BTS Gets Introspective With First Single “Black Swan”

The musical septet has shared their pre-release single from their upcoming album and a bit of crying is okay.

On January 17, BTS dropped their first pre-release single “Black Swan” ahead of the release of Map of the Soul: 7. The track’s release is accompanied by an art film performed by MN Dance company.

The tone of the film, and by extension the song, is established by a quote by Martha Graham who is revered to be a pioneer in modern dance, “A dancer dies twice—once when they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful.”

Melancholy strings play as BTS continues an introspective look into their careers as set up by “Interlude: Shadow”, MN Dance’s contemporary dancers gracefully illustrate the fear of losing passion for music. The art film hopefully concludes with the main dancer elevated towards the sky by what can be interpreted as shadows, that at this point in their relationship with fame and music, the latter has already steadied itself as an anchor to who they are.

The art film features a more orchestral version of “Black Swan” with the group’s vocals seeming layered on top of each to the point where they are indistinguishable, united even. Accordingly, the studio version of the song differs, the septet tackling a cloud rap sound, a territory unexplored but artfully mastered by the group.

Map of the Soul: 7 is set to come out February 21, however, it is already setting new highs for the South Korean powerhouse, recording a ground-breaking 3.42 million in its first week of preorders. Current promotional plans in preparation for the group’s comeback has seen member SUGA in the spotlight with the release of the “Interlude: Shadow” comeback trailer and the launch of global art initiative CONNECT, BTS. Fans can only anticipate what this era awaits for them.

Thoughts? Remember to drink water, stay moisturised, and to stream for self-care, Bangwools! Yell at us at @ForeverBTScom!

Written by S. Acierda

If you're reading this, remember to drink water. Been around since Jungkook was still a rapper. Yell at me on Twitter @s_vacierda.