Map of the Soul: 7
by BTS
  • Record Label: Bighit
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2020
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 9464 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8,527 out of 9464
  2. Mixed: 88 out of 9464
  3. Negative: 849 out of 9464
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  1. Parkchimmy
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    This album is just amazing, from the different rhythms to all the lyrics which are sooo powerful and meaningful. I just beg you tu listen to this blessed album and check the lyrics of each songs by the way!
  2. amandahonorio
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    Incrível álbum, letras lindas e emocionantes, melodias incríveis, amei especialmente os single on e black swan!
  3. thepurpledachsh
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was very excited for this album to come out and rightfully so!!
    First the fact the there were 20 songs is amazing, even combined with the ones from Persona EP, it was great. There is something for everyone - savage rap songs, happy friendship ones, something on more slow jam sexier side, also very deep and emotional ones for a good cry. What never stops to surprise me is that BTS always has the most amazing lyrics and does not shy away to speak on something important unlike a lot of modern acts kpop or not. The vocals and skillful rap was used amazingly. You can tell a lot of work was put in it and the boys themselves wrote/produced a lot which is always great when the artist themselves put work into it as much as they do. I wish more GP would consider giving this album a listen with translations, it's definitely worth a shot!    … Expand
  4. jangmi
    Feb 25, 2020
    9
    I think this entire album feels like a love letter to themselves and their music.

    They talk about their struggles, but without painting the whole album as a melancholy induceded album, they talk about it but in a way that makes us all humans who are bound to struggle and overcome these obstacles with our own way. There are moments when they call out their haters, but there are moments    I think this entire album feels like a love letter to themselves and their music.

    They talk about their struggles, but without painting the whole album as a melancholy induceded album, they talk about it but in a way that makes us all humans who are bound to struggle and overcome these obstacles with our own way. There are moments when they call out their haters, but there are moments where they profess their love for the friendship they built inside the group.

    Some of the things that made me a little disappointed with the album were the amount of lyrics in English, but that's soemthing we can put aside because with the brilliance of their diction and playful manner with words it almost goes by unnoticed.

    I really enjoy how they managed to showcase a bunch of geners and still make a cohesive album, even if some tracks weren't my favorite (some of the solos) I know why they were placed on the album.

