\u2018BTS Cypher Pt. 1\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-cypher-1.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: ilgan Sports\/Multi-Bits\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\u201cBTS Cypher Pt.1\u201d kicked off the septet\u2019s brutally honest, technically complex (and fan-favorite) Cypher series. For its opening chapter, RM, Suga, and J-Hope took aim at unjust judgments passed on their rapping abilities: \u201cMy attitude is my mentor\/Even if you talk smack about me, I\u2019m memento\/Show your hip-hop pride but you\u2019ll still feel impotent\/Hide your jealousy, I can see your IP address.\u201d Delivered in their respective distinctive flows, each member\u2019s performance solidified their mastery of the art form while familiarizing listeners with the rap line\u2019s unapologetic, fearless side. \u2014Riddhi Chakraborty<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Hip Hop Phile\u2019 (2014)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-rollingstone-2022\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-Hip-Hop-Phile.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: AP Photo\/Kin Cheung\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nReleased at a time when BTS\u2019 hip-hop concept was at its zenith, \u201cHip Hop Phile\u201d comes from a place of honor and admiration as the group raps about its respect for hip-hop culture. The track lays out the members\u2019 relationship with the genre and how it inspired their creative liberation, paying tribute to their influences, from South Korean trio Epik High to Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, CL Smooth, Eminem, and others. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Don\u2019t Leave Me\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-2018-dont-leave-me.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Anthony Kwan\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tThe emotive quality of the band members\u2019 voices is what gives \u201cDon\u2019t Leave Me\u201d its vastness \u2014 that and some truly fierce synth production. Despite its title, the song, from BTS\u2019 third Japanese full-length, <\/span>Face Yourself<\/span><\/i>,<\/em> isn\u2019t sung out of fear, but with faith that hardships can be overcome with trust and partnership. \u201cNo matter what, rain falls\/No matter what, darkness erases\/I\u2019ll definitely save you, you are not alone,\u201d Jin, Jimin, and Jung Kook sing.\u2014 Natalie Morin<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Fly to My Room\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-fly-to-my-room.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Big Hit Entertainment\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nDuring the height of quarantine, bedrooms were our sweaty dance floors. BTS captured the emotional transport music gave the world in \u201cFly to My Room,\u201d from 2020\u2019s BE.<\/em> \u201cThis room is all I have\/Well, then I\u2019ll just change this place to my world,\u201d Jimin and V sing on the sub-unit track, later joined by Suga and J-Hope\u2019s melodic rapping. The laid-back keyboard groove is tentative at first, but crescendos into a final chorus fit for a church choir \u2014 perhaps looking for something to believe in. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Permission to Dance\u2019 (2021)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-permission-to-dance.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nBTS can criticize, empathize, and lament. But ultimately, they\u2019re uplifting, providing comfort even in times of pitch dark. Feel-good summer bop \u201cPermission to Dance,\u201d co-written by Ed Sheeran, is above all a message of hope \u2014 that the light of passion can never be extinguished, and the world is full of beauty. That ethos is even woven into the song\u2019s expressive choreography, as it uses international sign language for \u201cdance,\u201d \u201cfun,\u201d and \u201cpeace,\u201d and is deliberately simple enough (by BTS standards, at least) for anyone to join in \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Stay Gold\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-stay-gold.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nThere\u2019s something about BTS\u2019 Japanese releases that leaves you swaying in a sweet-trancelike state. Perhaps it\u2019s the warm, dulcet sound or bittersweet themes of love and heartache. Either way, BTS\u2019 Japanese offerings continue to be some of the most anticipated (and loved) releases. Serving as the first of two official singles before the release of their album <\/span>Map of the Soul 7: The Journey<\/span><\/i>, \u201cStay Gold\u201d brings sanguinity, warmth, and romance wrapped in an upbeat pop arrangement. Released at a time of uncertainty, the single presented itself as a ray of hope, melting away icicles of distress we all felt during the global pandemic. \u2014<\/span>D.D.