BTS: New album BE 'authentic' but takes 'few risks', say critics

BTS launched the album with a socially distanced press conference in Seoul

BTS released their second album of the year on Friday, which critics have said is "authentic" but doesn't take "many risks".

BE, the K-pop band's follow-up to their UK and US number one Map of the Soul: 7, sees them address life in lockdown.

Speaking at a Seoul press conference, the band described the album as "a letter of hope" to their fans (known as The Army) around the world.

It has received a mix of three and four-star reviews, from music writers.

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The Guardian said the seven-strong unit are now showing they are not "manufactured robots" - a criticism sometimes labelled at K-pop acts - but profoundly human stars.

Katie Hawthrone opined that they had "rewrote the western pop rulebook" around fan engagement, and by various band members taking on different creative roles.

'A happy side effect'

"What makes BTS revolutionary is their willingness to address [the issue of authenticity], while showing their doubts, flaws, and sources of support. They undermine both the myth of the lone musical genius and the stereotype of the K-pop automaton."

"BE's homespun aesthetic suggests a new articulation of the group's identity, but it centres yet again around their fanbase, using the Easter eggs, clues and in-jokes developed over years of sharing storytelling duties with their fans," she added.

"This is authenticity in a language only they and their Army speak - highlighting the hypocrisy of 'authentic' pop music is just a happy side effect."

The band described it as "a letter of hope" to fans, towards the end of a difficult year

The Evening Standard also enjoyed it, awarding the album three stars, but felt the band played things a little too safe this time around.

"BE doesn't overstay its welcome, coming and going in less than half an hour and, like pretty much all BTS albums before it, it doesn't take many risks," wrote Jochan Embley.

"Maybe that's not a bad thing - in these bleak times, there's no doubt it'll be a thing of comfort for millions, and there's little else that can provide such a thing right now."

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The new album contains BTS's record-breaking second-English language track Dynamite, which smashed all YouTube records back in August.

It also arrived with a fresh music video for opening track, Life Goes On, which reflects their experiences of life during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Directed by band member Jeon Jung-kook, the video allows their 33.5m followers a snapshot of their morning routine; hanging out in their pyjamas, and ultimately performing in an empty stadium

They documented the making of the LP too, via a series of online videos.

At a socially distanced album launch press conference in the South Korean capital, RM said they had "opened up the album-making process for the first time by sharing their thoughts and work on social media".

"We wanted fans to feel that we made this album together" he said.

The Independent noted how when BTS release a record nowadays it is "a global event".

"In just eight songs, BTS have accomplished the same genre-bending they usually do in double that runtime," wrote Annabel Nugent.

She awarded four stars, while citing the influence of 90s R&B and old-school hip-hop.

"And for the most part, the album avoids the pitfall of sounding like a checklist. With BE, BTS keep their foot on the pedal."

'Given sadness a swerve'

The Metro described BE as an upbeat "journey through lockdown, from isolation to the dancefloor".

"Artists making lockdown albums could have leaned into the misery of the year - but thankfully, BTS have given sadness a swerve," wrote Emma Kelly.

"It might be thinner on the dramatic bangers than Map Of The Soul: 7 and it doesn't break the mould, but BE is a reminder that when it comes to production, energy and openness with fans, BTS are the band to beat," she continued.

Finally, NME dished out four stars, labelling the band's latest effort as "a sensitive, stunning document of pandemic life."

Rhian Daly wrote: "The pop giants take on a number of genres and triumph, this fifth Korean language album finding them on a mission to shepherd fans through uncertain days."