We’re only a month away from the ending of this challenging year, but BTS is here to provide solace to ARMYs.

BE feels special as this is the first time BTS was involved in the entire album production. They shared the production process through live streams to connect more with ARMYs.

“It feels like we made the album together with ARMY,” RM said at the global press conference.

BE offers eight tracks to cater to listeners of varied genres — be it ballad, retro-disco pop, or even EDM. It is undeniable that RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have created a masterpiece of each track on the album.

How about we dive into the tracks, one by one?

Note: All lyrics translations are credited to ARMY translator, doolsetbangtan. Click on the lyrics to see the full song translation. 

1. Life Goes On

As soon as the song starts, we know it represents the situation in 2020. The first thing that struck me is optimism that does not invalidate the pain, struggles and uncertainties the pandemic presents. BTS has always recognised the difficulties in front of them, but they do not forget to end the song on a hopeful note.

BTS is known for their deep and comforting lyrics about self-love. Life Goes On can be interpreted as a continuation of the Love Yourself campaign. This song feels relatable at a time when many people need this hopeful, but not toxic-positive message more than ever. 

Life Goes On assures listeners their feelings are valid and it’s okay to feel sad in this tough year. But that doesn’t mean you have to sink into sadness. With its soothing tempo, this song feels like a warm blanket that protects you from the cold weather. BTS encourages us to stay together with them and to look forward to it even though nobody knows when this pandemic will end.

“People say the world has changed. Thankfully, between you and I, it’s still the same”, SUGA raps. It’s clear that Life Goes On is dedicated to ARMYs. BTS know ARMYs miss them and it goes the same way for them.

2. Fly To My Room

Fly To My Room is a unit song from Jimin, V, Suga, & j-hope. Similar to Boy With Luv, BTS reminds us to find a little happiness around us in Fly To My Room.

Anyway

I want to leave, any way

There’s no way

This room is all I have

V successfully portrays how disappointing the situation is with this verse alone. But in the next verse, he decides to try to enjoy the situation. “Well, then I’ll just change this place to my world yeah”

The slow tempo is easy to listen to and Fly To My Room will leave listeners with a new-found appreciation of their own rooms — their own safe havens.

3. Blue & Grey

V is credited as contributing producer and songwriter for Blue & Grey. The colours represent the sadness and misery that he felt throughout his life. Although with its melancholy lyrics, Blue & Grey is not a song about despair but a story of someone’s journey to heal their sorrow.

After secretly collecting words that wander around in the void,

now I fall asleep, at dawn, good night

The closing verses convince us to not to hide away our sadness. Express your sadness, and it will be healed later. V mentioned the guitar gives warmth to Blue & Grey. This song was initially meant for V‘s upcoming mixtape but the septet recorded it as a group instead.

The slow-raps from RM, SUGA, & j-hope seem like they are talking to listeners, which makes Blue & Grey feel even more sentimental.

Through Blue & Grey, BTS shows their relatability. Despite their fame and success, they are still seven young men who face uncertainties and experience extreme sadness from time to time.

4. Skit

It’s been a while since BTS included Skit in their album tracklist. A skit is a perfect way to show their excitement after successfully topping The Billboard HOT 100 chart with Dynamite. Even though this is not technically a song, the euphoria the group felt as they shared their victory is so so sweet.

But of course, Skit is not included in the album just for the sake of it. It actually plays a clever role in the track list, as it separates the chapters of this album. The songs after Skit sound more cheerful compared to the previous three tracks.

“Hope-ah, don’t you think this is what happiness is like?” RM says as the skit fades out.

Skit is not just a celebration of their new nickname, Billboard No.1 singers. We can feel their pureness after fulfilling one of their biggest dreams as musicians.

5. Telepathy

Can’t get enough of Dynamite? Here BTS presents another retro-vibes song, Telepathy. In the song, BTS expresses disappointment in not being able to meet ARMYs. They also assure ARMYs that despite being away each other, they will always be there even if it is only through telepathy.

I’m the happiest when I meet you.
In my everyday life that is different every day,
the person that is you is the most special to me

Telepathy feels like a sweet message from a friend that we are unable to meet for a while. SUGA said in a VLIVE broadcast that he, RM and Jungkook wrote Telepathy to tell ARMYs to wait for them just a little while. Waiting is supposed to be boring but who wouldn’t be willing to wait if it is for BTS?

6. Dis-ease

BTS brings back their Dark & Wild era vibes with this track. The old school hip-hop genre reminds me of War of Hormone, with its typical DJ’s scratching sounds. While the catchy song makes it easy to hum and head-bop along to, the lyrics hit hard with the meaningful message about the love-hate relationship with work.

BTS’ once again showcase their genius wordplay skills in Dis-ease. Main songwriter j-hope defines an uneasy feeling when you are not productive as a “disease”. Meanwhile, Dis-ease can also interpreted as “this-ease” — feeling complete after working on something.

Dis-ease feels relatable at a time where many feel overwhelmed by their workload but are insecure about taking a break. It is impressive that j-hope, RM, SUGA, and Jimin can write down this hard-to-explain feeling precisely and create a song with pleasing vibes . They also did not forget to insert a hopeful message on its lyrics. “Let’s all keep calm and treat the diseases,” says the song. So far, Dis-ease is on my on-repeat playlist besides Life Goes On!

7. Stay

EDM lovers and non-lovers alike, Stay will still be something worth your three minutes and 25 seconds! Stay is a fabulous combination between Jungkook’s sweet vocals, Jin’s high note, and RM’s enticing rap. The sub-unit sings about BTS’ longing for ARMYs and their belief that fans will always be there. “Yeah, I know you always stay,” says the lyrics.

Stay is a perfect mood booster for a concert and is in the same vein as previous EDM bops, Outro:Wings, Best of Me, and DNA. I hope someday we can see this powerful sub-unit perform Stay live on stage!

8. Dynamite

BE concludes with the No.1 Billboard HOT 100 track, Dynamite. This track was released in August as a pre-release track and a gift from BTS to cheer ARMYs up.

The catchy beat and colourful sounds make the track very easy to listen to. It is no wonder then, why Dynamite has smashed many records, multiple music show wins, and earned BTS a nomination in The Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for 2021 Grammy Awards. Such a big milestone for Korean pop music history!

BTS always had the knack for crafting music that captures the elusive feelings of existence, the nostalgic loss of youth, the loneliness of transitional life phases to the exhilaration of first loves. And they have done it yet again with this album! The group’s take on the stream of pandemic music that has trickled into the music scene, never has such timely comfort been more welcomed.

BE is a collection of tracks that reassures without invalidating the stressful times of an unprecedented pandemic — that is perhaps the best summary for this album. While we expected nothing less from the expert production of BTS and the Big Hit team, we are once again blown away by how masterfully the album presents a musical storyline of grief, isolation and hope. Right from the first bittersweet crooning of Life Goes On to the concluding uplifting funk of Dynamite, BTS offers a warm shoulder to cry on with BE.

BE is an amazing album and we are so amazed at BTS’ achievements. Feeling nostalgic? Check out BACKTRACK with BTS: Five of BTS’ Representative B-sides Before Their Rise to Fame.

Stay connected with BTS:

BTS Twitter | BTS Instagram | BTS YouTube

Written by: Emilia and Cheyenne

Image by: Agnes

Established in 2011, The Seoul Story is a Southeast Asia-based Korean Events, Entertainment & Lifestyle News Site On The Go

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