Bangtan Sonyeondan return with a new second full-length album "Wings". With all the intense teaser mini films and pictures, does this make the album worth a listen?
Intro: Boy Meets Evil From J-Hope's teaser where he performs a stunningly intense dance solo. The song talks about a comparison on how love is like the devil and the sinful feelings that develop. It's mainly a J-Hope song but the addition of Jungkook's echoing of Too bad, but it's too sweet, it's too sweet softens the dark feeling within the lyrics but then there is a slight counter attack of It's too evil by J-Hope, who is somehow reflecting on the situation in reality.
Blood Sweat & Tears Title song for this Wings comeback. Very, very different from the usual Bangtan sound. Incredibly sensual song with sensual choreography. The lyrics are very intimate. The rappers and vocalists give me chills with their lines. I think the main goosebumps I get from this song is during Jin and Jimin's team up.
Begin (Jungkook solo) Jungkook talks about debuting and how he was empty before he met his brothers/Hyung. A very touching song that undoubtedly shows Jungkook's talented singing skills
Lie (Jimin solo) The opening orchestral somehow prepares me for a bittersweet, angst moment before the tempo goes up. Jimin sings about discovering how he was caught in a lie and how he tries to find out the real self/the innocent self. Bring him back to life is probably the message he is sending out. This is a truly deserved solo track and hats off to Jimin for showing what he is made of.
Stigma (V solo) Taehyung gave the ARMYs a taster of his charged up vocals in his teaser film, as well as his acting skills. Stigma is a ballad that talks about a hidden secret where Taehyung was unable to save somebody and how he is sorry. How that person suffered for his crime and the regret he feels. Taehyung goes for higher notes this time, as opposed to the more growling or deeper singing approach the fans are accustomed to.
First Love (Suga solo) Yoongi revisits his first feelings of love for music. How the piano symbolises this love. I feel like I'm listening to an extra track on his mixtape. This approach to opening your feelings to people in a whisper against the background of a piano instrumental. It truly sets the scene of the song nicely.
Reflection (Rap Monster solo) I'm one of those who doesn't mind Namjoon's singing so this solo track is a treat because he fuses his singing and rapping in some parts. As the title suggests, this is about Namjoon reflecting about himself. How he is his own feelings such as anxiety and depression. I wish I could love myself Me too, Namjoon. Maybe I'll visit Tteukseom to contemplate in private as well when I get the chance to visit Korea.
MAMA (J-Hope solo) Really like the brass opening in this track. Hoseok gives a shout-out to his Mother and her support on him becoming a performer, informing her now that she can lean him since he has found his calling in life.
Awake (Jin solo) After watching the teaser and listening to the song in the clip I wasn't sure if I would be fully prepared to be able to absorb the entire track properly. Another song on this album which tugs the heartstrings. The main thing I noticed was how it was impossible to dream and progress as easily as other people, unable to fly or touch the sky. No matter the struggles, he still wants to run and keep going. The particular line "I clutch six flowers in my hands" surely refers to the younger members of Bangtan.
Lost Returning to the group songs now, we get back on track with Lost which evidently talks about being lost and unable to find your way in life and not just in the current situation where you're in a random place and have no idea where you are going. Vocal Line take charge with the song and it is a treat to see them have enough lines distributed between them.
BTS Cypher 4 The long awaited Cypher 4 that many wanted but never got since Dark and Wild. The beat is from a Tricky Stewart song and there was some miscommunication regarding this between Tricky and Big Hit. Nonetheless the song is a definite nod to the Bangtan cynics, calling out their jealousy over the group's fame and random criticising because the guys get hated no matter what they do.
Am I Wrong The original beat is by a blues artist Keb Mo and this version talks about whether it's wrong to say how the world is crazy. How everyone and everything is crazy though we still want to endeavour through this crazy world.
21st Century Girls A follow-up to Miss Right on how you're perfect just as you are as a female and to ignore the haters and the curious eyes on you while in public. Very upbeat song with fun choreography, as seen in the comeback stages. I recommend following the fan chants as you listen to this song a few times. Makes it more entertaining.
Two! Three! (Still Wishing There Will Be Better Days) A song for the ARMY fandom perhaps. It seems that way. Bangtan acknowledge the tough days from debuting as an idol and from their current status but they also take note of the good days and how there will be more over time. They also encourage the fans to erase their sad memories and to be happy with them. Erase the sad memories, hold their hands and laugh. I can imagine this going down well in a concert encore.
Interlude: Wings The last song speeds up and is almost like a quick outro to end the adventure/journey on this album. "Wings" talks about reaching higher and higher, even flying further to the dreams you truly wish to accomplish. Wings are meant to fly
Overall
It's been a long time since I went on a rare emotional rollercoaster ride while listening to a full-length album with great concentration. The last one to make me do that was possibly First Sensibility by B.A.P. BTS's HYYH saga owned my soul with their songs and "Wings" has managed to succeed in making me feel all kinds of things, capturing my mind and transporting me to a surreal place. It feels more raw than the previous works and somehow each member's talent is equally justified in the solos, rapper and vocal line-centred tracks. If one does not really understand why Bangtan has the fans this album truly shows what all seven can do. I'm happy Big Hit allowed the members to take control of how the songs were to be produced and composed. The freedom they were given for Wings was worth it. This new era will hopefully make Bangtan shine further down their path.
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