Map of the Soul: Persona
by BTS
  • Record Label: Bighit
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2019
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
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  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: identity. A cohesive album, with music gender variability and production, shows why they are one of the biggest groups nowadays.
  2. AP_
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    The diversity in this is insane and they manage to pull off every genre. Particularly enjoyed the connections to both Carl Jung's work AND their own discography.
  3. douwannacypher
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    A modern pop masterpiece.
    One of the things that interested me the most when I've first listened to BTS was their ability to go through different music genres like pop, hip-hop, and even rock. And that's exactly what they did with this album.
    I haven't seen and pop album with this versatility in a long time. Most pop artists these days focus in making hit songs and use trending music    A modern pop masterpiece.
    One of the things that interested me the most when I've first listened to BTS was their ability to go through different music genres like pop, hip-hop, and even rock. And that's exactly what they did with this album.
    I haven't seen and pop album with this versatility in a long time. Most pop artists these days focus in making hit songs and use trending music styles but forget about the essence, lyrics and share a message with their fans and the gp.
    BTS does that perfectly with this album. They deliver a powerful message of love and debate about their own history and achievments with sincerity and a open heart and with amazing music productions.
    I am really excited to see more from them and from this new era.    … Expand
  4. bangtartist
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    The album is the most organic of the group, something direct about knowing who you are and what you want. Knowing you need something and knowing you need to put things aside (like pride) to ask for help. The artistic quality is surprising and even if I was not a fan, I would become this album and surely it would be possible to feel safer about it when analyzing the entire discography of the group.
  5. Yey
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    Love this album so much. It's beyond my expectation. Theyre not afraid to try something new.
  6. laui
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    this album is simply marvelous, reveals the best thoughts of the BTS and its affection for the fans, an album full of concept and true plurality.
  7. Kellim
    Apr 16, 2019
    10
    What surprised me the most about this album was the depth of its lyrics, some bordering a sense of melancholy, going along with catchy and happy pop/R&B melodies. Very nice to see artists with such compromise of bringing something new and so experimental.
  8. cammyjoseph
    Apr 16, 2019
    10
    Their just keeps getting better. The very interesting addition of Greek mythology and Jungianism makes the album and its lyrics much more fascinating.
    The marriage of rap and vocals continue to impress the listener.
  9. foyya
    Feb 22, 2020
    10
    This album marks the start of their map of the soul series which takes inspiration from the psychological ideas of Carl Jung. The EP explores layered identities throughout seven amazing tracks.
  10. Ginaxhrist
    Apr 23, 2019
    10
    This album is honestly amazing. It may have slipped under the radar for some, but I am so glad I got to experience it. It has a feature from an artist whom I don’t particularly care for, and stilll was amazing. This group is doing such a great job paving the way!
  11. AlejandraGrace
    Jun 9, 2019
    10
    The band BTS conformed by 7 members, they return with their new album PERSONA, which is fresh rhythms, with a new perspective in the music, combined with 7 melodious voices, a mixture of rap with vocal makes each song attractive, since the intro where he has rap with strength and clean, from the outro with cold rhythms, making it pleasant for listeners, HOME is the best songs within theThe band BTS conformed by 7 members, they return with their new album PERSONA, which is fresh rhythms, with a new perspective in the music, combined with 7 melodious voices, a mixture of rap with vocal makes each song attractive, since the intro where he has rap with strength and clean, from the outro with cold rhythms, making it pleasant for listeners, HOME is the best songs within the album, the lyrics, their meaning, the vocal and rap are the best. Definitely PERSONA is one of the best albums so far in 2019… Expand
  12. Flawlessasurnot
    Apr 30, 2019
    7
    BTS' body of work has a psychological and self-care meaning. The production has occidental influence, for example in Mikrokosmos and HOME can be identified the One Direction and Bruno Mars "style" respectively. The lyrics are well structured, except Dionysus, in which has demonstrated how forced and stiff an outro song can be. 69/100
  13. hobi
    Jul 23, 2019
    8
    A great mini album, MOTS:PERSONA It gives you emotion, euphoria and reflection. The most amazing song for me is Dionysius, where they deliver a vibe inspired by Japanese rock, I can't explain. Just know I loved it!
  14. gabrielcipriano
    Apr 25, 2019
    10
    BTS did something surprising, even with the same style as always, it came to be something unprecedented and as always did not disappoint. Really they are dominating in this mini album, it does not have an aspect that can confuse or speak that has something to improve.
  15. jaejaeyah
    Feb 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. ÁLBUM MARAVILHOSO, super delicado, o instrumental super comovente, make it right me fez chorar horrores, mikrokosmos é sensacional, dionysus deu um diferencial enorme, todas as músicas do álbum foram perfeitamente planejadas para ser um sucesso enorme, BTS não cansa de nos surpreender.… Expand
  16. PastaCakez
    Feb 22, 2020
    10
    Underated! This album is golden and deserves more praise, Persona is one of their best intros, Boy with luv dominated the world last year and every b side needs more attention for being just Amazing!
  17. Fanny7s
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Álbum impecável, com solos inesquecíveis
    BTS como sempre nunca desaponta, reis
  18. Mumi
    Oct 5, 2020
    10
    Great beats Jamais vu and Make It Right are
  19. 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 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 andLyrics 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.… Expand
  20. maetera
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    I would normally give a detailed review for albums, particularly ones that touched my heart, but putting the experience into words and confining it to a paragraph here would not do this album justice. Reason? My connection to MOTS:Persona is at a level where words stop being an accurate medium of expression. Corny and pretentious as it may sound, I would scream from the rooftops if I couldI would normally give a detailed review for albums, particularly ones that touched my heart, but putting the experience into words and confining it to a paragraph here would not do this album justice. Reason? My connection to MOTS:Persona is at a level where words stop being an accurate medium of expression. Corny and pretentious as it may sound, I would scream from the rooftops if I could about how much JOY this album brings to me at a time when I need this lift the most. The lyrics and melodies of Persona read like a personal letter from BTS to their fans, a letter that asks us how we are doing as it reminisces our shared journey through some of the toughest roadways. Definitely my favourite BTS album seeing as how each new replay seems like the first one and is just as delightful as the previous round. Boy With Luv is the perfect title track for this season and brings me so much childlike-joy - something that's hard to come by these days. Great job Bangtan! They are incapable of producing mediocre albums. They just don't have it in them because their stories and artistry come together in unparalleled ways to produce pieces that touch so many.… Expand
  21. Marianiceli
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    A very expansive album with good lyrics and catchy melodies. A mix of pop genres, hip-hop and R&B that touches you from the beginning until the very end. The kind of album that makes you enjoy every second of it and brings you happiness.
  22. llvlyrita
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    Another wonderful addition to their incredible discography. Map of the Soul: Persona is such a diverse album, with a variety of genres and throwbacks to their earlier works, while keeping it, as always, interesting. The album is filled with references to Jung's map of the soul theory, as evidenced on the title, to Greek mythology and with spectacular lyricism; they have, once again, provedAnother wonderful addition to their incredible discography. Map of the Soul: Persona is such a diverse album, with a variety of genres and throwbacks to their earlier works, while keeping it, as always, interesting. The album is filled with references to Jung's map of the soul theory, as evidenced on the title, to Greek mythology and with spectacular lyricism; they have, once again, proved they are real artists with a passion for music.… Expand
  23. matthewmirliani
    Apr 14, 2019
    8
    Once again, BTS delivers a master class on how to make state-of-the-art pop music. Even at its less-engaging moments, the album sets a lofty standard for the rest of the pop industry - challenging all others to keep up. If a Renaissance in pop music is happening, they’re at the forefront of it.
  24. 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 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
  25. NourAfifi
    Apr 12, 2019
    9
    An interesting take on the Jungian theory that inspired it. Their most mature sound to date when it come to melodies and composition. They also were not afraid to experiment as seen in Dionysus a track inspired by Seo Taiji's music.
  26. serendiakth
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    Their album follows their story, and it's really consistent. Looking at the lyrics, the whole thing SEEMS like songs for a lover, but it really isn't - there's a shadow about loneliness, life in general, expectations and what we must conceal in order to keep a good appearance.