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Crystal Snow\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-crystal-snow.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty Images for The Recording A\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nThe melody floats in with a soft flourish, and much like its predecessor \u201cSpring Day,\u201d \u201cCrystal Snow\u201d illustrates the ephemeral nature of love using the vibrant image of the seasons. \u201cEven though you pass through me and turn to water, you are still in my heart,\u201d RM raps. \u201cI watch you shining and reflecting on every single sparkling thing.\u201d The Japanese single ebbs and bursts open with the grace and verve of a musical number as the vocalists plead: \u201cI want to hold you one more time before you disappear.\u201d \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Trivia \u627f: Love\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-trivia-love.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: JTBC PLUS\/Imazins\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tOn his bright solo track for BTS\u2019 2018 LP <\/span>Love Yourself: Answer<\/span><\/i>, RM plays with the Korean language to express gratefulness for the love he\u2019s received from the group\u2019s fans. He rhymes and interchanges saram<\/em> (\u201cperson\u201d) and sarang<\/em> (\u201clove\u201d) to convey the transformation he\u2019s undergone as an individual thanks to BTS\u2019 Army. He also includes a nod to Rene Descartes\u2019 famous line \u201cI think, therefore I am\u201d as he happily declares, \u201cI live, so I love.\u201d \u201cTrivia: Love\u201d is packed full of onomatopoeia, symbolism, and Easter eggs \u2014 too many to list here \u2014 that only the Army can unearth. It\u2019s a fitting gift from BTS\u2019 intellectual leader.\u2014Riddhi Chakraborty<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Your Eyes Tell\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-your-eyes-tell.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Getty Images for SiriusXM\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nOriginally set aside to be featured on Jung Kook\u2019s mixtape, BTS\u2019 Japanese single \u201cYour Eyes Tell\u201d is a compelling testament to the vocalist\u2019s songwriting capabilities that brings out a unique perspective on romance, heartaches, and everything in between. Brimming with mellow vocal performances gently nestled between a balladic, soul-stirring melody, \u201cYour Eyes Tell\u2019 has a beauty that lies in its ardent confessions of endearment and hope. \u2014<\/span>D.D.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018I\u2019m Fine\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-2018-im-fine.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Visual China Group via Getty Images\/Visual China Group via Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nIt begins with the familiar electro-pop synths of the \u201cSave Me\u201d chorus, but this time sounding much more hollow. The sample distorts and ends before a breathy V rolls in. Just as the words \u201cSave Me,\u201d can be <\/span>an ambigram<\/span><\/a> of \u201cI\u2019m Fine,\u201d the two songs\u2019 lyrics are also reflections (both <\/span>structurally and thematically)<\/span><\/a> of each other. Four years later, BTS have found the strength and maturity to rely on themselves \u2014 and while they may fondly look back for a moment, their steps will always take them forward. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018The Truth Untold\u2019 feat. Steve Aoki (2018)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-the-truth-untold-1.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Steven Ferdman\/Getty Images for ESB\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nProduced by Steve Aoki, co-written by RM and featuring Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, \u201cThe Truth Untold\u201d shows a brand-new side of every artist involved. Aoki steps out of his EDM space to present a glimmering piano ballad, while the vocalists each go beyond their limits to express a heartfelt attempt to conquer fear and self-loathing. The track ultimately expresses that the key to finding love is accepting one\u2019s true self. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Life Goes On\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-life-goes-on.