If you've watched any award shows over the past few months, or paid attention to the trending page on YouTube, you might've noticed a band called BTS. The seven-piece band from South Korea is one of the most popular boy bands in the world right now. With the release of their short film/ music video "Euphoria" on Thursday, the band is slated for a comeback any day now.
Here are 21 songs to listen to before then to understand what all the hype is about:
1. "No More Dream."
If you truly want to commit to getting into BTS, start with their debut song "No More Dream." Sure, the music video is a bit cringy now, but the song is still pretty solid and tells young people that it's OK not to stick to the status quo and not follow the dreams others often have for you. Watch the music video here.
2. "Dope."
"Dope" is a fun song that was one of the first to garner BTS international attention and fame all the way back in 2015. This is the perfect song to listen to when you need a little motivation or have had a bad day. 'Cause we can all use a reminder that we're dope. Watch the music video here.
3. "Blood, Sweat, & Tears."
With a visually stunning music video and strong vocals, this is one of the songs that originally drew me to BTS. The main single off their "Wings" album the song is about giving into temptation and its consequences. This song premiered a new, more mature sound for the group while still managing to remain relevant and appeal to their teenage and new adult audience. Watch the music video here.
4. "DNA"
The lead single from their comeback in September "DNA" has since been performed at the American Music Awards, New Year's Rockin' Eve, and was recently certified gold by the RIAA. This fun song and its colorful music video is about destined love and is all around feel good. Watch the music video here.
5. "21st Century Girl."
You probably wouldn't expect a boy band to write a girl-power anthem, but with "21st Century Girl" on the "Wings" album they did exactly that. While the song isn't perfect, it proves not only do they know their audience, but they understand and support them as well. Listen to the song here.
6. "I NEED U."
"I NEED U" was the first BTS song to show great success. Not only is it a wonderful homage to a doomed love, but the music video begins a story that is still relevant to the upcoming comeback. There are even multiple references and callbacks to this video in "Euphoria." Watch the music video here.
7. "Run."
The "Run" music video is next in the sequence continuing the story from "I NEED U," but the song itself is also extremely motivating. It may actually make you want to get up and run. Watch the music video here.
8. "Save Me."
With an aesthetic music video and a dip into experimenting with EDM, "Save Me " is pretty much everything you could ever want in a pop song. A good balance between vocals, rap verses, and dance sequences makes this song a certified bop. Watch the music video here.
9. "N.O."
"N.O." encourages resistance and standing up for yourself. Featuring a dystopian themed music video. Complete with the band resisting their brainwashing education and frankly, just the right amount of eyeliner. Watch the music video here.
10. "Not Today."
"Not Today" is like the older brother of "N.O." with similar themes including resistance, friendship, and perseverance. With (in my opinion) some of the best choreography BTS has to offer, this is the sort of song that motivates like no other. Watch the music video here.
11. "Spring Day"
If you're looking for a softer side, "Spring Day" offers a beautiful song about missing someone that is both bittersweet and hopeful. The music video is also rife with literature references and continues the story cultivated throughout several BTS music videos. Watch the music video here.
12. "Cypher Pt. 3: Killer."
"Cypher" is a song performed solely by the three rappers of the group (Suga, RM, and J-Hope; pictured in the order listed above). A new "Cypher" is typically released with a full-length album. Cypher Pt. 3: Killer from "Dark & Wild" is arguably the best one with a great production and the three rappers each showing off their unique and individual styles. Listen to the song here.
13. "Dimple."
While the rappers get their own solo song, so do the vocalists occasionally. "dimple" from their most recent global album "Love Yourself: Her" allowed the four vocalists (Jin, V, Jungkook, and Jimin) to show off their chops and create a different sound than when the rappers are around. The song is a cute, feel good, and one of my personal favorites. Listen to it here.
14. "Best of Me."
On this collaboration with The Chainsmokers, BTS proved they can take on multiple genres and still keep their unique style. This song holds a special place in my heart as my first BTS song, so I had to put it on the list. Listen to the song here.
15. "Intro: Serendipity."
The intro song for the album "Love Yourself: Her" might be short and is only performed by Jimin, but it showcases Jimin's beautiful vocals and is one of the most stunning BTS music videos. A song about a serendipitous love, it is one of the best songs BTS has written. If you listen to one song from this list, make it this one. Listen to this song here.
16. "Don't Leave Me."
Released Tuesday with the rest of their Japanese album "Face Yourself," "Don't Leave Me" is a song with similar themes to "Save Me," but with subtler production. Using both EDM elements and classical instruments like violins, the song manages to be both a ballad and a song you'll want to dance to. OK, I know I just told you that if you listen to one song listen to "Intro: Serendipity," but I liked. Listen to this one instead. Listen to it here.
17. All the solo songs from the "Wings" album.
OK, I know this is technically cheating, but I couldn't put one of their solo songs and not the others. Mainly because together they tell of the member's individual and collective struggles. The songs each have their music videos that put together form the "Wings Short Film." Start the journey with the first in the series, Jungkook's "Begin."
18. "Outro: Wings."
"Outro: Wings" is the final song on the "You Never Walk Alone" mini album and shows BTS experimenting with genre and the EDM sound. It's upbeat, fun, and an underrated dance song. Listen to it here.
19. "Lost."
Like "Dimple," this song is just the vocalists. A song about being lost and finding yourself, this song resonates with pretty much everyone. Not to mention it allows the vocalists to show off their voices like they don't get to in the typical BTS song. Listen to it here.
20. "Let Go."
Another song released on "Face Yourself" on Tuesday; this is the quintessential break-up song, wrestling with still loving someone and knowing you have to let them go. The song is oddly empowering and if Jungkook's and Jimin's opening vocals don't make you cry, you're listening wrong. Listen to this song here.
21. "Member Mixtapes."
Yes, this is cheating again, but with the release of "Hope World," member J-Hope's mixtape, I felt obligated to put the mixtapes in. "The Holy Trinity" as BTS fans, ARMY, lovingly call the three mixtapes from members RM, Suga, and most recently, J-Hope. Each has it's own style and represents each member's struggles in the entertainment business. Even John Cena has admitted to being a fan of J-Hope's mixtape. All of the mixtapes are available for free on Soundcloud. RM's "RM," Suga's "Agust D," and J-Hope's "Hope World."
With the BTS comeback happening any second now, it is the opportune time to find out why everyone around the world is collectively screaming and are still as unprepared as you are (even if you watched/listened to all the songs on this list) for this comeback.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go back to watching "Euphoria" another hundred times.