Be [Deluxe Edition]

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:	11/20/2020
Label:	Big Hit
UPC:	8809633189159
Rank:	188307

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
El Capitxn   Vocal Group,Vocals,Keyboards
Ghstloop   Drums,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Vocal Group
Dedrick Bonner   Choir/Chorus
John McEwan   Vocals
Nobody   Bass
Summergal   Vocal Group
Slow Rabbit   Vocal Group
Matt Thomson   Vocals,Vocal Group
DJ Friz   Scratching
Jimin   Vocals (Background)
David Stewart   Vocals (Background),Guitar (Bass),Synthesizer Bass,Vocals (Background),Drums,Piano,Percussion,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Synthesizer Bass,Synthesizer Pads,Guitar (Electric),Horn,Drums,Piano,Strings,Percussion,Steel Pads
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
ADORA   Vocals (Background)
P-Dogg   Keyboards,Synthesizer,Rap
Young   Guitar
Joe Femi Griffith   Vocals (Background)
Arston   Keyboards,Percussion,Keyboards,Percussion
Stewart Brock   Vocals,Vocal Group
Loren Smith   Choir/Chorus
RM   Rap,Vocals (Background)
Meloney Collins   Choir/Chorus
Cosmo Liney   Bass
Patrick Liney   Keyboards
V   Vocals (Background)
Kenna Ramsey   Choir/Chorus
Ivan Rosenberg   Bass,Keyboards
Ivan Jackson   Bass,Keyboards
Suga   Rap
John Thirkell   Horn

Technical Credits

Ghstloop   Composer,Producer,Programming,Digital Editing
Nu Kim   Photography,Visual Concept
Summergal   Digital Editing
Brasstracks   Producer
J-Hope   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Jimin   Composer,Producer
Jin   Composer,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
Gia Lim   A&R
Hiju Yang   A&R
El Capitxn   Composer,Producer
P-Dogg   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Digital Editing,Mixing Engineer,Vocal Arrangement,Assistant Producer,Additional Production,Editing
Juan Pena   Vocal Engineer
Jessica Agombar   Composer
Heidi Wang   Assistant
Joe Femi Griffith   Composer,Producer
Levi   Composer,Producer
Metaphor   Composer
Arston   Composer,Producer,Producer
Dominik Rivinius   Assistant
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
Revine   Digital Editing
RM   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Cosmo's Midnight   Composer,Producer
Randy Runyan   Producer
V   Composer,Producer
David Stewart   Composer,String Programming
Serban Ghenea   Mixing Engineer
Bob Horn   Mixing Engineer
Erik Reichers   Engineer
John Hanes   Assistant
Ivan Rosenberg   Composer,Programming
Ivan Jackson   Producer,Programming
Suga   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Antonio Armato   Producer
Antonina Armato   Composer