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\n\tOn \u201cDynamite,\u201d BTS ejected from the quarantine gloom to joyride in another dimension; for \u201cLife Goes On,\u201d they use their inside-voice. Humbled by the pandemic tragedy, they inhabit an acoustic-tinged pop-R&B ballad to extend the consoling titular message they first introduced at the United Nations\u2019 75thGeneral Assembly. Jimin\u2019s heart-tugging vocal fry stands out, but V and Jin let the melody flow, while RM, Suga, and J-Hope rap like serene, soothing allies. The video even fades to black-and-white at its close; no flash needed.\u2014C<\/em><\/span>harles Aaron<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Home\u2019 (2019)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-home.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Big Hit Entertainment\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nWhen you\u2019re soaring higher and higher every day, feeling grounded can seem like a fleeting luxury. Thankfully, for the septet, home is where their fans are. \u201cAt the fork in the road, I keep remembering\/You, who knew me in my shabbiness\/In thinking of you, I\u2019m able to smile\/A place where you are,\u201d Jin croons in the bridge of this groovy track. A funky church organ sings over the sashaying melody \u2014\u00a0 a reminder that having someone in which you find refuge is sacred. And when the world is your stage, aren\u2019t you always home? \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Coffee\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-coffee.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Han Myung-Gu\/WireImage\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nOne of BTS\u2019 most underrated tracks from their formative years, \u201cCoffee\u201d chronicles a bittersweet breakup through coffee metaphors. Though the \u201ccold and bitter aftertaste\u201d of an Americano lingers, the protagonist cannot help but reminisce about the sweet memories of the relationship. Permeated with low-fi beats and sounds sampled from a busy cafe, the chill, laid-back sonic ambience is further elevated by the group\u2019s melodic vocal and rap performance, transporting you right into the middle of the breakup drama. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Am I Wrong\u2019 (2016)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-2016-am-i-wrong.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS\/Imazins via Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\u201c<\/span>We all are dogs and pigs\/ We get angry and become dogs,\u201d Suga raps, almost mockingly. This particular lyric is what makes this bouncy, bluesy hip-hop B side (featuring a sample of <\/span>Keb\u2019 Mo\u2019\u2019s 1994 song \u201cAm I Wrong\u201d) one of the group\u2019s most politically charged tracks. The lyric is believed to call out an incident that occurred a few months before <\/span>Wings<\/span><\/i>\u2019<\/em> release in October 2016, in which a South Korean government official <\/span>reportedly said<\/span><\/a> that 99 percent of his country\u2019s people are \u201clike dogs and pigs,\u201d and can be treated that way. \u201cThe whole world seems to be crazy, it feels like the end,\u201d they sing. Turns out, they were right all along. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Filter\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-jimin-filter.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images\/iHeartMedia\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nLoaded with groovy Latin beats and flirty lyrics, and paired with a choreographed routine for the books, Jimin\u2019s \u201cFilter\u201d embodies every aspect of his artistry. Delivered in the singer\u2019s signature raspy vocals, \u201cFilter\u201d sees Jimin celebrating his duality as an artist and his ability to display his various charms at the drop of a hat. Sensuous and enticing, \u201cFilter\u201d is a near-perfect introduction to Jimin\u2019s famed showmanship. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Let Me Know\u2019 (2014)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-let-me-know.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Valerie Macon\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nWritten by the rap line and Big Hit Music\u2019s longtime producer Pdogg, \u201cLet Me Know\u201d is one of the most heartbreaking tracks in BTS\u2019 arsenal. The R&B ballad grieves the natural end of a relationship: \u201cLove blooms like cherry blossoms but burns and becomes ashes,\u201d Suga states, indicating that while he knows the smarter decision is to move on, he cannot escape his memories. \u201cLet Me Know\u201d allows every single member of the group to shine; the rappers each convey a different stage of grief in their verses \u2014 cruising through denial, anger, and acceptance in turn \u2014 while the vocalists deliver some of the most powerful performances of their careers with soaring falsettos and ad-libs. