Discover which BTS tracks were considered the best among the more than 20 albums released by the group in more than 11 years of career
With over 20 albums released in their 11-year career, BTS is full of hits! From the most nostalgic, such as “Boy In Luv”, “Dope” and “I Need U”, to the most recent, such as “DNA”, “FAKE LOVE” and “ON”, the group made history by placing several tracks in prominent positions on the world music charts, leading Billboard to compile a list of the group’s best tracks according to critics.
The magazine’s portal released the 60 best songs featuring the voices of RM, Jin, Sucks, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook since they debuted on June 13, 2013 with the mini-album “2 Cool 4 Skool”, and the title song (working song) “No More Dream”, by BIGHIT Music. With that in mind, RECREIO gathered the details of those who occupy the top 5 of the ranking; check it out!
5. “Save Me”
A track from the album “The Most Beautiful Moment In Life: Young Forever”, released in 2016, “Save Me”, features a lyrical self in suffering, begging for love in moments of difficulty before the pain takes over completely.
There’s an overwhelming sense of despair and anxiety permeating this expressive Young Forever track, but its incongruent nature stops it from becoming awash in outright melancholy,” says critic TH. “It’s powerfully subtle and one of the group’s most ambitious productions to date,” he concludes.
4. “Run”
Included on the tracklist of “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2”, from 2015, “Run”, addresses the feelings of a passion, showing the lyrical self in a constant pursuit of love, even if obstacles arise along the way.
There’s the sense of desperation, best heard in the tense strain of Jimin’s voice as he sings, ‘Pitiful fate/ Point your finger at me.’ There’s the feverish energy of the titular verb, which repeats throughout the track’s propulsive, urgent chorus. There’s the pain that blankets the song, summed up in the words ‘cry,’ ‘bye,’ and ‘lie.’ Beneath the song’s undeniably catchy exterior is an embrace of the painful silliness of love,” MM defines in part of the review of the track.
3. “Black Swan”
From “Map of the Soul: 7” (2020), “Black Swan”, as well as the film of the same name and the play ‘Swan Lake’, addresses fears and insecurities. In the case of BTS, how these feelings arise in the life of an artist and make them question who they really are, in addition to the fear of losing their connection with art.
‘Map of the Soul: 7’ was released as BTS was approaching its seventh anniversary, which is typically the standard length of initial contracts for K-pop groups before deciding to renew or disband, and ‘Black Swan’ gave insight into the group’s mindset and the overall relationship the musicians have with their art. Mixing a modern emo hip-hop sound with South Korea’s traditional string instrument the gayageum gave the song an even more personal feel,” JB says in an excerpt from the review reported by Billboard.
2. “I Need U”
Addressing emotional dependence in relationships, “I Need U” from “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1” (2015) addresses the conflicting feelings of feeling the need to let go of a loved one and feeling the need to keep them close.
This song was the beginning of a sonic metamorphosis that achieved a rare trick in the music industry: BTS didn’t have to trade their artistic integrity for an increase in accessibility. Instead, ‘I Need U’ was their most ambitious return at this point in their career, fusing world-building art direction, stunning contemporary dance, and an emotionally charged dance track. The synths roll like a music box while walls of hi-hats flank the choruses. Meanwhile, their softer brand of R&B provides a more robust backdrop for the over-the-top lyrics about a breakup,” CK said.
1. “Blood Sweat & Tears” (Wings, 2016)
“Blood Sweat & Tears”, from “Wings”, was released in 2016 and in its lyrics it addresses the sacrifices that the lyrical self is willing to make to give in to a passion.
The track utilizes current musical trends like tropical moombahton, fast trap, and breathy vocal approaches, but never feels like it loses a touch of who BTS are as an artist. The raps, vocal deliveries, and visuals feel specific and important to their evolving story, while also being fully accessible to audiences around the world. Being able to take what’s happening in the world at large and reshape it into who you are is one of the most impressive and important markers for an artist. BTS does just that with ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ and continues to push their artistry deeper into the global music scene,” JB defined.
Source: Recreio
