this?”, and maybe even wishing that you could turn back time because things seemed easier. You’re not ungrateful for the good things that your journey has brought you. I feel like society tells us way too often that if you’re not happy, you’re ungrateful and you should choke. But that shadow is there and is always going to be there, and we’re all either feeling or going to feel the impact of it at some point. Some will feel it more than others.
But at the end of the day, it’s something most of us will just keep a…
“Black Swan”
“Black Swan” was the first single from the album, and was released on January 17. This song takes on the fear of losing your passion, and the pain associated with that feeling. In BTS’ case, it’s music and dancing.
Link to Genius lyric translations
Here’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about since the moment I first heard “Black Swan”. I’ve tried to bring this up on countless occasions. I never found the complete strength to let it all out due to fear of retaliation. I’ve never seen an actual pitchfork in person ever, and it’s not a goal of mine to see one. I can live without that, you know?
When I was a wee little kid, I used to dance. My family and so many other people who watched me grow up thought that if I stuck with it, I could do something with that long-term. My dance teacher decided to retire, and my parents never found a new studio for me. Fast forward a few years… to like when I was 7. Creative writing seemed like my strong point. It was something I took pride in and thought I was very good at. I felt that in my heart, and many others around me did too. So it only makes sense that I’m here now blogging, you get me?
I’ve always been somewhat of a control freak – which might sound extremely ironic, given where this story is heading. I’ve had friends offer to help me out on this site, but I just felt like it would be awkward if there was someone who wasn’t me writing on a site that’s supposed to be LITERALLY about me, with my name on it. I haven’t reached Perez Hilton or Just Jared status yet. I feel like if people were to come in and ghostwrite, it would be extremely obvious and I’d be judged sooooo heavily by my friends. So I’m just the lone cowgirl here. I do all the writing, all the photos, all the website upkeep, all my graphics, the press requests, the emails, everything by myself. It becomes like a drug, no matter how hard you try to stay away from it for even a few hours, I keep finding myself coming back to it because there’s always work to be done. That’s the best way for me to describe this.
This site truly is my baby. I took so much pride in building it up. Lord knows I could have done so many things differently, but you live and you learn. I’ve definitely had people turn their nose up at me for all different kinds of (stupid, irrelevant) reasons. Sometimes I really do wish that I had a team backing me up. Maybe I’d be able to crank out way more content and please more people. But then I stop and think, would that really make the situation easier? I also can’t help but think of all the things I accomplished on my own and be proud.
I guess once I got over my fears of doing certain things, I tried going as fast as I could and I just couldn’t stop. Like I said earlier, this stuff is like a drug.
In December, some things just started feeling very off. After Jingle Ball, I lost my motivation to do so many things because my post-concert depression was wrecking me. Many of you may know that feeling, and that feeling is so valid. I tried to pick myself up so many times the day after to write and fulfill commitments, but that wasn’t happening. My mind wasn’t having it, I missed BTS and Lizzo and Sam Smith WAY too much. Two days after, I got to photograph one of my favorite singers (take a guess!) and that provided for a much needed temporary distraction from my sadness. But once that was over with, I just felt even more sad. I loved writing, but it was just so hard for me to do it during that time… which ended up tearing me apart even more! I literally didn’t have the drive to organize my thoughts well enough to post about my experience until Christmas Eve.
So then came January, and I felt like I was ready to slowly get back into the swing of things. I still found it pretty hard to write, but I also started feeling an unrealistic amount of pressure just coming at me like a train. I felt the need to write about things that I didn’t necessarily want to post on here for whatever reason. Maybe I didn’t like the fact the song had explicit lyrics. Maybe I didn’t think the artist’s aesthetic or the message or style of the song was a good fit, and I wouldn’t be the only one to notice it. Maybe I just wasn’t feeling it. It seemed like, at one point, every day it got worse and worse. I was becoming even more unhappy. I would wake up at 5AM and every day I’d be more and more turned off from wanting to continue to pursue my passion. I was becoming so exhausted and traumatized to even open my computer or look at my phone.
