BTS (防弾少年団)、韓国アルバムをリリース。2018年8月発表の韓国リパッケージ・アルバム『LOVE YOURSELF 結‘Answer'』以来、約8ヶ月振り、シリーズとしては約2年6ヶ月振りとなる作品。LOVE YOURSELFシリーズに続く新しいストーリーが描かれている。収録曲はカムバック・トレーラーを通して先行公開されたRMのソロ曲"Intro : Persona"をはじめ、世界的な歌手Halseyがフィーチャリング参加し全世界から注目を浴びたタイトル曲"小さなものたちのための詩(Boy With Luv) feat. Halsey"、"小宇宙(Mikrokosmos)"、"Make It Right"、"HOME"、"Jamais Vu"、"Dionysus"など全7トラックを収録。カバー(4種/ヴァージョン別/150x210mm)、76Pフォトブック(ヴァージョン別/150x210mm)、MINI BOOK 花様年華The Notes(20P/ヴァージョン別/90x127mm)、フォトカード1枚(7種のうちランダム1種/ヴァージョン別/54x86mm)、ポストカード1枚(7種のうちランダム1種/ヴァージョン共通/80x120mm)、フォトフィルム1種(ヴァージョン共通/170x46mm)付き。

発売・販売元 提供資料 （2019/04/09）

NME - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[BTS] explore the idea of artist versus idol, roping in a couple of high-profile cameos -- from Halsey to Ed Sheeran -- to craft a record that sees them continuing to raise the bar." Pitchfork - "'Dionysus' is a moment of existential introspection disguised as a party-starter. The bridge, rapped by Suga in an Auto-Tuned drawl a la Travis Scott, comments on the banality of stardom, as he applies the drinking metaphor to his desire to create lasting art." Rolling Stone - 3 stars out of 5 -- "As always, the group flits through styles, from early Def Jam rap-rock to galloping electro-pop to breathy balladry, and languages, singing in Korean, English and a sprinkle of Spanish..." Clash - "Kicking off the record is 'Intro: Persona', featuring a catchy beat and bandleader RM bringing forth his ability for strong lyricism..." Billboard - "[I]t's the width of their sonic expansion that continues to really impress about their development."

Rovi

Launching a new era, K-pop powerhouse BTS unveiled the first installment of a series, Map of the Soul: Persona, in 2019. Streamlined for the mainstream and instantly accessible, the effort focused mainly on vibrant pop with bursts of rap and some R&B throwbacks, allowing each member a moment to highlight his individual style. Leader RM kicks off the seven-song set with a ferocious solo turn on the spiritual sequel to 2014's "Intro: Skool Luv Affair," "Persona." Referencing Carl Jung's ideas of self and a bevy of Psych 101 topics for fans to pore over, the hungry rapper spits "Who the hell am I?" while delving into the struggle between the darkness within and a manicured outer image. From there, the rest of BTS -- Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook -- join Persona, bringing American singer Halsey along for the shimmering "Boy with Luv." Her vocals add an extra layer of brightness to the track -- without stealing the spotlight -- and it's the group's clearest bid for an international radio hit to date. As on past releases, BTS deftly balance the extroverted and the insular, so while the middle stretch blends joyous pop ("Mikrokosmos") and smooth soul ("HOME"), "Jamais Vu" offers deep introspection as they are forced to "deal with this real world," begging for someone to "please give me a remedy." For fans of the group's more raucous singles, the explosive "Dionysus" is the closest Persona comes to the thrills of tracks such as "IDOL," "Fire," or "Not Today," and it does not disappoint. Although the album is 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. ~ Neil Z. Yeung|

Rovi

Launching a new era, K-pop powerhouse BTS unveiled the first installment of a series, Map of the Soul: Persona, in 2019. Streamlined for the mainstream and instantly accessible, the effort focused mainly on vibrant pop with bursts of rap and some R&B throwbacks, allowing each member a moment to highlight his individual style. Leader RM kicks off the seven-song set with a ferocious solo turn on the spiritual sequel to 2014's "Intro: Skool Luv Affair," "Persona." Referencing Carl Jung's ideas of self and a bevy of Psych 101 topics for fans to pore over, the hungry rapper spits "Who the hell am I?" while delving into the struggle between the darkness within and a manicured outer image. From there, the rest of BTS -- Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook -- join Persona, bringing American singer Halsey along for the shimmering "Boy with Luv." Her vocals add an extra layer of brightness to the track -- without stealing the spotlight -- and it's the group's clearest bid for an international radio hit to date. As on past releases, BTS deftly balance the extroverted and the insular, so while the middle stretch blends joyous pop ("Mikrokosmos") and smooth soul ("HOME"), "Jamais Vu" offers deep introspection as they are forced to "deal with this real world," begging for someone to "please give me a remedy." For fans of the group's more raucous singles, the explosive "Dionysus" is the closest Persona comes to the thrills of tracks such as "IDOL," "Fire," or "Not Today," and it does not disappoint. Although the album is 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. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Rovi