BTS - 'Love Yourself 轉 Tear' Album Rave
- Lindsey
- Jun 4, 2018
- 12 min read
'Love Yourself 轉 Tear' is BTS' third studio album, following their 2017 release of 'Love Yourself 承 Her'. Unlike 'Her', 'Tear' is a full album consisting of 11 bop-worthy songs that either makes you throw gang signs in the air or makes you bob your head to the beat.
For those who are new to BTS, BTS in Korean is pronounced Bangtan Sonyeondan, which literally means Bulletproof Boy Scouts. In 2017, however, they added the additional meaning: Beyond The Scene to their name. They're a 7-member South Korean boy group formed by Big Hit Entertainment. Members consist of:
The Songs
1. Intro: Singularity
"But in the end, spring will come some day
The ice will melt and flow away
Tell me if my voice isn't real
If I shouldn't have thrown myself away
Tell me if even this pain isn't real
What I was supposed to do back then."
Singularity is sung by our very own, and my ultimate bias, V, and was written by RM. The song is slow-paced throughout, accompanied by a steady beat on the drums. His deep voice flows through the melody, sounding smooth and inviting. He makes me want to dance a slow-dance with someone, preferably with him.
When watching the music video, I was in awe of the multiple aesthetically pleasing scenes, especially the scene where V was sitting against newspapered walls while roses sprouted from different locations:
The black background while white masks floated in the air as V danced in all white made me go crazy slightly too:
(In all honesty, though, I loved all the scenes).
I told myself that I had to talk about his dance skills in the video, and talking about it is what I'll do. This was also why I was in awe - he even gained the acknowledgement of their choreographer, and is now officially recognised as part of the dance line. His movements, just like his voice, flowed so effortlessly, which showcases his improvement when compared to their early debut days.
Overall, this song was smooth, giving a calming feeling to those listening. It set the mood for the album's concept.
2. Fake Love
"For you I could pretend like I was happy when I was sad
For you I could pretend like I was strong when I was hurt
I wish love was perfect as love itself
I wish all my weaknesses could be hidden
I grew a flower that can't be bloomed in a dream that can't come true."
Fake Love is the title song in this album. In an interview, RM explains that the album focuses on being true to yourself when in love: "In love, when you're not true to yourself, love won't last. That's what we wanna say.
"'Cause love is complex, and we will always have the dark sides and the sad sides. Sometimes we can't be honest and we can't be real for that. But if we keep that, we lose it."
The song starts off with V's vocals, followed by Jungkook, and the plucking of guitar strings. The beat then changes (almost intensifies) with a bass that hits you right in the chest. Their dance moves are in sync with this bass as they utilise some popping to increase the intensity.
RM then enters while rapping, accompanied by Jungkook's adlibs: "Just for you," "Who are you?" which accentuates what RM commented about being true to one's self. J-Hope makes himself present by rapping next with a little bounce in the rhythm.
The video itself reminds me of the vibes emanated from I Need U, Blood Sweat & Tears and DNA. Jimin even keeps his signature hand-out-towards-the-camera-shooting-imaginary-bullets move, which was first introduced in DNA.
Just like every BTS music video, Fake Love also told a story, which was reminiscent of the storytelling in Blood Sweat & Tears, minus RM's narration. Because of this, every music video intertwined with each other, portraying a deep story as a whole. This, of course, made fans go crazy with theories.
And just like every fan, I went insane by squealing and by continuously covering my mouth from too much fangirling when I first played the video. There were some scenes that became my favourite - they even seemed dangerous to film.
(I promise this isn't just a gallery of BTS...)
Because of the dark and deep meaning behind this song, some of the dance moves are leaning towards contemporary for a more emotional twist, although BTS still integrates some popping moves, as mentioned before.
The song then ends by repeating the pre-chorus that began the song, which is my favourite part due to the fact that it leads to a build-up.
3. The Truth Untold (feat. Steve Aoki)
"It's my fate, don't smile on me, light on me
Because I can't come to you, there's no name you can call me
You know that I can't show you me, give you me
I can't show you a run-down part of myself - I wear a mask again and go to see you
But I still want you."
The Truth Untold features Steve Aoki's assistance in creating the song, and highlights the vocal line's beautiful voices. Upon first listening, I got the sense that the song will be emotional (the title suggests this too) due to its slow pace and the accompaniment of a melancholic piano.
As the song progresses, the soft piano becomes slightly aggressive, almost containing anger. And it makes sense when reading the lyrics why the song could exude anger. The addition of drums and an electric guitar towards the end accentuates this feeling (wow, I feel like I'm writing an essay...) as the song reaches its climax.
The vocal line's ability really shines in this song. I especially love Jungkook's run when he sings: "You know that I can't show you me..." He's the golden maknae, no doubt.
This song's overall feeling gives me sad vibes, and I can imagine myself looking out of a rain-splattered window while listening to this. However, it still manages to metaphorically snatch my soul.