I can’t really find the words to describe how painful it was to realize that my main source of happiness wasn’t it anymore. I made so many amazing friendships thanks to writing and photographing shows. I’ve gotten to work with some of the sweetest, selfless people who are very in tune with my tastes, and helped propel me into greatness. This site wouldn’t be thicccc if it weren’t for them. I’ve been introduced to the most badass artists on the planet who I will never stop supporting. If I needed to take a break from it all, whether it be for a few days or a few weeks, I know they’d understand. But at the same time… I felt and still do feel the need to keep going and caving into pressure because of the “what if” factor. What happens if I don’t do this? I am being asked to do something right now that I don’t feel comfortable doing at all, what happens if I don’t? What happens if I genuinely piss someone off because I decide to start moving at a much slower pace because of my own mental health? What if I can’t get into x person’s show to do photo because I just didn’t feel like covering y person’s new song? What if I lose out on so many great opportunities that I can’t promise myself will ever come back around? And I can go on.
When “Black Swan” came out, it felt like someone was amplifying all of my feelings and I mean ALL of them. I no longer felt as voiceless, because I realized there’s plenty of other creatives who have either had their passions completely slip away from them, or fear that one day that’ll happen. I remembered that there was a time when BTS themselves felt like disbanding. I remembered watching that episode of Bon Voyage when the guys were camping and Namjoon went into the camper to write, and he was crying due to the pressure he felt. Although our mediums of art are different, I realized that at one point, perhaps even as trainees, they must have felt so many of the same emotions that I was feeling on January 17.
I’m not alone. It’s so hard to remember that. But I’m never alone when I have BTS.
“Filter”
“Filter” is a song performed by Jimin, and shows off different sides of him to ARMYs.
Link to Genius lyric translations
His exact words about the track were, “I came up with this song ‘Filter’. Filters can be the thing within a camera application or social media, but can also mean people’s perspective or prejudice. I took these various meanings and expressed it into the song of how I want to present myself to the world in many different ways. I think I’ll be able to show a new side of me that’s very different from my previous tracks, ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Lie’.”
“Filter” has this gorgeous Latin feel to it, which fits with the slightly seductive nature of the song. It really had me screaming “OH MAN, HE DID THAT!!!” I clapped in my room as no one watched, and one can only imagine how this song will be brought to life on the tour. It’s a song that I can’t help but keep going back to!
“My Time”
“My Time” is my favorite vocal track on this album. The production is amazing, and the R&B beat just takes you away. But the song’s lyrics are also quite bittersweet.
Link to Genius lyric translations
Jungkook shares his most innermost feelings on “My Time”, and sings of his journey from being a trainee to now. There’s no denying that growing up in the spotlight caused BTS’ youngest member to have to grow up quickly. He debuted when he was only 15. Over the years, there must have been plenty of experiences he wished he was able to have as part of growing up. He was and still is on his own path. Towards the end of “My Time” he seems to accept all that has (and hasn’t) happened, and realizes that now he has six brothers and ARMY to make new memories with!
Honestly, I think this is Jungkook’s best solo yet.
“Louder Than Bombs”
“Louder Than Bombs” has such a dramatic feel to it, but just like “My Time”, the lyrics will play with your heart! It was also notably co-written by Troye Sivan.
Link to Genius lyric translations
This one is honestly a little harder to peel apart, but to me “Louder Than Bombs” sounds like BTS promising everyone that their music will always be here to help guide us through our battles.
“ON”
LEEEEEAAAAAADDDDDD SINGLEEEEEEE!
“ON” is a very exciting track where BTS touch on how crazy their journey has been. Although their shadows of the past still follow them, they continue to fight for the future. They have sacrificed so much and will keep doing so. They are ready to face whatever life may throw at them, even if it’s a little scary.
Link to Genius lyric translations
This is such a liberating track. It serves as a reminder that life will bring you highs, and it will also bring you lows… but you must keep fighting!