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Mama\u2019 (2016)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-j-hope-mama.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS\/Imazins\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nJ-Hope opens up about his life\u2019s journey on this emotional solo track from BTS\u2019 <\/span>Wings<\/span><\/i>.<\/em> It\u2019s a unique offering from the group, inspired by gospel and hip-hop, and the lyrics pay tribute to the sacrifices the rapper\u2019s mother made so that he could pursue his dreams. \u201cMama\u201d was also accompanied by spectacular live stagings during the group\u2019s 2017 Wings<\/em> tour \u2014 each performance saw the members of BTS, the group\u2019s backup dancers, and dozens of gospel singers all joining J-Hope to sing along. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018No More Dream\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"SEOUL,](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-no-more-dream.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Choi Soo-Young\/Multi-Bits\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nThe video for BTS\u2019 first single was the world\u2019s first real glimpse of the young, seven-member crew\u2019s particular set of skills \u2014 choreography and vocals that hit with breakneck precision, lyrics that uplifted hopeless kids, and an exhilarating group dynamic. <\/span>But the reaction<\/span> was muted. They\u2019re too hip-hop to be idols; they\u2019re no Big Bang; those \u201cgangsta\u201d mannerisms have gotta go. And while the boys might\u2019ve <\/span>overexcitedly<\/span> postured like suburban swag surfers raiding a Hood by Air warehouse, such objections now sound quaint. \u2014<\/span>C.A.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018N.O\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS,](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-no-vid.jpg?w=300\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nNot long after the group made its riotous debut, BTS doubled down on their criticisms of South Korean society in \u201cN.O,\u201d condemning adults for making the youth into <\/span>\u201cstudying machines.\u201d And if that message wasn\u2019t clear enough, the music video sees the septet in a <\/span>Matrix<\/span><\/i>-like dystopian future, battling the stoic guards intent on keeping them dutifully chained behind their desks. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Don\u2019t live your life by being trapped in someone else\u2019s dream,\u201d they sing in the chorus. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\n\u2018Interlude: Shadow\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"BTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bts-shadow.jpg?w=300\")
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Big Hit Entertainment\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t<\/p>\n
\nIn a 2018 episode of the band\u2019s reality series, <\/span>Run BTS!, <\/span><\/i>Suga wrote a poem with <\/span>this line<\/span><\/a>: \u201cIt is true that the more light that burns upon us, the more shadows appear.\u201d In the fiery <\/span>Map of the Soul: 7 <\/span><\/i>opener, the rapper expounds on this metaphor, further exploring the darkness that goes hand in hand with celebrity. The track begins with a moody sample of \u201cIntro: O!RUL8,2?,<\/em>\u201d as Suga admits, \u201cI\u2019m afraid, flying high is terrifying. No one told me how lonely it is up here.<\/span>\u201d But just as it seems the rapper has braced himself to face his demons, the tempo shifts and an ear-splitting bass drops in \u2014 Suga is now spitting from his shadow\u2019s perspective, reminding him that they have no choice but to co-exist. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n- \n
\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cBTS Cypher Pt.1\u201d kicked off the septet\u2019s brutally honest, technically complex (and fan-favorite) Cypher series. For its opening chapter, RM, Suga, and J-Hope took aim at unjust judgments passed on their rapping abilities: \u201cMy attitude is my mentor\/Even if you talk smack about me, I\u2019m memento\/Show your hip-hop pride but you\u2019ll still feel impotent\/Hide your jealousy, I can see your IP address.\u201d Delivered in their respective distinctive flows, each member\u2019s performance solidified their mastery of the art form while familiarizing listeners with the rap line\u2019s unapologetic, fearless side. \u2014Riddhi Chakraborty<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Released at a time when BTS\u2019 hip-hop concept was at its zenith, \u201cHip Hop Phile\u201d comes from a place of honor and admiration as the group raps about its respect for hip-hop culture. The track lays out the members\u2019 relationship with the genre and how it inspired their creative liberation, paying tribute to their influences, from South Korean trio Epik High to Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, CL Smooth, Eminem, and others. