Map of the Soul: Persona
by BTS
  • Record Label: Bighit
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2019
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 12, 2019
    95
    It’s the songs themselves that should guarantee the album’s global success. Throughout the mini-album are references to BTS’ past and reflections on their growth as artists and individuals.
  2. Consequence
    Apr 26, 2019
    91
    The EP moves easily through different spheres of young love, young fame and young ambition, all of it audible through coruscating backgrounds and intense vocal deliveries that channel the high-running tensions of technicolor teenage drama.
  3. Variety
    Apr 12, 2019
    90
    The 7-song album is taut musically and thematically (the group is a septet consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook), although things get into murkier territory lyrically. Fans of the group dig deep into the meanings behind the songs.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    Although it's only the first piece of the puzzle, on its own, Map of the Soul: Persona is a fitting celebration for a group at the top of their game.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    At only seven songs, it’s a lot shorter than most sprawling albums put out by their Western counterparts these days, but its concise tracklist leaves no room for filler, no space for even a note to be wasted.
  7. The 405
    Apr 18, 2019
    70
    Map of the Soul: Persona is a bold, if tempered, call to Western media.
  8. Pitchfork
    Apr 15, 2019
    61
    The arrangements on PERSONA are busy and convoluted, and many lyrical highlights are buried in meta, self-referential schlock rock. ... PERSONA is not a failure, but it’s tough to call it a triumph.
  9. Clash Music
    Apr 19, 2019
    60
    A valiant and partly successful attempt from K-pop’s biggest band to move forward in their music. While they undeniably remain a success, the recycled sonics and multiple references to past music makes it hard for old listeners to let go of past glory and for the new to connect with their current music.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Apr 16, 2019
    60
    This is one of BTS’ droopier releases.
  11. The Guardian
    Apr 12, 2019
    60
    It’s all extremely radio-ready and sung with a breathy, close-miked intensity that gives the curious illusion of intimacy even when BTS are belting it out – a smart trick to pull off. Those charged with rapping, meanwhile, are more convincing than your average boyband denizen chancing his arm at the old lyrical flow. Nevertheless, anyone outside of the BTS Army might struggle to grasp what differentiates them from the rest of 2019’s pop landscape.
  12. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 12, 2019
    60
    They’ve formed their own blueprint in which the messages they purvey and the grandiose shows they stage are our main point of interest, but the music, production-wise, falls a little by the wayside when it comes to breaking new ground.

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Most Discussed Album of 2019
71
#71 Most Shared Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 928 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 795 out of 928
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 928
  3. Negative: 109 out of 928
  1. hiddenfiction
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    With the presence of Greek myths and exploitation of psychoanalysis through Jung, BTS shows what is lacking in the pop artists of today:With the presence of Greek myths and exploitation of psychoanalysis through Jung, BTS shows what is lacking in the pop artists of today: identity. A cohesive album, with music gender variability and production, shows why they are one of the biggest groups nowadays.… Full Review »
  2. guinhotwink
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    The album is innovative, impressive and versatile. BTS again showing they can adapt to any style and they are amazing artists. Stop theThe album is innovative, impressive and versatile. BTS again showing they can adapt to any style and they are amazing artists. Stop the xenophobic comments and take the time to get to know their work. They compose and produce their own songs, have initiative and are now having a good publicity. This new era is going to be huge. STREAM MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA… Full Review »
  3. Plurivy
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    Lyrics and their message are fitting with their whole discography, choreo for title track "boy with luv" is very good and fun to watch it is aLyrics and their message are fitting with their whole discography, choreo for title track "boy with luv" is very good and fun to watch it is a very nice summer vibe track, they collaborated with Halsey on title track and Ed Sheeran on "Make It Right", they're exploring new genres again and totally killing it most shocking one is the track "dionysus" for me which is a hiphop/rock track and i LOVED it, they owned their comeback stage at SNL today and got very good comments from non-fans/locals. Overall this album is showing their sincerety, versatility and hardwork- the leader has credits on all songs and other 2 rap line members have 5/7 6/7 credits also. It is heart warming seeing that there are artists like BTS who still cares about putting a complete album instead of just focusing on a potential single and just filling the remaining spots.… Full Review »
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