The Kinetic Manifesto Film (the first official music video for “ON”) was quite epic. It was filmed at the Sepulveda Dam in LA, and featured THE LAB dancers and members of the Blue Devils marching band. The classic boy band vibes are heavy, and the choreography is breathtaking.
There’s also a version of “ON” featuring Sia, which isn’t featured on the physical copy of the album. It seems like Sia kinda just let the guys do their thing, as she isn’t too involved vocally on the remix. I do prefer the original version, but I love the fact that my faves worked together like that!
“UGH!”
Remember how Namjoon kept emphasizing at the GRAMMYs how “hard” the album was going to be?
“UGH!” should be the example in the dictionary under the word HARD. The transition from the cheery mental pep rally that was “ON” to “UGH!” leaves somewhat of a sense of whiplash… I mean, did YOU see that coming? Did ANYONE see that coming? Because I didn’t!
Link to Genius lyric translations
RM, J-Hope, and Suga unleash their feelings towards those who choose to spew negativity about them in “UGH!”. They criticize a society where people seem totally fine with hiding behind a mask of anonymity to torment others.
This track is so explosive, a huge shift compared to what we’ve heard on the album so far. I wish I could re-live the moment I first heard it over and over and over again, because man… it was such a fulfilling experience. “UGH!” is a wonderfully crafted middle finger to the haters, and the rapline really shows off their abilities on this one. The production also had me floored. The gunshots are brilliant, and I’m so looking forward to hearing this song live and unleashing all the anger built up inside of (me)! When someone crosses me and I feel like punching them (but I can’t), listening to this song will get the job done for me.
Do you ever just look at the most precious picture of J-Hope and then realize oh man, he REALLY went there with his verse. This is who did that. He did that. Yes he did.
Make sure you mark my words right now. Get a pen and paper and do it. Document this. I will be throwing my body ALL over the place when I hear this live. I will be raging like white boys when they go to Rolling Loud. My phone and army bomb are gonna have to stay on my chair because they’d turn into projectiles if I were holding them during “UGH!” and that’s the truth. I’m gonna be too lit. If anyone who’s reading this is sitting in section 24 for day 2 of Levi’s Stadium and wants to join me in a mosh pit, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. PLEASE. Security ain’t gonna be having it but I will. If anyone wants to recreate that video of the guys dancing and one of them carrying a big speaker on their head, let’s do it. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to lift that thing up, but I’ll find someone who can and will.
“UGH!” is my absolute favorite song on MOTS:7. It’s the diamond of this whole album.
“00:00 (Zero O’ Clock)”
I just knew that there was going to be a song on this album that was going to provide for an even bigger emotional cleanse than “Black Swan” – and that song is “00:00 (Zero O’ Clock)”.
Link to Genius lyric translations
I’m at a point in my life where things just feel like… dang well what’s the point. Going back to what I said earlier about “Black Swan”, deep down I feel so unhappy. I can’t help but feel like a complete failure. I invested ALL of my time and energy into something that doesn’t bring me joy like it used to. I’m so embarrassed to admit the amount of things I put off or just didn’t do at all so I could build up this site. If others knew, they’d be so disappointed in me. I guess I can’t control other people’s actions, what they say about me, or what they say to me. But I can’t help but feel like I brought everything upon myself. I feel like this is karma for being so outspoken when I was younger and always expecting everyone to be my friend and like me. I don’t even like myself anymore, and life just seems to be passing by me now. Am I even going to have any friends by the end of this post? I can sense that so many of them are done with hearing about my problems, even if they deny it. Do I even stand a chance in the real world? Do I matter at all? Did I ever matter? I just can’t help but really wonder that right now.
I’m living life day to day. It’s so hard. But I can’t help but wonder sometimes, what if tomorrow is a better day? It might not seem like it at all and sometimes there’s 0 signs of it at all but… what if? Just, what if?
“00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” was written for people like me. It’s a reminder from BTS that even if you’re having a bad day, the day will end. The hours will reset, and everything will be new at midnight.
Even if tomorrow, I wake up to someone telling me something that makes me feel completely devalued as a human, I’ve made it through countless other times when someone did that. I’ve made it through 100% of my bad days. Each day is an opportunity for things to get better.