    For me this was a great step forward from the pop-y mainstream generic made for the american market that was MOTS: Persona. The time it took for it to be released was worth it.    … Expand
  5. lovatobts
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    this album is so damn good it amazes me, the vocals, the production, the music, is a blessing to my ears
  6. Leticia378
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    A true masterpiece different from everything they done before really good and feels like a roller coaster of feelings
  7. byvante
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    it’s their best album for sure, and maybe the best album I’ve ever heard, they include different styles and always innovate. Masterpiece.
  8. LinhPhan
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    I really love this album, the story of 7 members I can feel them when I listen to every single track :))
  9. andreapower
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    This album is nothing short of a masterpiece. The songs are beautifully done, and anyone can enjoy them, regardless of the language they’re sung in. It’s a moving experience for anyone who’s been a fan of BTS for any amount of time, and welcomes new listeners with catchy tracks like ‘ON’, ‘Filter’, ‘Outro: Ego’, and so on. I’ve seen the album described as being a love letter from BTS toThis album is nothing short of a masterpiece. The songs are beautifully done, and anyone can enjoy them, regardless of the language they’re sung in. It’s a moving experience for anyone who’s been a fan of BTS for any amount of time, and welcomes new listeners with catchy tracks like ‘ON’, ‘Filter’, ‘Outro: Ego’, and so on. I’ve seen the album described as being a love letter from BTS to their careers and all they’ve accomplished, which is gorgeously accurate. You can hear the emotion and hard work that poured into each word, which paired with the English translation of the lyrics makes for a touching listen. It was nice to sit down with my friends and listen to each of the songs together, being able to experience the album with the ones who introduced me to BTS in the first place was definitely something special. It truly is amazing how seven normal boys from Korea got together and became such a force all around the world, having impacted millions across the globe, despite any language differences, and created a community connecting these millions of people, in a place which they all feel safe and happy. This album, along with the others, is held in a special place in my heart and will certainly be listened to for plenty of years to come. Thank you BTS… Expand
  10. aDrsdsk
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    A celebration of 7 years of career with musics well written and produced to be like a travel with them through their experience as people in the music industry and them living with one another. A lot of references to their old musics, you feel some sense of nostalgia too. I loved this
  11. Vopeluvbot
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    a masterpiece it is album of the year already they are legends their title is just *chief kiss*
  12. GAK920326
    Feb 25, 2020
    9
    Being their fan relatively new since LY:Her release, I find it very interesting to see how the group's musical sensibility evolves for the past few years. MOTS:7 feels the most intimate, personal yet retrospective. There is a sense of BTS finally accepting all the past and embracing them right, which is exactly their core message for this album. The group's ability to cross and blur genresBeing their fan relatively new since LY:Her release, I find it very interesting to see how the group's musical sensibility evolves for the past few years. MOTS:7 feels the most intimate, personal yet retrospective. There is a sense of BTS finally accepting all the past and embracing them right, which is exactly their core message for this album. The group's ability to cross and blur genres (as SUGA identified "BTS style") is also what makes them special. While some tracks need few more listens to be fond of, MOTS:7 is ultimately a beautiful tapestry of BTS' seven years of journey, and deserves all the praise. Additionally, their commitment to take interpretation of art crossing different mediums is also commendable, making them an important cultural influence in this ever-evolving global stage.… Expand
  13. Yooooo
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    Este álbum contiene muchos estilos estuve investigando y resulta que cada solo lo escribió el integrante que le correspondía descubrí también que Kim NAMJOON el líder escribió y ayudó a componer casi todas las canciones del álbum Este álbum es simplemente genial me gusta como varía en los géneros es realmente genial
    Lo que mas me interesó es como trataron de unir la música con el arte es    Este álbum contiene muchos estilos estuve investigando y resulta que cada solo lo escribió el integrante que le correspondía descubrí también que Kim NAMJOON el líder escribió y ayudó a componer casi todas las canciones del álbum Este álbum es simplemente genial me gusta como varía en los géneros es realmente genial
    Lo que mas me interesó es como trataron de unir la música con el arte es que es simplemente genial un aplauso para artistas tan completos como lo son bts    … Expand
  14. mytimejungkook
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    The album is wonderful and their songs also BTS always makes good songs as they always deserve more.
  15. Stephanie001200
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is probably among my top 3 most favorite albums out of all their works. What I love the most in the album is the contrast between shadow & light throughout the album. We have songs that address BTS and the hardships they had been through but we also have songs expressing how they manage to overcome these hardships. This album is basically their story including all the pains, sufferings, their darkest moments as well as their triumphants & success. My favorites from the album are Black Swan, Louder Than Bombs, Moon, Inner Child and of course the title track On. Overall, wonderful album & I highly recommend you give their music a chance without initial judgement. You might be surprised in what you will find.… Expand
  16. We_Were_Only_7
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    Esse álbum é simplismente incrível, ele contém músicas que demonstram muito os sentimentos, tocam o coração, e além do mais expressa tudo o que os 7 membros passaram por todos esses anos, e além do mais mostra o apoio, e o amor que todos tem pelos fãs...dá vontade de escutar o dia inteiro!
  17. Promise_
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    Personalmente creo que es el mejor álbum que el grupo sacó hasta ahora. Todas las canciones tienen letras con significados que valen la pena ser leídos, y los ritmos son variados e interesantes. No todos ellos son de mi estilo favorito, pero al final cada canción termina teniendo un significado especial.

    Además de las canciones que siguen el concepto de Persona, Shadow y Ego (temática    Personalmente creo que es el mejor álbum que el grupo sacó hasta ahora. Todas las canciones tienen letras con significados que valen la pena ser leídos, y los ritmos son variados e interesantes. No todos ellos son de mi estilo favorito, pero al final cada canción termina teniendo un significado especial.