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tThe emotive quality of the band members\u2019 voices is what gives \u201cDon\u2019t Leave Me\u201d its vastness \u2014 that and some truly fierce synth production. Despite its title, the song, from BTS\u2019 third Japanese full-length, <\/span>Face Yourself<\/span><\/i>,<\/em> isn\u2019t sung out of fear, but with faith that hardships can be overcome with trust and partnership. \u201cNo matter what, rain falls\/No matter what, darkness erases\/I\u2019ll definitely save you, you are not alone,\u201d Jin, Jimin, and Jung Kook sing.\u2014 Natalie Morin<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n During the height of quarantine, bedrooms were our sweaty dance floors. BTS captured the emotional transport music gave the world in \u201cFly to My Room,\u201d from 2020\u2019s BE.<\/em> \u201cThis room is all I have\/Well, then I\u2019ll just change this place to my world,\u201d Jimin and V sing on the sub-unit track, later joined by Suga and J-Hope\u2019s melodic rapping. The laid-back keyboard groove is tentative at first, but crescendos into a final chorus fit for a church choir \u2014 perhaps looking for something to believe in. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n BTS can criticize, empathize, and lament. But ultimately, they\u2019re uplifting, providing comfort even in times of pitch dark. Feel-good summer bop \u201cPermission to Dance,\u201d co-written by Ed Sheeran, is above all a message of hope \u2014 that the light of passion can never be extinguished, and the world is full of beauty. That ethos is even woven into the song\u2019s expressive choreography, as it uses international sign language for \u201cdance,\u201d \u201cfun,\u201d and \u201cpeace,\u201d and is deliberately simple enough (by BTS standards, at least) for anyone to join in \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n There\u2019s something about BTS\u2019 Japanese releases that leaves you swaying in a sweet-trancelike state. Perhaps it\u2019s the warm, dulcet sound or bittersweet themes of love and heartache. Either way, BTS\u2019 Japanese offerings continue to be some of the most anticipated (and loved) releases. Serving as the first of two official singles before the release of their album <\/span>Map of the Soul 7: The Journey<\/span><\/i>, \u201cStay Gold\u201d brings sanguinity, warmth, and romance wrapped in an upbeat pop arrangement. Released at a time of uncertainty, the single presented itself as a ray of hope, melting away icicles of distress we all felt during the global pandemic. \u2014<\/span>D.D.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n The melody floats in with a soft flourish, and much like its predecessor \u201cSpring Day,\u201d \u201cCrystal Snow\u201d illustrates the ephemeral nature of love using the vibrant image of the seasons. \u201cEven though you pass through me and turn to water, you are still in my heart,\u201d RM raps. \u201cI watch you shining and reflecting on every single sparkling thing.\u201d The Japanese single ebbs and bursts open with the grace and verve of a musical number as the vocalists plead: \u201cI want to hold you one more time before you disappear.\u201d \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tOn his bright solo track for BTS\u2019 2018 LP <\/span>Love Yourself: Answer<\/span><\/i>, RM plays with the Korean language to express gratefulness for the love he\u2019s received from the group\u2019s fans. He rhymes and interchanges saram<\/em> (\u201cperson\u201d) and sarang<\/em> (\u201clove\u201d) to convey the transformation he\u2019s undergone as an individual thanks to BTS\u2019 Army. He also includes a nod to Rene Descartes\u2019 famous line \u201cI think, therefore I am\u201d as he happily declares, \u201cI live, so I love.\u201d \u201cTrivia: Love\u201d is packed full of onomatopoeia, symbolism, and Easter eggs \u2014 too many to list here \u2014 that only the Army can unearth. It\u2019s a fitting gift from BTS\u2019 intellectual leader.\u2014Riddhi Chakraborty<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Originally set aside to be featured on Jung Kook\u2019s mixtape, BTS\u2019 Japanese single \u201cYour Eyes Tell\u201d is a compelling testament to the vocalist\u2019s songwriting capabilities that brings out a unique perspective on romance, heartaches, and everything in between. Brimming with mellow vocal performances gently nestled between a balladic, soul-stirring melody, \u201cYour Eyes Tell\u2019 has a beauty that lies in its ardent confessions of endearment and hope. \u2014<\/span>D.D.