This was my first comeback as a fan of theirs, and I loved this album. It’s usually quite hard for me to add songs to my playlists, but this album had five songs that I immediately added: Body to Body, Please, Like Animals, Into the Sun, and SWIM were phenomenal. Body to Body might legitimately be my favorite song of theirs, or at least up there with Fake Love, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Pied Piper. The “Arirang” chant towards the end was phenomenal, and reminded me a lot of traditional sufi chants from India that usually make me emotional.
Aspire17 on
I fuck with it. I feel like there is a nice portion of “Right Place, Wrong Person” in it, which I appreciate.
I can also imagine how others might be disappointed because this isn’t what they were hoping for. I dunno – haven’t read many threads yet ^^
[deleted] on
[removed]
boringestlawyer on
Every time bts release music I get to go “oh THATS why im so obsessed with them” lol. In case I ever forget or get caught up in life- at the end of the day it’s their music that draws me to stan them fully.
They just hit every single beat just right for me. One of the only artists where I can preorder their music with absolute confidence they’ll deliver.
Chinguz143 on
BTS Yaaaaaaay I cannot wait to watch ARIRANG on Netflix
hukep on
If this is a 4.5/5, then does that mean IVE’s last album is a 20/5 ? Sorry, but that’s a ridiculous score. I can name plenty of groups that released better albums just last year.
aleisate843 on
I’m surprised but not surprised at the rating. This album is not really getting a really positive reception at first listen online but I don’t think publications are willing to make their fanbase upset.
Background_Wheel_932 on
Has to be a typo
GlowStickEmpire on
I know it’s been divisive in some fan spaces, but I think this album is going to easily be their best reviewed in terms of Western critics. The NPR review in particular feels pretty glowing. Will that actually translate to anything in terms of awards, success, etc.? No idea. But it’s interesting.
sugavirus on
I love this album something fierce. It was so worth the wait. I think I listened to it all the way through five times before I finally went to bed last night. I’ve said elsewhere it’s their most experimental album yet, and I stand firmly behind that. Every listen feels like a new experience where something different catches my ear or falls into place for me. I’m damn proud of them.
Anni3401 on
Just had a look, they gave Blackpink’s Deadline 4 stars – the same as Harry’s newest release. Yeah, not sure I’m in the same boat as those critics.
Strong_Welcome5914 on
I find the reception between K-pop stans, critics and non stans quite interesting. K-pop stans seem to think it’s bland but non stans and critics seem to like this album a bit. There’s a very clear divide and I personally do like this new sound.
A lot of the tracks are an elevated version of their rookie era stuff and a clear evolution of their past works that also reflects their individual solo stuff
Balanced_game on
This is a good album but this review just shows these critics reviews should be taken with a grain of salt cause in an album where even hardcore fans are split on some of the tracks then how is it a 4.5. Anyhow that’s just their opinion but happy for BTS!!
mcfapblanc on
Better to remove K from Kpop if this is getting a 4.5
Competitive-Top42 on
Ngl it’s 3/5 at best. TT is very weak and generic.
Rolling Stones just afraid of the clap backs
This-Goat-5105 on
Too much of RM’s hand on this album for me. I don’t think he realizes that he can’t compare to his American (and British) counterparts, and that his distinct style on Dark & Wild is what really set him apart. Arirang is not experimental by western standards. And it doesn’t have the originality that Kpop tended to have.
codeverity on
I really love this album. I’ve been reading through a lot of the responses and tbh I’ve been very curious about the proportion of armys who listened to and/or enjoyed their solo works and the ones who enjoy Arirang. I’m an enlistment era army and I feel so much influence of their solo era in this album and in a good way! I feel Namjoon and Yoongi the most on this album, but I also feel the touch of all of the members in terms of the blend of vocals and styles etc.
I feel like there’s a lot of maturity in this album, too – it takes their roots, their vocals, what they learned and explored in their solo works and kind of blends it all together. And I feel like they’re experimenting with new song and refusing to be boxed into any one label tbh.
Edit: Kinda laughing at this comment section tbh.
SnooSquirrels8883 on
You can 100% tell this entire album was the love child of RM. I am sooo happy they’re back, I have loved BTS since 2015. They were my introduction to Kpop! This album has some bangers (personal favs 2.0 and Hooligan!) But all in all, I was quite underwhelmed with the album as a whole. Nothing will ever top The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, my first true comeback with the boys 🤍
kulikitaka on
Meh, I didn’t vibe with the first half of the album. In fact most of the album tracks didn’t me want to replay them.
