What Taylor Swift, BTS, and Stromae Can Teach Us About Mental Health
Taylor Swift, BTS, and Stromae are at the frontlines of de-stigmatizing mental health challenges as something so relatable that they can make a hit song about it.
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The Best K-Pop Albums of 2022 So Far
We’re halfway into the year, and there are already many twists and spins in K-pop. Here are the best K-pop albums of 2022 so far.
The Passion According to BTS’ Jeon Jungkook
Passion is a risk in the life of BTS’ Jeon Jungkook and in Clarice Lispector’s 1964 novel The Passion According to G.H.
7 BTS Japanese Tracks You Should Know Beyond ‘BTS, The Best’
BTS’ original Japanese tracks could fill a compilation, even if the curation of BTS, The Best is a good representation of the Korean group as a crossover act.
BTS Own the Brand of Joy Pop Like No Other in “Butter”
BTS’ “Butter” drives on nostalgic funk-pop instrumentals, undeniable positive vibes, catchy and relatively easy lyrics to sing along.
The Metaphysical Dream of BTS’ SUGA aka Min Yoon-gi
In Min Yoon-gi’s (BTS’ SUGA) music there’s a common idea floating of his dreams, even if he hasn’t identified them, or found a way to coexist with them peacefully.
BTS Master the Art of Timeless, Universal Songwriting with ‘BE’
BE is the album in which BTS's sound crosses over to cement the type of legacy they're building – one that started in youth and is very proudly Korean, but that makes sense for any age or place.
BTS’ “Dynamite” Defies the West Much More Than It Bends to It
It's easy to depict the song's all English lyrics and music video tribute to Western pop culture icons as searching for Western validation, but "Dynamite" hints mostly at the type of semiotic disruption that BTS has been notable for.
How BTS Always Leave You Wanting More
K-pop boy band BTS are masterful at creating a separation between their public personas and their private lives. This mythology leaves a void that fans willingly fill.
The 2020 Grammy Awards Didn’t Chase the Dark Clouds Away
In 2019, a spotlight on queer musicians and fast-paced broadcast made the Grammys have some real cultural relevance. Its 2020 edition, clouded by tragedy, scandal, and bloat, only served to remind us why award shows are so problematic.