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n It begins with the familiar electro-pop synths of the \u201cSave Me\u201d chorus, but this time sounding much more hollow. The sample distorts and ends before a breathy V rolls in. Just as the words \u201cSave Me,\u201d can be <\/span>an ambigram<\/span><\/a> of \u201cI\u2019m Fine,\u201d the two songs\u2019 lyrics are also reflections (both <\/span>structurally and thematically)<\/span><\/a> of each other. Four years later, BTS have found the strength and maturity to rely on themselves \u2014 and while they may fondly look back for a moment, their steps will always take them forward. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Produced by Steve Aoki, co-written by RM and featuring Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, \u201cThe Truth Untold\u201d shows a brand-new side of every artist involved. Aoki steps out of his EDM space to present a glimmering piano ballad, while the vocalists each go beyond their limits to express a heartfelt attempt to conquer fear and self-loathing. The track ultimately expresses that the key to finding love is accepting one\u2019s true self. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \n\tOn \u201cDynamite,\u201d BTS ejected from the quarantine gloom to joyride in another dimension; for \u201cLife Goes On,\u201d they use their inside-voice. Humbled by the pandemic tragedy, they inhabit an acoustic-tinged pop-R&B ballad to extend the consoling titular message they first introduced at the United Nations\u2019 75thGeneral Assembly. Jimin\u2019s heart-tugging vocal fry stands out, but V and Jin let the melody flow, while RM, Suga, and J-Hope rap like serene, soothing allies. The video even fades to black-and-white at its close; no flash needed.\u2014C<\/em><\/span>harles Aaron<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n When you\u2019re soaring higher and higher every day, feeling grounded can seem like a fleeting luxury. Thankfully, for the septet, home is where their fans are. \u201cAt the fork in the road, I keep remembering\/You, who knew me in my shabbiness\/In thinking of you, I\u2019m able to smile\/A place where you are,\u201d Jin croons in the bridge of this groovy track. A funky church organ sings over the sashaying melody \u2014\u00a0 a reminder that having someone in which you find refuge is sacred. And when the world is your stage, aren\u2019t you always home? \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n One of BTS\u2019 most underrated tracks from their formative years, \u201cCoffee\u201d chronicles a bittersweet breakup through coffee metaphors. Though the \u201ccold and bitter aftertaste\u201d of an Americano lingers, the protagonist cannot help but reminisce about the sweet memories of the relationship. Permeated with low-fi beats and sounds sampled from a busy cafe, the chill, laid-back sonic ambience is further elevated by the group\u2019s melodic vocal and rap performance, transporting you right into the middle of the breakup drama. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>We all are dogs and pigs\/ We get angry and become dogs,\u201d Suga raps, almost mockingly. This particular lyric is what makes this bouncy, bluesy hip-hop B side (featuring a sample of <\/span>Keb\u2019 Mo\u2019\u2019s 1994 song \u201cAm I Wrong\u201d) one of the group\u2019s most politically charged tracks. The lyric is believed to call out an incident that occurred a few months before <\/span>Wings<\/span><\/i>\u2019<\/em> release in October 2016, in which a South Korean government official <\/span>reportedly said<\/span><\/a> that 99 percent of his country\u2019s people are \u201clike dogs and pigs,\u201d and can be treated that way. \u201cThe whole world seems to be crazy, it feels like the end,\u201d they sing. Turns out, they were right all along. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Loaded with groovy Latin beats and flirty lyrics, and paired with a choreographed routine for the books, Jimin\u2019s \u201cFilter\u201d embodies every aspect of his artistry. Delivered in the singer\u2019s signature raspy vocals, \u201cFilter\u201d sees Jimin celebrating his duality as an artist and his ability to display his various charms at the drop of a hat. Sensuous and enticing, \u201cFilter\u201d is a near-perfect introduction to Jimin\u2019s famed showmanship. \u2014D.D.