Be

by BTS

Overview

On their third major release in 2020, K-pop titans BTS delivered a heartfelt and inspiring soundtrack to pandemic isolation with Be. At a brisk eight tracks, the album arrived at a time when most of their fans around the world were still in various stages of the lockdown brought about by COVID-19, which also halted all of the band's promotional plans for their chart-topping global smash Map of the Soul. Quarantined like everyone else, the septet crafted this gift for fans, a direct link between artist and listener that extends the sentiment that we're all in this together. On the first half of the effort, the boys take a midtempo approach with warm, soothing ballad-esque comforts that offer hope and connection. While Suga melodically rhymes about a swiftly changing world on "Life Goes On," he reassures fans that their relationship remains unchanged. Later, on "Fly to My Room," Jimin, V, Suga, and j-hope offer a behind-the-scenes peek as the boys go stir-crazy, stuck at home and ordering takeout while mindlessly staring at the television just like everyone else. By the time Jin dramatically intones "I just wanna be happier" on the crushing "Blue & Grey," it's abundantly clear that BTS are also having a hard time with 2020's changes. The vulnerability and intimacy in these revealing moments is an essential part of how the boys have so deeply endeared themselves to their ARMY fan base. Once these emotions are purged, a quick skit -- an inside joke with fans involving South Korea's president and their record-breaking number one hit "Dynamite" -- sets the stage for the energetic second half of Be. The pulsing disco funk of "Telepathy" picks up the pace with a groovy bass line and cowbell, while the popping "Dis-ease" provides an old-school hip-hop showcase for j-hope, RM, and Suga's verses backed by V, Jung Kook, Jin, and Jimin's melodic harmonies. Jung Kook and Jin kick off the blissful "Stay," a classic BTS dance track that quickly morphs from a breezy pop ditty into a pounding EDM anthem as RM takes control. These songs build to a natural high point with closer "Dynamite," the retro-cool disco jam that shot to number one in over a dozen countries. Offering a final encouraging note (and a glorious late-song key change), "Dynamite" reminds listeners that, even if they're stuck in quarantine, they might as well focus on the positive and dance. Despite its brief runtime, Be is an expert snapshot of time and place, a document of a worldwide event that manages to strengthen their connection to their listeners and push their songcraft forward with focus, heart, and humanity. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	02/19/2021
Label:	Big Hit
UPC:	8809633189531

Tracks

1. Life Goes On
2. Fly to My Room
3. Blue; Grey
4. Skit
5. Telepathy
6. Dis-Ease
7. Stay
8. Dynamite

Album Credits

Performance Credits

BTS   Primary Artist
Ivan Jackson   Bass,Keyboards
P-Dogg   Rap,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Suga   Rap
John Thirkell   Horn
RM   Vocals (Background),Rap
Meloney Collins   Choir/Chorus
Cosmo Liney   Bass
Patrick Liney   Keyboards
Slow Rabbit   Vocal Group
Matt Thomson   Vocals,Vocal Group
DJ Friz   Scratching
Jimin   Vocals (Background)
V   Vocals (Background)
David Stewart   Drums,Piano,Percussion,Horn,Drums,Piano,Strings,Percussion,Steel Pads,Guitar (Bass),Synthesizer Bass,Vocals (Background),Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Synthesizer Bass,Synthesizer Pads,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Kenna Ramsey   Choir/Chorus
Ivan Rosenberg   Bass,Keyboards
ADORA   Vocals (Background)
El Capitxn   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocal Group
Ghstloop   Drums,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Vocal Group
Dedrick Bonner   Choir/Chorus
John McEwan   Vocals
Young   Guitar
Joe Femi Griffith   Vocals (Background)
Stewart Brock   Vocals,Vocal Group
Arston   Keyboards,Percussion,Keyboards,Percussion
Loren Smith   Choir/Chorus
Jung Kook   Vocals (Background)
Conor Rayne   Drums
Hiss Noise   Drums,Synthesizer,Vocal Group
DJ Frants   Vocal Group
Ji Soo Park   Drums,Piano,Guitar,Strings,Clarinet
Ruuth   Vocals (Background)
James Keys   Vocals (Background)
Max Lynedoch Graham   Vocals,Vocal Group
Nobody   Bass
Summergal   Vocal Group

Technical Credits

Ivan Rosenberg   Programming,Composer
Ivan Jackson   Producer,Programming
P-Dogg   Editing,Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Digital Editing,Mixing Engineer,Vocal Arrangement,Assistant Producer,Additional Production
Juan Pena   Vocal Engineer
Suga   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Antonio Armato   Producer
Antonina Armato   Composer
Cosmo's Midnight   Composer,Producer
Randy Runyan   Producer
Brasstracks   Producer
J-Hope   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Jimin   Composer,Producer
Jin   Composer,Producer
V   Composer,Producer
David Stewart   Composer,String Programming
Serban Ghenea   Mixing Engineer
Bob Horn   Mixing Engineer
Erik Reichers   Engineer
John Hanes   Assistant
Gia Lim   A&R
Hiju Yang   A&R
El Capitxn   Composer,Producer
Ghstloop   Composer,Producer,Programming,Digital Editing
Nu Kim   Photography,Visual Concept
Jessica Agombar   Composer
Heidi Wang   Assistant
Joe Femi Griffith   Composer,Producer
Levi   Composer,Producer
Josh Gudwin   Mixing Engineer
Ken Lewis   Mixing Engineer
Duane Benjamin   Vocal Arrangement
Randy Runyon   Composer
Chris James   Composer,Producer,Composer
Nicole Kim   A&R
Bang Si Hyuk AKA "Hitman" Bang   Executive Producer,Compilation Co-Producer
Jenna Andrews   Vocal Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Chris Gehringher   Mastering
James F. Reynolds   Mixing Engineer
Arston   Producer,Composer,Producer
Revine   Digital Editing
RM   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Yang Ga   Mixing Engineer
Jung Kook   Composer,Producer
Elijah Marrett-Hitch   Assistant
Hiss Noise   Editing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Digital Editing
Ji Soo Park   Composer,Producer,String Arrangements
Ruuth   Composer,Producer
Metaphor   Composer
Dominik Rivinius   Assistant
Summergal   Digital Editing