In the midst of their global pop takeover in 2019, South Korean boy band
BTS found themselves the subjects of the mobile game BTS World. Within the game, users finally had a chance to become the group's manager and lead them to fame before they hit it big in 2012. The accompanying companion piece,
BTS World: Original Soundtrack, adds a few choice nuggets to the
BTS catalog, but make no mistake, this is not an official
BTS album. On the first four tracks,
BTS members are joined by the guest artist/producer pairings of
Charli XCX and
Stargate ("Dream Glow"),
Zara Larsson and
Mura Masa ("Brand New Day"), and
Juice Wrld and
Powers Pleasant ("All Night") for a trio of collaborations that range from shimmering synth pop to smooth hip-hop. The bulk of the effort features whimsical compositions by
Kang Minkook, who delivers one theme song per
BTS member. Echoing the spirits of a
Disney/
Ghibli score, these delightful instrumentals split the difference amongst soothing jazz, dramatic strings, and even a brief moment of action-packed flair (on
Namjun's theme, "Captain"). The soundtrack closes with a light ditty from indie pop duo
Okdal ("LaLaLa") and a soaring rock ballad by
Lee Hyun ("You Are Here"). For diehards,
BTS World provides ample fodder to sate appetites hungry for more
BTS-related material and offers an expanded range of unexpectedly pastoral elements to incorporate into
BTS' usual sphere of high-energy anthems and emotive ballads. ~ Neil Z. Yeung