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Written by the rap line and Big Hit Music\u2019s longtime producer Pdogg, \u201cLet Me Know\u201d is one of the most heartbreaking tracks in BTS\u2019 arsenal. The R&B ballad grieves the natural end of a relationship: \u201cLove blooms like cherry blossoms but burns and becomes ashes,\u201d Suga states, indicating that while he knows the smarter decision is to move on, he cannot escape his memories. \u201cLet Me Know\u201d allows every single member of the group to shine; the rappers each convey a different stage of grief in their verses \u2014 cruising through denial, anger, and acceptance in turn \u2014 while the vocalists deliver some of the most powerful performances of their careers with soaring falsettos and ad-libs. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n J-Hope opens up about his life\u2019s journey on this emotional solo track from BTS\u2019 <\/span>Wings<\/span><\/i>.<\/em> It\u2019s a unique offering from the group, inspired by gospel and hip-hop, and the lyrics pay tribute to the sacrifices the rapper\u2019s mother made so that he could pursue his dreams. \u201cMama\u201d was also accompanied by spectacular live stagings during the group\u2019s 2017 Wings<\/em> tour \u2014 each performance saw the members of BTS, the group\u2019s backup dancers, and dozens of gospel singers all joining J-Hope to sing along. \u2014R.C.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n The video for BTS\u2019 first single was the world\u2019s first real glimpse of the young, seven-member crew\u2019s particular set of skills \u2014 choreography and vocals that hit with breakneck precision, lyrics that uplifted hopeless kids, and an exhilarating group dynamic. <\/span>But the reaction<\/span> was muted. They\u2019re too hip-hop to be idols; they\u2019re no Big Bang; those \u201cgangsta\u201d mannerisms have gotta go. And while the boys might\u2019ve <\/span>overexcitedly<\/span> postured like suburban swag surfers raiding a Hood by Air warehouse, such objections now sound quaint. \u2014<\/span>C.A.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n Not long after the group made its riotous debut, BTS doubled down on their criticisms of South Korean society in \u201cN.O,\u201d condemning adults for making the youth into <\/span>\u201cstudying machines.\u201d And if that message wasn\u2019t clear enough, the music video sees the septet in a <\/span>Matrix<\/span><\/i>-like dystopian future, battling the stoic guards intent on keeping them dutifully chained behind their desks. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Don\u2019t live your life by being trapped in someone else\u2019s dream,\u201d they sing in the chorus. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n \t<\/p>\n In a 2018 episode of the band\u2019s reality series, <\/span>Run BTS!, <\/span><\/i>Suga wrote a poem with <\/span>this line<\/span><\/a>: \u201cIt is true that the more light that burns upon us, the more shadows appear.\u201d In the fiery <\/span>Map of the Soul: 7 <\/span><\/i>opener, the rapper expounds on this metaphor, further exploring the darkness that goes hand in hand with celebrity. The track begins with a moody sample of \u201cIntro: O!RUL8,2?,<\/em>\u201d as Suga admits, \u201cI\u2019m afraid, flying high is terrifying. No one told me how lonely it is up here.<\/span>\u201d But just as it seems the rapper has braced himself to face his demons, the tempo shifts and an ear-splitting bass drops in \u2014 Suga is now spitting from his shadow\u2019s perspective, reminding him that they have no choice but to co-exist. \u2014N.M.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/li>\n\u2018Hip Hop Phile\u2019 (2014)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Don\u2019t Leave Me\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Fly to My Room\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Permission to Dance\u2019 (2021)<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\u2018Stay Gold\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\u2018Crystal Snow\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Trivia \u627f: Love\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Your Eyes Tell\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n
\u2018I\u2019m Fine\u2019 (2018)<\/h2>\n
\u2018The Truth Untold\u2019 feat. Steve Aoki (2018)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Life Goes On\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\u2018Home\u2019 (2019)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Coffee\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Am I Wrong\u2019 (2016)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Filter\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Let Me Know\u2019 (2014)<\/h2>\n
\u2018Mama\u2019 (2016)<\/h2>\n
\u2018No More Dream\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n
\u2018N.O\u2019 (2013)<\/h2>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\u2018Interlude: Shadow\u2019 (2020)<\/h2>\n