4. 134340 (Pluto)
"I'm only circling around
You let me go, you lost me
I'm only circling meaninglessly
You erased me, you forgot me
Once belonging to the sun's world
The song stopped, the song died down."
You know when you have those songs you skip guiltily? Yeah, sometimes I skip this song, and I always feel bad because when I do listen to it, I'm always left mindlessly dancing to the beat. I'm sorry, BTS, for skipping this song.
Now I have no idea what '134340' means, but I do know that reading the lyrics fits the title 'Pluto'.
A little background on Pluto: Pluto is a dwarf planet that orbits the sun; it is much smaller than the Earth's moon, and takes 248 Earth years to travel around the sun. It's a very very cold planet.
I thought this little bit of information needed to be said because RM raps this line: "My cold heart is 248 degrees below freezing... it stopped on the day you erased me, damn." I'm like, damn, RM, you clever lyricist.
I read from Billboard that 134340 was inspired by Pluto, which makes sense because it has Pluto in brackets, but I also feel like this song was almost a personification of Pluto, as well as an interpretation of how Pluto must have felt upon being deemed no longer a planet.
"Without a name, as always I circle around you
Parting is shameful, that unchanging colour
So I didn't have a name after all, I was just your star
It must be nice that you're a light and I only received you that way..."
But this can also be a metaphor for love, specifically unrequited love, where someone decides to give up on you. Despite this, the song emanates a jazzy feel, even though the song speaks of rejection. I love the little cheeky flute playing a cute melody in the background, as well as the sample (I don't know what of though) at the beginning.
5. Paradise
"It's alright if you stop, there's no need to run without knowing the reason
It's okay to be without a dream if you've got moments where you're happy for a while
It's okay to stop, now you won't run without knowing the destination
It's alright to live without a dream, all of the breaths that you exhale are in paradise."
After Fake Love, this is the song that I always play next. It has the potential to be my favourite song in their album. But since I can't choose between four to rise as the winner, my favourite song is still pending.
I really really adore the bass in Paradise. It provokes me to dance, and I swear I've created multiple lame choreographies for this song. The message contained is also profound. I felt a lot of passion about life from the lyrics.
This song basically just advices you that it's okay not to have a big dream, or a dream in general, as long as you're happy in your life. You don't always have to strive to achieve something life-changing. Just do what makes you happy in this present moment.
I think that's also the reason why this song could be my potential favourite.
My favourite part is RM's rap leading towards Jimin's vocals. It's what I seem to remember most from the song, probably due to the bitcheoreom part.
"Dream isn't something grandiose, anyone can have them
We deserve a life, whether it's big or small, you're just you
But real world is different from promises, we have to run, we gotta put the pedal to the metal when we shoot the flare..."
I also really love Jungkook's background vocals during Suga and J-Hope's rap. It just sounds so heavenly. I know V's my bias, but Jungkook and Jimin wreck me.
6. Love Maze
"Trapped in the maze of choices, exhausted in the closed-off chaos
We wandered to find an answer, but we're lost in the maze
Lost in the maze, in the darkness...
Even if we run endlessly down this road, the cries of those many lies could separate us."
This is the second track which enhances my inability to pick a favourite song. Although the song contains deep lyrics, it has a positive beat, making you follow the rhythm. The drums stand out for me since they maintain that steady beat that adds the positive vibes to the song.
My favourite part would have to be Jimin's "lost in the maze, in the darkness", Jungkook's little run, and the chorus just because the my-y-y gets stuck in my head. I swear there were times where I was going about my day and I randomly just sing that part, resulting in me singing the whole song in broken Korean.
It then ends as if it was cut off in mid-whisper. I guess, since I'm basically analysing this right now as if it was an essay for uni, that could symbolise getting lost in the maze and struggling to escape. They're constantly looking for a way out, therefore, you hardly hear their voices since they're running around everywhere.
(I'm suddenly reminded of the music video for Young Forever...)
7. Magic Shop
"On days you hate being yourself, on days you want to disappear forever, let's make a door in your mind
When we go through that door, then this place will wait for you, it's okay to trust me, this is a Magic Shop that will console you
Drinking a warm cup of tea, looking up at the galaxy
You'll be okay oh this is a Magic Shop
So show me
(I'll show you)."
This is the third song fighting for the 'favourite' spot. According to RM, this song was based on Jungkook's first draft while the lyrics were written by him.
For me, this song seems like a healing song for their fans on days when you're feeling low, or for days where you hate yourself. It feels like a song that really accentuates BTS' message to love yourself.
I'll be honest, there are days where I beat myself up for things I've done; there are days of regret and sorrow, which makes me hate myself and question why I had to do those certain things that I can't ever take back. Because of that, I sometimes spend a whole day lying in bed and staying away from my phone for self-reflection (sometimes I read a book for escape as well).