    There's also a song for the fans which is great itself, but even greater because they point out they're the    Their album follows their story, and it's really consistent. Looking at the lyrics, the whole thing SEEMS like songs for a lover, but it really isn't - there's a shadow about loneliness, life in general, expectations and what we must conceal in order to keep a good appearance.

    There's also a song for the fans which is great itself, but even greater because they point out they're the ones who need the fans, who find comfort in them, and not the other way around. That's pretty cool.

    Also BTS keeps switching sounds and travelling through different music styles, respect!    … Expand
  27. dulcek
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    I wasn't sure what to expect with this album, especially when it's the start of a new era. I respect their artistry and the fact that they continue to push boundaries when it comes to their own music, be it the lyrics, musical style, or the way it's presented to listeners.

    There's a good mix of different songs here, and never did they stray from their roots. I appreciate and love that    I wasn't sure what to expect with this album, especially when it's the start of a new era. I respect their artistry and the fact that they continue to push boundaries when it comes to their own music, be it the lyrics, musical style, or the way it's presented to listeners.

    There's a good mix of different songs here, and never did they stray from their roots. I appreciate and love that their songs have meaning and it comes from a place of truth, which a lot of mainstream music lacks these days. Hopefully, others will listen without prejudice and an open mind; like Namjoon (leader of BTS) said, music transcends all languages.    … Expand
  28. Tveevers98
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    This is by far one of BTS's best albums in their career. And the statement is very realistic. Each song has its own way to make any person be engaged. No matter what genre, this eclipse Love Yourself: Tear, and is up their with Wings, as well as the other HYYH albums. The worst rating this album could realistically get is an 8. Anything under than that is pretty laughable to say the least.This is by far one of BTS's best albums in their career. And the statement is very realistic. Each song has its own way to make any person be engaged. No matter what genre, this eclipse Love Yourself: Tear, and is up their with Wings, as well as the other HYYH albums. The worst rating this album could realistically get is an 8. Anything under than that is pretty laughable to say the least. Remember, don't critic the music to YOUR taste. Be engaged with the music, find that entry to the music, regardless of the genre/style. It's a problem that people have when criticizing songs. I also want to say that the choruses are the tipping point. If the choruses doesn't have its charm to make someone engaged, then the song needs improvement. Each song on this album actually has its own way to draw in a listener. There's a simple method to enjoy music as music. Expect BTS to grow on their music overtime, as this is just the intro. And a very impressive intro at that… Expand
  29. crza
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    Just mind-blowing. This album is the beginning for a new and beautiful journey in the BU (Bangtan Universe). It is really great to see a boygroup that, despite being the biggest boygroup in the world right now, didn't lose it's personality and essence. Map of the Soul: Persona shows how talented, hard-working and passionate (for their music) BTS is.
  30. Kikakaoki
    Apr 13, 2019
    10
    I don't understand how they manage to make even better albums each time. They surprise me every time. I was totally shocked by Boy With Luv. This is the first time when the title track is actually my favourite song on BTS album
    Overall such an organic and healing piece of art. Love it.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. The 405
    Apr 18, 2019
    70
    Map of the Soul: Persona is a bold, if tempered, call to Western media.
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