BTS

Week 38: Kylie- TENSION

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What is this? Like my third review of a Kylie album? I’ve lost track. My most recent review of hers was ‘Disco’, which came out amid one of the lockdowns, and the music within made you yearn to return to the dance floor, be it at clubs, wedding receptions, bars or parties. I also enjoyed listening to it and found it the perfect tonic to escape the drab reality we were all subjected to. However, it could have gone better with the younger generation, which could mean that with streaming services widely available, they can steer clear of radio and television music channels and avoid going to shops to listen. Therefore, they can choose who they want to listen to and become trapped in that mindset. I grew up on everything mentioned in the previous sentence, so my taste has become eclectic. Listening to the radio and watching Later…with Jools Holland gave me an open mind to music. I don’t believe that on these streaming services, the algorithm would recommend Kylie Minogue to a youngster listening to BTS, so therefore, you can see why Kylie hasn’t been as popular with the younger generation (yet.)

I first heard ‘Padam Padam’ on the Graham Norton Show (I think.), which was four months ago when the track was released, and it is still as popular now as it was then. The younger generation will certainly know this one, as the staff of Hobbycraft did a dance for it on TikTok. What is refreshing about the track is that it is uplifting, fun and humourous.

The record is reminiscent of the Europop/Eurodance you would hear on Euro Trash. It may be cheesy, but it is fucking fun and uplifting. We all need to lighten up once in a while. The title track flirts with Kylie going for the Daft Punk approach of using robotic vocals; the saxophone swoons on ‘You Still Get Me High’ and ‘Vegas High’, which have that Europop sound. ‘Hands’ reminded me of Madonna’s ‘Vogue’—especially the rapping verses. 

There is no way in hell that  “Tension” is nothing more than to promote her upcoming Las Vegas residence shows; I am not having it. It is far too professional just to be regarded as a throwaway. It is Kylie at her best, touching on all sorts of emotions, and it deserves its number-one placing. I do not believe “Tension” got there by sales alone; I reckon that the younger generation heard ‘Padam Padam’, streamed her, and fell in love with the music. The TikTok video would have also drawn their attention. I also love the cover art. Nice and vibrant

Song recommendations: ‘Hands’. ‘Vegas High’, ‘Padam Padam’

8/10

Week 38: Blackpink- Born Pink

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When I checked to see who was number one, I had no idea who the girl band from the Korean Republic was. Funnily enough, they came up in an Answer Smash on Richard Osman’s House of Games that same week. That was my first introduction to them (Safe to say, I didn’t get the answer because I had no idea who they were).

So, who are Blackpink? They are a K-pop girl band from the Korean Republic and the female equivalent of the highly popular BTS. The band consists of three members: Jennie, Lisa and Jisoo. They sing in both Korean and English. In 2020, they released their debut titled “The Album”. A usual title, but in all honesty, I wasn’t aware of it. According to the research I have done, the problem with their debut is that it became too overloaded with K-pop with no versatility.

So maybe it was a blessing for me to review their sophomore record because, from the first listen, it made my ears prick up. I must confess, when I heard they were a K-pop girl band, I wasn’t looking forward to listening, but it took me by surprise. The album has plenty of versatility from K-pop, RnB, rock, hip-hop, and the occasional piano ballad.

The album opens with ‘Pink Venom’, the teaser released several weeks before the record. The song appears to be heavily inspired by Rihanna and the late Notorious BIG. So, you already have RnB and hip-hop combined on the first track, complete with the band’s name chant.

The second track, ‘Shut Down,’ has a gunshot sound effect over violins and a heavy bassline. The standout performer in the track is Jisoo rapping, which appears out of nowhere.

You will learn that many songs are about female empowerment, and just like the opener, ‘Typa Girl’ follows the same path. You may think the song is sweet and innocent as it begins with a child-like synth, but no. It abruptly goes into a heavy piano, and that is then followed by silence. When the song returns, the members swap verses expressing empowerment. For example, one of the lyrics is ‘I bring money to the table, not your dinner’. A cutting snipe at the misogynists all over a trap beat—a song bombastic in production and lyrically. 