    Además de las canciones que siguen el concepto de Persona, Shadow y Ego (temática interesante y muy bien llevada) están otras canciones mucho más personales que creo que se salen del concepto pero siguen estando muy bien. Se nota una mayor participación de todos los miembros en la creación de las canciones, y a través de ellas se pueden conocer mejor los miedos, sentimientos, facetas y, en definitiva, la historia detrás de los artistas.

    Black Swan es posiblemente mi canción grupal favorita del álbum. En el interlude Shadow usaron el autotune excesivo para que se note fácilmente en qué parte de la canción canta el arquetipo de sombra; en Black Swan también, sólo que se usa durante la canción completa. Al principio se me hizo molesto, pero creo que al final es un buen recurso porque le da un sentido la letra. También me gusta que en esta canción varios de los cantantes canten en las mismas partes y no que cada uno tenga su momento para cantar solo (no sé si me explico); creo que juntar y armonizar sus voces con las del otro es una mejor forma de aprovecharlas, incluso con los efectos encima. Además, la letra y la idea en la que se basa es hermosa y creo que vale la pena leerla y escucharla al menos una vez.

    De la misma forma pienso del resto de canciones. Creo que las que más valen la pena, al menos según yo, son Black Swan, Shadow, My Time, UGH!, Louder than bombs y We are bulletprof: the Eternal. No voy a hablar sobre cada una, sólo decir que las 20 canciones del álbum tienen diferentes cosas por las ser resaltadas (letra, melodía, habilidades vocales, historias del artista, etc). Al final, las canciones de BTS no dejan de dejar reflexiones y/o mensajes positivos. Siendo joven, afirmo que la música del grupo crece y madura conforme yo lo voy haciendo. Ellos tocan los tópicos sobre los que uno puede necesitar escuchar, como el amor en sí, el autoestima, la negatividad y aceptación, el autoconocimiento, etc. Y en este álbum sucede lo mismo.

    Otra vez, personalmente, creo que este álbum es fantástico. A muchas personas no les habrá gustado, pero me tomé el tiempo de escucharlo, pensarlo y entenderlo, y creo que al igual que yo, cualquiera podría hacerlo y poder apreciar alguna de todas las cosas que el grupo nos quiso brindar con su trabajo.

    Gracias ;)    … Expand
  18. Gguksgirl
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    I'm totally and completly in love with this album. From now is one of my favorite ever.
  19. Arcoiris
    Feb 25, 2020
    10
    Me encanta trasmite un mensaje bueno y unico todo en el es Arte Pura
  20. sevkeskin
    Feb 26, 2020
    10
    i gotta give this album a full score. this album destroyed my top3 bts albums list which were
    1. HYYH pt.2
    2. LY Tear 3. YNWA this one already grabbed the first spot and it's been 'only' 6 days. This album in particular feels very personal and deep, the solo songs all got me crying like there is no tomorrow, the ot7 tracks black swan, louder than bombs, we are bulletproof: the eternal    i gotta give this album a full score. this album destroyed my top3 bts albums list which were
    1. HYYH pt.2
    2. LY Tear
    3. YNWA
    this one already grabbed the first spot and it's been 'only' 6 days.
    This album in particular feels very personal and deep, the solo songs all got me crying like there is no tomorrow, the ot7 tracks black swan, louder than bombs, we are bulletproof: the eternal and of course the title track ON really showcased bts' diversity pretty well. the subunits... SIGH... absolutely in love with the combos namjoon x yoongi in respect, jimin x tae in friends and of course the old but gold jamais vu by jk x jin x hoseok.

    phenomal album, their best so far.    … Expand
  21. marietrotski
    Feb 26, 2020
    7
    An easy to enjoy, not even boring, and a hype-me-up-doing-my-thing track list.