Glittering_Farmer472 on
I love how this is 2 Cool 4 Skool but more mature. This is the most hip hop/rap-based album they have done in years. This is what OG fans have been asking, and they delivered, also collaborating with so many African American artists, just confirm this, as Jpegmafia, Teezo Touchdown, and Mike Will made it.
stuckindewdrop on
I love SWIM, I don’t understand the hate for it… I’ve had Swim and Aliens on repeat… I’ve yet to really dive into the rest deeply yet, don’t think I’ll enjoy the entire album, but that’s okay. It’s got some tracks I love.
Legitimate-Self5341 on
I’m just gonna wait for this album to get its flowers by the majority when they release another album. I vividly remember black swan getting mass hated on and ripped apart for a lot along with albums like tear and whatnot, which are now considered some of their best work. 🤷🏽♀️
Edit: Im already seeing some people on socmed wishing they would bring back dynamite LMAOOOO what did I say this always happens omg
Background_Wheel_932 on
I miss the days of Idol and Not Today 😢
o-Themis-o on
I’ve honestly been listening to it pretty much all day. Not even for streaming purposes, but just because I genuinely like it that much. It’s a 10/10 album for me. They evolved musically and it’s very noticeable with Arirang. Feeling kinda proud of them 😄
dintaskdontcare on
what are u talking about there isnt a radio hit i can name 3. this will be like one of those chase atlantic ones that stays on charts forever.
BTS_lovemyself on
I don’t like this album at all.
Major_Wager75 on
This album is fire, shit sounds like dark and wild but mature
DGPandas on
I genuinely just haven’t been a fan of BTS’ more westernized sound with their last few releases and this album was a complete miss for me. It doesn’t feel unique or different because a lot of these sounds are very prevalent in western hip hop/rnb. The vocals are good but of course they are, it’s BTS. My major issues with this album easily come from the production and lyrics. When you have groups like XG, ATEEZ, Stray Kidz, P1Harmony, and more dancing with the hip hop/rnb genres the way they do I just don’t know how you can see any kind of inspiration or life in this album. I don’t hate the album by any means, but I have no desire to go back and listen more.
helprealmonsters on
I don’t typically comment on their music though my roommate and I listen to them (BTS and BP are in every single playlist I make somehow lol). But I figured I’d use this to hash out my feelings.
I understand some fans’ disappointment being that this was lowkey (kinda highkey) marketing as a return to their roots and the name made it sound like it centered around their Korean identity. And save for B2B it’s just not that. I think a better journey could have been it centered around their Korean identity as they are navigating international fame, and that would’ve been really interesting and still allowed for the sounds and experimentation we heard on the album. At the same time, I do see the vision they were going for and am excited for future releases as they continue to experiment, because I do NOT like hearing artists sing the same stuff for 10+ years (which is why I’m in the minority on reddit with liking BP’s GO).
All in all, I think I saved tracks 1, 8 – 11, and 13. I really liked the beat for track 2 though it feel like they needed a Dem Jointz to chop and screw it because Hooligan deserved a great drop. My roommate (who is 100% ARMY) liked tracks 1, 2, 4, 8 – 11 and 13. He actually walked out of the room while listening to track 14 it irritated him so much. This leads into my biggest issue with this album.
I keep seeing people say that the production was great, but it actually isn’t. This album is probably the worst produced album from them **ever.** And I’ll back this up every day no matter how much I’m downvoted. WHY IS EVERYTHING AUTOTUNED? Okay, I’ll calm down. But seriously, why was everyone autotuned/filtered/revered/echoed the entire album (it wasn’t as bad on SWIM, but SWIM wasn’t a super exciting song for me). The fact that they autotuned the rapline was especially egregious and I 100% believe they need to walk away from whoever did the final vocal editing. They don’t know ’bout us was FIRE, but like the rest of the album, it was like I was listening to the songs through a fog. Same thing with Merry Go Round and Like Animals Two of the highest rated songs on the album for me. They were kind of whimsical and sexy and dark, but there was like a fog over the vocals (for Like Animals, it was even over the beat) and nothing comes out clear.
After listening, my roommate and I relistened to Go Go, On, BS&T and Black Swan just to hear the production value and we both agreed that the clarity of the beats AND the vocals of those songs helps those songs be enjoyable to listen.
With that being said, I will not be cancelling my membership as a casual BTS listener (same as I won’t be cancelling BP). Neither with my roommate stop being ARMY. We have a few songs we enjoyed and we’re both looking to see if this album can be used by the guys as an avenue to continue growing their sound and we hope that they’ll stay away from any and all unnecessary filters moving forward.
