BTS’s latest album Map Of The Soul: Persona is here, and safe to say, it’s going to be record-breaking.

The album, which dropped at 10am UK time on 12 April, racked up 3 million pre-orders globally, and is predicted to follow in the footsteps of Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer and top the Billboard 200.

So, as ARMYs worldwide stream the album frantically, we at Metro.co.uk joined in on the fun – and here’s our verdict on Map Of The Soul: Persona.

Intro: Persona

RM’s moment in the sun was the trailer for Map Of The Soul: Persona, so we already knew we loved this dip into RM’s roots.




The track, which hears RM questioning his personal identity (‘who the hell am I?), is the most fun opener to a BTS record we’ve ever heard, mixing their old school inspiration with slick production and sampling.

Even for the uninitiated in the BTS ARMY, this rap track is a crossover delight – I can’t see hip-hop fans turning up their nose at this.

Boy With Luv ft Halsey

Song of the summer anybody? We can understand why this was chosen as the lead single – it’s everything we’ve come to love from BTS. The video is a perfect mix of colour, close-ups on the handsome idols, and typically amazing choreography.

That ‘oh my my my’ hook is enough to get any pop fan on board, while each member gets their time in the spotlight, whether that’s Jimin’s opener or Suga’s rap verse.

From watching the video, it seemed that Halsey didn’t actually get a look in, with the songstress just singing the hook. However, on the album itself, Halsey has a more prominent role on the chorus – although I’d argue a collaboration should really have a verse to count as a ‘featured’ credit.

I kind of wish Halsey had a more of an input like Nicki Minaj had on IDOL and Halsey fans may feel short-changed – but her minimal vocals don’t take away from the track at all.

Mikrokosmos

The track written by X Factor alumni Ryan Lawrie is the first mid-tempo song on Map Of The Soul: Persona, but it stills packs a punch thanks to the chorus.

The translated lyrics hear BTS getting all deep as they reference the stars and the universe: ‘The glistening stars, the brightly lit buildings, we’re shining brightly in our own rooms, in our own stars’ and ‘The shining star that shines brighter in the darkest of nights, the deeper the night is, the brighter the star shines.’

While it’s not as much of a bop as the prior two tracks, there is plenty of space for the boys’ vocals to shine through – which we’re sure the ARMY will appreciate.

Make It Right

They kept that Ed Sheeran collab quiet, didn’t they? Don’t expect Ed’s vocals to pop up, though, as this is a collaboration in writing only.



From the opening bars, Ed’s influence is clear, with a pared-back beat and muted horns providing a sexy vibe from the off.

This mid-tempo track sounds like the direction BTS is moving in – pop, but refined and grown-up, and it’s most definitely an album standout.

We are shook (Picture: GC Images, Getty)

HOME

Did anyone else get major late 90s R&B vibes as HOME opened? When Big Hit revealed that HOME was about the ARMY, we were expecting a heartfelt ballad – but we’re over the moon to report this is sexy, slick R&B, just like the ARMY deserves.

The vocal acrobatics on the chorus are now stuck in our head (alongside the oh my my my from Boy With Luv line, obvs), while it’s great to hear the boys’ rap skills flawlessly threaded throughout.

Jamais Vu

Jamais Vu, produced by UK duo Arcades, is the other downbeat song on the album, and while it’s not as instant an earworm as the rest of the record, we can see ARMYs loving this, as it’s all about the vocals.

BTS are growing up (Picture: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

During the live shows, the ballads are always a high point as the group get a chance to flex their pipes, as well as getting to hear the fans singing their lyrics back to them.

Halfway through Jamais Vu, we get a bit of an uptick in energy with a rap verse and a harder beat – which leads us to the grand finale.

Dionysus

We were promised a straight up hip-hop song, and BTS have not disappointed.


Dionysus is all about attitude, and calls back to the group’s early days, which is in no way a bad thing. RM is in his element with his attacking verses, and while it’s not the type of track a casual BTS fan (is there such a thing?) might associate with the band, this feels totally natural for the band.

It’s a very strong closing track to the seven-song EP, with the drum track adding a retro 90s feel.

Verdict

We all know that this album is going to sell, regardless of the content – but that doesn’t mean BTS have been slacking when it comes to its production.

Map Of The Soul: Persona is BTS’s most mature, refined record to date, and it most definitely sounds like a new era following the Love Yourself trilogy. The boys’ R&B and hip-hop influences come through even stronger this time around, with Dionysus, HOME and Persona going harder than the rest.

But it’s Boy With Luv which will be the money shot for Big Hit – it is the perfect song of the summer, with a video to match, and is very commercial and radio friendly. This could be the song that gets BTS onto mainstream playlists, and we are down with that.

But Make It Right may be the song that gets an older audience on board the BTS train. Ed Sheeran’s influence is crystal clear, while BTS maintain their originality, and we predict this will be the next hit.


All in all, this is an album that will delight ARMYs, but will move them onto the next stage in their career – and we’re so ready for the new era.

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