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A to the G to the U to the STD Chapter 2
Edit: I apologize if I had offended anyone with this post without knowing about the controversial sample. I'm heartbroken that such a thing happened to an album by a rapper which I could listen through until the end. Yoongi said that what's good is good, so that means what's bad is bad. I acknowledge that the team could've done better, but I'd like to leave a recommendation of songs that I find are good enough if you are willing to look beyond this point. Thank you.
This album (or mixtape, as the members like to address their solo projects) has been a cool new friend in the last few days since its release. I don't usually look into things deeper than necessary, so when Yoongi himself told us not to expect new releases any time soon, I just rolled with it. Then came the countdowns. As people on Twitter put the hints together, and as he dropped the bomb on D-2 instead of D-day, I thought to myself, "What a cheeky bastard." And I love him for that.
Listening to D-2 reminds me so much of mono. by fellow teammate RM. I was so impressed by mono. upon its release that I checked his prior mixtape afterwards (along with Yoongi's and Hobi's), but found myself enjoying the new releases much better. Thinking backwards, that's generally how I feel with BTS's discography as well. That mostly has something to do with my personal preference of pop/ballad sounds over heavy rap and hip-hop arrangement, but it is also about the differences in messages and overall tone throughout the songs. Their previous releases sound very strong in my ears; as if anger is a dominant emotion if I think about what fuels them, which may just be true given the prejudices and criticism they faced in their early years. Not an issue in itself, but a tad too strong for my taste. D-2 and mono., in contrast, are like smaller flames here to keep you warm for eternity after passing through their brightest burning points. Yoongi and Namjoon can still punch with words whenever they want to, but their second mixtapes are sprinkled with calm realization and quiet resolve (sometimes bordering frustration and depression) in both sounds and lyrics that they actually resound stronger in me as whole.
In D-2, Daechwita (#2) and What do you think? (#3) are still here to slap. Yoongi is still flexing and spitting at everyone who thinks that idol music is at a lower grade than other kinds of music. He doesn't even bother to censor his words in those songs. But what I really love are songs like Moonlight (#1), 28 (#5), People (#7), and Interlude: Set me free (#9) that resonate with me and my life. Wanting to have the chance to choose again, but not knowing if we would really make a different choice second time around; wanting to stay in the happy (and blind) childhood days, but still moving forward as an adult anyway (because there's no other choice); thinking about how the grass on the other side is always greener while fighting to stop that kind of thoughts every day - he is a musician and a popular celebrity, I am an average human and a general practitioner; our worlds can't be more different, but we share the same worries and thoughts. This is how Yoongi and his group comfort me and the rest of the fans. And I love him for that.
As with all their songs, lyrics and context are vital. Take a time to see what they actually say if Korean isn't your native; there are many beautiful fan translations, e.g. Bangtan Subs, wisha's, or doolset's.
This album (or mixtape, as the members like to address their solo projects) has been a cool new friend in the last few days since its release. I don't usually look into things deeper than necessary, so when Yoongi himself told us not to expect new releases any time soon, I just rolled with it. Then came the countdowns. As people on Twitter put the hints together, and as he dropped the bomb on D-2 instead of D-day, I thought to myself, "What a cheeky bastard." And I love him for that.
Listening to D-2 reminds me so much of mono. by fellow teammate RM. I was so impressed by mono. upon its release that I checked his prior mixtape afterwards (along with Yoongi's and Hobi's), but found myself enjoying the new releases much better. Thinking backwards, that's generally how I feel with BTS's discography as well. That mostly has something to do with my personal preference of pop/ballad sounds over heavy rap and hip-hop arrangement, but it is also about the differences in messages and overall tone throughout the songs. Their previous releases sound very strong in my ears; as if anger is a dominant emotion if I think about what fuels them, which may just be true given the prejudices and criticism they faced in their early years. Not an issue in itself, but a tad too strong for my taste. D-2 and mono., in contrast, are like smaller flames here to keep you warm for eternity after passing through their brightest burning points. Yoongi and Namjoon can still punch with words whenever they want to, but their second mixtapes are sprinkled with calm realization and quiet resolve (sometimes bordering frustration and depression) in both sounds and lyrics that they actually resound stronger in me as whole.
In D-2, Daechwita (#2) and What do you think? (#3) are still here to slap. Yoongi is still flexing and spitting at everyone who thinks that idol music is at a lower grade than other kinds of music. He doesn't even bother to censor his words in those songs. But what I really love are songs like Moonlight (#1), 28 (#5), People (#7), and Interlude: Set me free (#9) that resonate with me and my life. Wanting to have the chance to choose again, but not knowing if we would really make a different choice second time around; wanting to stay in the happy (and blind) childhood days, but still moving forward as an adult anyway (because there's no other choice); thinking about how the grass on the other side is always greener while fighting to stop that kind of thoughts every day - he is a musician and a popular celebrity, I am an average human and a general practitioner; our worlds can't be more different, but we share the same worries and thoughts. This is how Yoongi and his group comfort me and the rest of the fans. And I love him for that.
As with all their songs, lyrics and context are vital. Take a time to see what they actually say if Korean isn't your native; there are many beautiful fan translations, e.g. Bangtan Subs, wisha's, or doolset's.
When it’s not there, you wish it is, when it’s there, you wish it’s not.
Who said that humans are the animals of wisdom
To my eyes, it’s obvious that they are the animals of regret.
A special life, an average life, each of them are good in their own way
What’s good is just good.