Sexyhorsegirl666 on
I agree and i love it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of the dissapointed fans are way younger than me and expected something cheery and fun. I feel like this album shows their mature side.
31 Comments
[Paywall removed link](https://archive.ph/M5Vzx)
This was my first comeback as a fan of theirs, and I loved this album. It’s usually quite hard for me to add songs to my playlists, but this album had five songs that I immediately added: Body to Body, Please, Like Animals, Into the Sun, and SWIM were phenomenal. Body to Body might legitimately be my favorite song of theirs, or at least up there with Fake Love, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Pied Piper. The “Arirang” chant towards the end was phenomenal, and reminded me a lot of traditional sufi chants from India that usually make me emotional.
I fuck with it. I feel like there is a nice portion of “Right Place, Wrong Person” in it, which I appreciate.
I can also imagine how others might be disappointed because this isn’t what they were hoping for. I dunno – haven’t read many threads yet ^^
[removed]
Every time bts release music I get to go “oh THATS why im so obsessed with them” lol. In case I ever forget or get caught up in life- at the end of the day it’s their music that draws me to stan them fully.
They just hit every single beat just right for me. One of the only artists where I can preorder their music with absolute confidence they’ll deliver.
BTS Yaaaaaaay I cannot wait to watch ARIRANG on Netflix
If this is a 4.5/5, then does that mean IVE’s last album is a 20/5 ? Sorry, but that’s a ridiculous score. I can name plenty of groups that released better albums just last year.
I’m surprised but not surprised at the rating. This album is not really getting a really positive reception at first listen online but I don’t think publications are willing to make their fanbase upset.
Has to be a typo
I know it’s been divisive in some fan spaces, but I think this album is going to easily be their best reviewed in terms of Western critics. The NPR review in particular feels pretty glowing. Will that actually translate to anything in terms of awards, success, etc.? No idea. But it’s interesting.
I love this album something fierce. It was so worth the wait. I think I listened to it all the way through five times before I finally went to bed last night. I’ve said elsewhere it’s their most experimental album yet, and I stand firmly behind that. Every listen feels like a new experience where something different catches my ear or falls into place for me. I’m damn proud of them.
Just had a look, they gave Blackpink’s Deadline 4 stars – the same as Harry’s newest release. Yeah, not sure I’m in the same boat as those critics.
I find the reception between K-pop stans, critics and non stans quite interesting. K-pop stans seem to think it’s bland but non stans and critics seem to like this album a bit. There’s a very clear divide and I personally do like this new sound.
A lot of the tracks are an elevated version of their rookie era stuff and a clear evolution of their past works that also reflects their individual solo stuff
This is a good album but this review just shows these critics reviews should be taken with a grain of salt cause in an album where even hardcore fans are split on some of the tracks then how is it a 4.5. Anyhow that’s just their opinion but happy for BTS!!
Better to remove K from Kpop if this is getting a 4.5
Ngl it’s 3/5 at best. TT is very weak and generic.
Rolling Stones just afraid of the clap backs
Too much of RM’s hand on this album for me. I don’t think he realizes that he can’t compare to his American (and British) counterparts, and that his distinct style on Dark & Wild is what really set him apart. Arirang is not experimental by western standards. And it doesn’t have the originality that Kpop tended to have.
I really love this album. I’ve been reading through a lot of the responses and tbh I’ve been very curious about the proportion of armys who listened to and/or enjoyed their solo works and the ones who enjoy Arirang. I’m an enlistment era army and I feel so much influence of their solo era in this album and in a good way! I feel Namjoon and Yoongi the most on this album, but I also feel the touch of all of the members in terms of the blend of vocals and styles etc.
I feel like there’s a lot of maturity in this album, too – it takes their roots, their vocals, what they learned and explored in their solo works and kind of blends it all together. And I feel like they’re experimenting with new song and refusing to be boxed into any one label tbh.
Edit: Kinda laughing at this comment section tbh.
You can 100% tell this entire album was the love child of RM. I am sooo happy they’re back, I have loved BTS since 2015. They were my introduction to Kpop! This album has some bangers (personal favs 2.0 and Hooligan!) But all in all, I was quite underwhelmed with the album as a whole. Nothing will ever top The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, my first true comeback with the boys 🤍
Meh, I didn’t vibe with the first half of the album. In fact most of the album tracks didn’t me want to replay them.