    I appreciate BTS attempts to join up concepts, genres, instruments, and meta-music (such as diverse and large groups of people involved) in the production. Those are worth-following process. Most of the tracks are greatly polished and meeting market demand, not to mention to be performed at the upcoming    An easy to enjoy, not even boring, and a hype-me-up-doing-my-thing track list.

    I appreciate BTS attempts to join up concepts, genres, instruments, and meta-music (such as diverse and large groups of people involved) in the production. Those are worth-following process. Most of the tracks are greatly polished and meeting market demand, not to mention to be performed at the upcoming stadium concert. However, although I love each beautifully-made tracks, there are at least 2 things bother me about this whole-ness of the album.

    The first is by how the message draws out through the entire album, in which feeling too positivistic. Yes, the message is "to face your shadow and acclaim your individuality". But that one single message is repeated on and on through out the tracks. If only 'Black Swan' and 'Interlude: Shadow' did not have that a glimpse lyrics of "sweet cause-effect promises", they two will serve better as the album's abyss, and work as a contrasting point.

    That brings me to the second thing. I wonder why they chopped the sequence of tracks in a "logical" classification. As a result, it brought me to a clear distinction 1/3 of Persona part, and the rest 2/3 is heavier on the struggle-to-the-shadow narratives -past self and conflicts also shadow too, right?-. If they mix the tracks a bit, putting up Dionysus and Jamai Vu at the second-third part, and maybe we can have that dynamic "cinematic-like experience" of the album.

    However, like I stated above, the tracks are beyond expectation. It is hard to point one favorite. I like their old-school 'Ugh' as big as '00:00'. 'Intro: Persona', 'Interlude: Shadow', and 'Outro: Ego' each have strong character, polishing each individuality of the rap line. To that, V's lyric in 'Inner Child' and Jin's in 'Moon' both tries to possess it, but in my opinion, still not really emerge in terms of musicality. But if we listen to 'Louder than Bombs', 'On', and 'Black Swan', I still hope I can witness for the evolving musicality of vocal-line in the future.

    By the way, somewhere in the past I've comment on BTS aesthetics. Recent Commentary Film provided by Hitman Bang "Dialogue" also dig-up about it, in which brings me back to Bang PD's speech on late 2019 (or early 2020?) award speech, and his interview with TIME magazine (2019). Bang PD highlights BTS's stance on social issues, which arguably, have been the main resource of BTS aesthetic production. We still remember old 'N.O', 'Spring Day', 'Fire', 'Run', etc. In the MOTS:7, if we think about those Bang PD speech, interview, RM and Jin speeches... an ARMY or two can relate 'UGH' and 'Respect' that serves social critique to malicious comments that brought two K-idols tragically pass-away. Yet, international media most probably not aware of that. As a result, most media criticize the album as to more into self-inward. It's OK, it still match with psychological concept at the background, yet, considering how social-issues are one great pillar of mozaic-of-identity of BTS aesthetics, I hope them and BigHit at large would address this significantly, especially since they are desiring Grammy as a bonus.