So this song resonated with me to the point that I cried whilst listening, and I cried even more when I read the English translation of the lyrics. It was as if BTS was telling me that everything was okay, or is going to be okay.
"Because there are many days when you hate that you're you. It could be when you are dangerous, or it could be when you are facing a challenge. There are days when you really don't want to be yourself... If that happens, you can make a door in you and visit the 'Magic Shop'." - RM.
My favourite parts of the song is J-Hope's line in the beginning due to the catchy melody: pil ttaen jangmikkoccheoreom..., and the bridge. The bridge really provoked my tears. I listened to this song for the first time when my emotions were heightened, so it wasn't difficult for the dam in eyes to break and overflow my face. I could just imagine my mum's reaction if she ever heard me sniffing after being hyped up...
"Would you believe me if everything felt fearful to me too? All of the true feelings, the remaining time
All of your answers are in this place that you found in your galaxy, in your mind."
The song then reminisces the Chainsmokers' signature sound towards the end while I wipe my tears once again.
8. Airplane Pt. 2
"A strange kid sang as often as he breathed
Wherever was fine, he just wanted to do music
Music was the only thing that made his heart beat
We walked down only one path."
Okay, enough crying. This is the fourth song that's fighting for the 'favourite' spot too. When I first heard this I couldn't stop being baffled because this song was different to any other song BTS has created.
Airplane Pt. 2 gave Arabian, Mexican and Spanish vibes and I literally could not stop picturing a mariachi band as BTS *pauses and laughs at the thought*
Following J-Hope's release of Airplane, I knew this one was going to be a bop too and I was definitely right. I think this song basically just speaks about the fun part of making it big, and I love J-Hope's rap and his feet move, followed by Jimin's I don't know x 4 and Suga's rap.
And, of course, they had to implement the move V and Jimin did when they went to Japan. I literally cracked up and fangirled even more.
Overall, this song was just fun to listen to and even more fun to watch whenever they performed it. It's the perfect song to embrace those happy vibes after listening to Magic Shop.
9. Anpanman
"Keep spinning, my Anpan
Keep ballin' ballin', still BTS
I opened my eyes, I'm a hero but still in a maze."
Anpanman is another fun song from BTS, which reminds me of Go Go from 'Love Yourself 承 Her'. It references an anime character called Anpanman from a children's anime, who is basically a red bean bread superhero:
The song contains "a meaning of wanting to spread the energy of hope through music and performance, despite having nothing."
I tried to learn the dance because it made me so happy, but I only ended up making my own lame dance moves since I couldn't concentrate on learning them without getting hyped up.
My lame moves included being a cartwheeling starfish and BLACKPINK Lisa's and Thailand's dance move for calling a taxi lol.
I have no other words. I love this song, it increases my happy vibes.
10. So What
"So what, don't stop and worry there's no use
Let go, you don't have an answer yet, but you can start the fight."
So What gives me 'fuck it' vibes. I feel as if the song accentuates the idea of youth. People in our generation have their heads full of doubts and worries - this song advices us to let go of that and enjoy the life that we have now since we won't be young forever, and some lives end abruptly. Although that's the case, the lyrics: "We are we are we are young and wild and free" indicate that this youth is still present within us even if we age.
No matter what age, we should try to calm the torrent of doubts and worries in our heads and enjoy life, as well as the feeling of being alive.
The beat of the song makes me imagine fist pumping whilst in a club. I can just see everyone jumping up and down with their hands in the air if this ever played in any club. It also reminds me of Produce 101 Season 2's 'Pick Me (Naya na)' song:
11. Outro: Tear
"Goodbyes are, for me, a tear, without even knowing, it blooms around your eyes
The words that I could not bring myself to say flow down and lingering regret crawls over my face
To me, you were once my dear but now you're merely a bitter beer
My heart that's stained with belated self-loathing becomes empty even with the passing breeze."
This is where the rap line shines, just like in all of their Cyphers. Although the lyrics emanate sadness, I feel the aggressiveness seeping from the screen and landing on my skin, resulting in goosebumps.
The song starts off with RM, then J-Hope and then Suga, taking turns afterwards. They all seem to continue where the previous rapper left off as they rap about heartbreak resulting from breakups.
Of course, with every broken heart, you go through multiple emotions and one of them is the feeling of anger. I can definitely sense that through the intensity of the beat, and how they seem to spit their lines whenever they rap.
I especially love the auto-tune used at the start of Suga's rap. I have no idea why but it emphasises the aggressiveness even more. The intensity buried within the song increases as it reaches the end with J-Hope restlessly breathing. This tells me that the feelings present within this song have all been bottled up and is now being released in just one breath. After a breakup, most say they can hardly breathe and this feels like a representation of that. I can definitely relate to the lyrics in this song and the feelings emanating from it.
~
Overall, I love the album, but I'm still pondering on what my favourite song is haha.
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