I love how this is 2 Cool 4 Skool but more mature. This is the most hip hop/rap-based album they have done in years. This is what OG fans have been asking, and they delivered, also collaborating with so many African American artists, just confirm this, as Jpegmafia, Teezo Touchdown, and Mike Will made it.
I love SWIM, I don’t understand the hate for it… I’ve had Swim and Aliens on repeat… I’ve yet to really dive into the rest deeply yet, don’t think I’ll enjoy the entire album, but that’s okay. It’s got some tracks I love.
I’m just gonna wait for this album to get its flowers by the majority when they release another album. I vividly remember black swan getting mass hated on and ripped apart for a lot along with albums like tear and whatnot, which are now considered some of their best work. 🤷🏽♀️
Edit: Im already seeing some people on socmed wishing they would bring back dynamite LMAOOOO what did I say this always happens omg
I miss the days of Idol and Not Today 😢
I’ve honestly been listening to it pretty much all day. Not even for streaming purposes, but just because I genuinely like it that much. It’s a 10/10 album for me. They evolved musically and it’s very noticeable with Arirang. Feeling kinda proud of them 😄
what are u talking about there isnt a radio hit i can name 3. this will be like one of those chase atlantic ones that stays on charts forever.
I don’t like this album at all.
This album is fire, shit sounds like dark and wild but mature
I genuinely just haven’t been a fan of BTS’ more westernized sound with their last few releases and this album was a complete miss for me. It doesn’t feel unique or different because a lot of these sounds are very prevalent in western hip hop/rnb. The vocals are good but of course they are, it’s BTS. My major issues with this album easily come from the production and lyrics. When you have groups like XG, ATEEZ, Stray Kidz, P1Harmony, and more dancing with the hip hop/rnb genres the way they do I just don’t know how you can see any kind of inspiration or life in this album. I don’t hate the album by any means, but I have no desire to go back and listen more.
I don’t typically comment on their music though my roommate and I listen to them (BTS and BP are in every single playlist I make somehow lol). But I figured I’d use this to hash out my feelings.
I understand some fans’ disappointment being that this was lowkey (kinda highkey) marketing as a return to their roots and the name made it sound like it centered around their Korean identity. And save for B2B it’s just not that. I think a better journey could have been it centered around their Korean identity as they are navigating international fame, and that would’ve been really interesting and still allowed for the sounds and experimentation we heard on the album. At the same time, I do see the vision they were going for and am excited for future releases as they continue to experiment, because I do NOT like hearing artists sing the same stuff for 10+ years (which is why I’m in the minority on reddit with liking BP’s GO).
All in all, I think I saved tracks 1, 8 – 11, and 13. I really liked the beat for track 2 though it feel like they needed a Dem Jointz to chop and screw it because Hooligan deserved a great drop. My roommate (who is 100% ARMY) liked tracks 1, 2, 4, 8 – 11 and 13. He actually walked out of the room while listening to track 14 it irritated him so much. This leads into my biggest issue with this album.
I keep seeing people say that the production was great, but it actually isn’t. This album is probably the worst produced album from them **ever.** And I’ll back this up every day no matter how much I’m downvoted. WHY IS EVERYTHING AUTOTUNED? Okay, I’ll calm down. But seriously, why was everyone autotuned/filtered/revered/echoed the entire album (it wasn’t as bad on SWIM, but SWIM wasn’t a super exciting song for me). The fact that they autotuned the rapline was especially egregious and I 100% believe they need to walk away from whoever did the final vocal editing. They don’t know ’bout us was FIRE, but like the rest of the album, it was like I was listening to the songs through a fog. Same thing with Merry Go Round and Like Animals Two of the highest rated songs on the album for me. They were kind of whimsical and sexy and dark, but there was like a fog over the vocals (for Like Animals, it was even over the beat) and nothing comes out clear.
After listening, my roommate and I relistened to Go Go, On, BS&T and Black Swan just to hear the production value and we both agreed that the clarity of the beats AND the vocals of those songs helps those songs be enjoyable to listen.
With that being said, I will not be cancelling my membership as a casual BTS listener (same as I won’t be cancelling BP). Neither with my roommate stop being ARMY. We have a few songs we enjoyed and we’re both looking to see if this album can be used by the guys as an avenue to continue growing their sound and we hope that they’ll stay away from any and all unnecessary filters moving forward.
I agree and i love it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of the dissapointed fans are way younger than me and expected something cheery and fun. I feel like this album shows their mature side.