The BTS Army was in full swing on social media Friday with the release of the K-pop group’s latest album – and critics were praising the project, too.
The album, titled “Map of the Soul: 7,” continues the group’s “Map of the Soul” series and follows the storyline of the previous release, “Map of the Soul: Persona,” which was released in April.
Despite not receiving any nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards, the seven-member group has gained global popularity since breaking onto the scene.
Los Angeles Times writer August Brown called the album “a fantastic summary of BTS’ accomplishments so far.”
“It’s an album about being in a band, about the relationships that form and get tested in the crucible of insane fame, all set to some of the most genre-invigorating music of their career,” he wrote.
Forbes contributor Hugh McIntyre described track “On,” one version of which features Sia, as “large, exciting, and in the end, one of the catchiest songs BTS has released yet.”
“The Sia-assisted take has a better shot at becoming a true hit in most Western countries, and perhaps all around the world,” the review continued. ” ‘On’ deserves to become their highest-charting cut yet.”
During an interview with Apple Music’s New Music Daily with Zane Lowe, BTS described the track.
“When we say ‘On’ it’s like, we on, or, like, on air. It’s like, bring it on. We, we could like imagine it many things,” the group explained. “Yeah, so it’s like a declaration for that we have admitted our, like, destiny, you know, all the, all the pains and all the shadows.”
UK newspaper Metro‘s writer Emma Kelly agreed that “On” had “great hooks, major energy and swag” and is “possibly the strongest moment on the album.”
Kelly also praised other tracks including “UGH!”, which she described as an “old school BTS Korean hip-hop moment,” and “My Time,” which she dubbed as “Jungkook’s strongest solo showing to date.”
The Evening Standard‘s Jochan Embley said the album is “rather good” but didn’t take any risks.
“It’s an impeccably polished collection, written well and performed admirably. It’s good, but it’s safe,” Embley wrote.
In addition to critical praise, members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have gained a massive, loyal fanbase. Especially active on social media, the BTS Army propelled multiple hashtags into Twitter trends since the album’s release.
“jimin & taehyung’s voices melt together so beautifully and i seriously can’t stop crying bc of the stories they shared and memories they’ve had together Loudly crying face,” user @@stussyjimin tweeted.
” ‘we are not seven without you’ referring to us armys. the lyrics of we are bulletproof: eternal is so important and beautiful, keep it as a gift,” user @Yoongi61_5 shared.
“I’M AWAKE AND MAP OF SOUL: 7 IS HITTING, STOP EVERYTHING…” user @jisutoes tweeted.
“Got to quickly get a first listen of #Map_Of_Soul_7 cause I got uni in a bit! #ON is strong so far, what a dance Yoongi is and his verse O.O !!” user @MeRkUr94 tweeted.
“oh my……. bts……. WOW,” user @90SEOUL tweeted.
North American fans of the group will have the chance to listen to the latest album live during the BTS Map of the Soul Tour, which kicks off in Seoul on Aprill 11.
The tour includes several U.S. stops, too. In May, the group is scheduled to play shows in Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, East Rutherford, New Jersey, Toronto and Washington. They will also have performances in Santa Clara, California, in April and in Chicago in June.
Other stops on the world tour include London, Berlin and Barcelona, Spain, as well as Japanese cities Fukuoka, Osaka, Saitama and Tokyo.
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