So, the first part has plenty of attitude, so what about after the halfway point? We begin with ‘Hard to Love’, a piano ballad that takes a surprise turn and switches up into a disco beat. Well, more disco funk. The guitar part was Nile Rodgers-esque. ‘The Happiest Girl’ is probably one of their only melancholic songs on the album describing the need to be happy during tough times. ‘Tally’ brings the attitude over rock instrumentals, where the band stresses the importance of being yourself and standing out from the norm.

What else can I say about the record? Well, they have learnt from their debut (I still haven’t heard it. Just going by the research.). “Born Pink” is full of versatility, which always keeps the listener interested. I found the production and the band all on point. A sublime listen, and not what I expected. I couldn’t give a fuck if they are K-pop; this was brilliant.

Song recommendations: ‘Tally’, ‘Hard to Love’, ‘Shut Down’

8/10

NB: I appear to have omitted Rosé from the review. Sorry about that. There are four members.

Week Nine: Bangtan Boys aka Bangtan Sonyeondan aka BTS- Map of the Soul: 7

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I first heard about this Korean Republic boy band while going through security at an English airport, where I saw a plethora of young teenagers with various BTS merchandise from one of their London shows last year (Some torch seemed to be the favourite after the t-shirts.) and, being ever curious, I asked some of the ladies returning to their respective countries “Who are they?” and “Where has their popularity come from?”. I was told that they were a K-Pop boy band from the Korean Republic, and I should listen to some of their songs and see what the hyperbole was all about. 

So, eventually, at some point last year, I decided to give them a listen, and even though I wouldn’t go mad for them, I could understand the hype surrounding them and why they are so popular. What I found a bit odd upon discovering them via Spotify is that this “Map of the Soul” thing is both an album and a tour. There is also “Map of the Soul: Persona, ” a seven-song extended play featured on the album. What is good about the final instalment of “Map of the Soul” is that this one goes more in-depth about the members. Look at the “Interlude: Shadow”, about Min Yoon-gi’s (Suga) struggles with fame and popularity as a member of the Bangtan Boys. The whole record talks about their current conflict with music, and they question whether they are still in love and have the passion for it now that they have achieved world status. Now, other good examples of tracks that mention these perfectly on the record are “Black Swan” and “ON”, but unfortunately, due to the use of auto-tune, I am not a fan; I cannot stand the use of auto-tune. It just disguises that certain artists cannot sing to save their lives. 

That is not necessarily the case with BTS, so I am baffled by why they feel the need to use it. “00:00 Zero O’Clock” is a much softer song, but it pretty much has the same message; it also talks about optimism about getting out of this ill feeling you have in your life. You then have the trademark deliveries of all four members, which makes this song so unique; Kim Seok-Jin (Jin), the eldest member, brings a traditional Korean ballad, Jeon Jung-kook (Jungkook) brings a falsetto, Park Ji-Min (Jimin) brings warm and sensual. Kim Tae-Hyung (V) brings comfort that makes this song feel like you are at home, putting your feet up and getting warm by the fireplace. Not bad, considering dark elements are included in the track (Yes, I am Aware of Jung Ho-Seok, aka J-Hope, but he isn’t on this track in question.).

This record is very much a nod to their fans and that they are never far away from the members’ thoughts. Yes, it might be about their personal experiences, but as always, there is a deep connection with their fans in everything they do, whether through the songs, personal interaction via the official website, live streams or performing at concerts. Kim Seokjin even brings this into focus on “Moon”, which on the surface seems about falling in love with someone, but I think it goes deeper than that and is actually gratitude towards the BTS Army as they are known. The appreciation is expressed in the sleeve notes, but I listened via Spotify, so I wouldn’t know about that. 

I happen to engage with some Bangtan Boys fans within my circle. I honestly cannot remember what songs were my standouts because it has been almost two weeks since I listened, but I was impressed by them and only didn’t like “Black Swan” and “ON” for its use of auto-tune. I’m including the original version of “ON” and not the final track featuring Sia. The record deserves credit for touching on personal subjects but also for the production, which makes this more than just a typical pop album. It’s like talking to your inner demons. It’s the members addressing their fans and thanking them individually. It’s a record of optimism where there is hope from a position where you’re stuck in the same old hole. But above all, it can be interpreted as a record where someone, something, yourself or even the band members are here to grab your hand if you are about to fall from a great height.

8/10