I don’t know when was the last time ANYONE told me “and you’re gonna be happy.” This song feels like it was crafted just for me. It’s so difficult to listen to but I’ve been reminding myself it’s okay to cry because a song is telling you things that the people who are the closest to you aren’t. Yesterday I started feeling my body getting extremely weak, and my immune system going down a little. Today it was so hard for me to get up out of bed and go to work. I struggled to eat. My back feels like it’s going to give out any moment now. But tomorrow things can change, and this song is giving me hope that they will.
“Inner Child”
Is there something reinforcing you wish you could tell your younger self, or want to be able to tell your current self a few years down the road? V opens up about himself in “Inner Child”, and talks about how his past, younger self longed for better days. Those days are here now.
Link to Genius lyric translations
To me, “Inner Child” is another song that delivers hope. I’ve always had trouble struggling with guilt. Even if I get upset over some of the things I’ve done in the past, my story isn’t going to have a sad ending, and neither will yours.
“Friends”
“Friends” is a pretty cute song. This track is just V and Jimin, and the two sing of their friendship over the years and how they promise to maintain it forever.
Ahh, I’m sure Vmin shippers ran out of their corners when they heard this one!
“Moon”
“Moon” is Jin’s solo track expressing his love to ARMYs.
Just like “Friends”, this one is super cute. Jin is supposed to be the moon, and ARMYs are supposed to be the Earth. It’s written in the perspective of how the moon looks at the Earth.
“Respect”
Should I go or should I? Should I go or should I stay?
Link to Genius lyric translations
“Respect” takes one big giant nod to the rapline’s older tracks. There’s a lot of words that seem to get thrown around way too much in the English language, and respect is one of them. What is the true meaning of respect?
This is a song that really makes you think. English is an interesting language, and “Respect” explores the literal meaning of the word. It also ponders upon the thought of how many people just throw words out into the universe, and they don’t really hold the meanings they should.
Like I said, it’s very… thought provoking.
“We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal”
Link to Genius lyric translations
“We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” shines a little light on some of the hardships BTS faced during their career, ever since their debut. Things weren’t always easy, but they always had one another to rely on. Now they are stronger than ever before, and have millions worldwide who they can lean on as well.
Once again, this song is about us, ARMYs. I can honestly say that it seems like there’s not too many artists out in the mainstream who are open to being as transparent about their come up as BTS have been. Of course, no one is obligated to do such a thing, but being reminded of where BTS came from and having them remind us that we’re as much of a part of their process as their process is to ours feels so reassuring for some reason.
I adore the production on this song, and the fact that one of my favorite DJs/producers Audien had a hand in making this track!
“Outro: Ego”
And now for the fun, bright, grand finale that is “Outro: Ego”!
Link to Genius lyric translations
“Outro: Ego” is J-Hope’s song where he looks back on his personal journey, and how he is now comfortable with himself because he learned to trust himself, or his ego.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word ego? I feel like a lot of people have laced a negative meaning to the word, but ego means “I” in Latin. In the song, J-Hope mentions multiple times that he trusted himself, and now he’s happy with the way things are.
Determination is important, but maybe trusting and believing in yourself are even more important.
Map Of The Soul: 7 does just that for me. Life can be terrifying. We all have hopes and dreams. We all have expectations for ourselves, and other people set expectations for us. Navigating my way not just through this industry but the whole world is scary. But when I listen to BTS, I just can’t help but be happy and remember that there’s someone advocating for me, unconditionally. The more and more I listen to Map Of The Soul: 7, the more I hope to learn about myself. My weaknesses are extremely obvious, but maybe I shouldn’t be ashamed of them. Maybe I shouldn’t be scared to really, 100% put myself first anymore. Even if I let others down, even if everyone just completely decides to disown me someday (not that I’m trying to make that a goal or anything), my one true love, music, will never betray me.
That’s especially true about BTS. They never let their dream die, and this album is proof of that. I won’t let mine die either.
