BTS is the largest boy band in the entire world, one of South Korea’s largest exports, have spoken at the United Nations General Assembly three times, and was the first non-English speaking act to sell out concerts at the fabled Wembley Stadium in London and Rose Bowl in California. In other words, they’re absolutely massive cultural icons in youth culture. And naturally, as an American 35-year old father of two toddlers, I’m not exactly their target demographic.
But I damn well should be, because Love Yourself 轉 Tear is an absolute powerhouse of a pop album. To be expected the production is simply sublime, meticulously crafted to burrow itself between your ears and never leave. It works not just because the vocal melodies are perfectly executed (they are) or just because BTS blends elements of R&B, hip hop, and jazz into massive pop hooks throughout the entirety of the album (they do) or even just because the instrumentation is both restrained and ravishing all at the same time (it is). And it certainly doesn’t work because the lyrical content is heartfelt and earnest in a way I can understand (I don’t speak Korean for starters).
It works because some music has the ability to connect with you on a more primal humanistic level. The emotional journey BTS took me on through Love Yourself 轉 Tear felt palpable even though I couldn’t understand the language being spoken. I felt the weight of painful loss and nostalgic longing in each song (especially the album opener “Intro: Singularity” which is gorgeous and a must-listen), which is exactly what this semi-concept album is apparently all about. That ability is something special. Some music can transcend cultural and language barriers, especially when the motifs throughout are well-defined and tell a story that feels like a singular cohesive thought.
Apparently BTS is that kind of boy band. Because Love Yourself 轉 Tear is certainly that kind of album.
Standout Songs: “Intro: Singularity”, “FAKE LOVE”, “Paradise”