    On the last note, overall, I enjoy every tracks in this album. Thank you BTS for this easy to enjoy, not even boring, and a track list hype me up doing my thing. I give 7 to the score; RM's lucky number and his desired score, as I believe BTS will keep evolving better and better. Let's see. :)    … Expand
  22. bangtanervous
    Feb 26, 2020
    10
    tudo que esse grupo faz é simplesmente perfeito e a prova está aqui. BTS É ARTISTA
  23. Park_soojin
    Feb 26, 2020
    10
    Wonderful album My favorite songs are On, louder than bombs and My time, is really amazing the way they express themselves in the songs and how they manage to pass this energy on to the fans, I didn't like Kpop but now I really love, them they showed me that song it's not just a cool rhythm it's much more than that, their voices are incredible and it's great to hear, they did me so well iWonderful album My favorite songs are On, louder than bombs and My time, is really amazing the way they express themselves in the songs and how they manage to pass this energy on to the fans, I didn't like Kpop but now I really love, them they showed me that song it's not just a cool rhythm it's much more than that, their voices are incredible and it's great to hear, they did me so well i hope i can repay this with all my love, sorry for my bad english.… Expand
  24. TamiCosta
    Feb 26, 2020
    10
    Um álbum cheio de sentimentos e alma, quem ouvir não vai se arrepender. Cada solo te emociona e as vozes, rap, letra e musicalidade estão impecáveis.
  25. shelling
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    My a huge fan of rap line, but this time, I am the fan of vocal line! All the songs are incredibly beautiful.
  26. sabrinas
    Feb 27, 2020
    10
    As a psychologist student and BTS fan, I'm so happy with this album. They really explored the ideas that are explained in the book "YUNG: Map of the Soul" by Murray Stein in a smart and amazing way while telling their personal stories. It's amazing because this way they're exemplifying in a clear and accessible way some of the most important ideas of psychology, they're teaching whileAs a psychologist student and BTS fan, I'm so happy with this album. They really explored the ideas that are explained in the book "YUNG: Map of the Soul" by Murray Stein in a smart and amazing way while telling their personal stories. It's amazing because this way they're exemplifying in a clear and accessible way some of the most important ideas of psychology, they're teaching while bringing entertainment. This is what makes this album special, while it is best-selling, it has a deep meaning and hard work behind, it is not just music made to sell. They have a big influence, and what they're doing with this influence is amazing. They're bringing just positive impacts, encouraging people to search for art (CONNECT BTS project), search about psychology which is very important nowadays, to love yourself etc. Could not receive less than 10.… Expand
  27. SandraPinheiro
    Feb 27, 2020
    10
    This album and these guys are everywhere. Breaking records left and right. For real. Based on that fact, I thought "Why not listen to their new album?". And, honestly, this was one of my best decisions this year. BTS just embraced the boy-band stereotype that people insist in boxing them in and turned it into art in its purest form. MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 navigates through countless themes:This album and these guys are everywhere. Breaking records left and right. For real. Based on that fact, I thought "Why not listen to their new album?". And, honestly, this was one of my best decisions this year. BTS just embraced the boy-band stereotype that people insist in boxing them in and turned it into art in its purest form. MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 navigates through countless themes: fear, fame, friendship, love, hate and respect — all these are contradictory but somehow the group managed to put them into an emotional, raw and cohesive album. I got butterflies listening to the songs, but when I read the lyrics... I had a breakdown — that's how much it felt close to home. To me, with this album, they did what it needs to be a real and complete musician and artist — connect and thrill people with their own experiences by portraying it in a relatable way. Everyone deserves to listen to this album. Everyone needs to listen to this album. There's only one word that sumns it all up and can describe it: masterpiece.… Expand
  28. sopempathy
    Feb 27, 2020
    10
    kpop perfection ! this album is out of this world, one of the best albums I have had listen in my life
  29. tohkyo
    Feb 29, 2020
    10
    i don't like kpop but that's amazing, i think this is one of the best albums I've ever heard
  30. Andrea_
    Feb 29, 2020
    10
    This is what I've been waiting for. When you think nothing can top the last album, BTS just brings all the shots. Rollercoaster of emotions one moment you are jumping and dancing around the next you are on your bed crying, the message was just so beautiful
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The New York Times
    Mar 4, 2020
    70
    As a whole, the strong but not particularly unruly “7” is less sure-footed than “Love Yourself: Tear,” the group’s last full-length, from 2018, and the first K-pop album to debut atop the Billboard album chart.
    Read full review
  2. Variety
    Feb 27, 2020
    92
    Taut and primal, “MOTS: 7” is a kind of self-referential homage. ... Each get solo turns to shine here, their collective work is what stands out.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Feb 25, 2020
    63
    Persona lacked the natural fluidity and chicness of their best music. Those problems aren’t exactly mitigated here, since most of those songs appear on this album too, but within this new context, they feel like a flashback before the saga continues. Many of the new songs are better about balancing Easter eggs for day-ones with new entry points for more casual listeners.
    Read full review
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