In the span of just nine years, K-pop septet BTS went from industry upstarts to one of the most popular musical acts on the planet with their record-breaking output, international appeal, and genre-blurring blend of pop anthems, rap cyphers, and heartfelt ballads. Their rapid rise is chronicled on this expertly curated, three-disc anthology Proof. Not just a quick-release "Greatest Hits" cash-in, this versatile set is a gift for fans that functions both as an ideal entry point for casual listeners, and as a deep dive for ...
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In the span of just nine years, K-pop septet BTS went from industry upstarts to one of the most popular musical acts on the planet with their record-breaking output, international appeal, and genre-blurring blend of pop anthems, rap cyphers, and heartfelt ballads. Their rapid rise is chronicled on this expertly curated, three-disc anthology Proof. Not just a quick-release "Greatest Hits" cash-in, this versatile set is a gift for fans that functions both as an ideal entry point for casual listeners, and as a deep dive for ARMY diehards. The group's relationship with their fan base is apparent, especially on the second disc, which is the heart of the Proof experience. Here, each member chose a pair of deep cuts from the catalog for inclusion on the compilation, offering unexpected insight into their individual personalities and genre-leanings, whether that happens to be rap-centric (like RM's "Intro: Persona" and "Stay," SUGA's "Trivia: Seesaw" and the hard-hitting "BTS Cypher Pt. 3: Killer," and j-hope's laid-back hip-hop "Outro: Ego" and "Outro: Her"); pop-focused (like Jin's yearning "Moon" and "Jamais Vu," Jimin's slinky "Filter" and the earnest "Friends," and Jung Kook's shimmering "Euphoria" and "Dimple"), or R&B-influenced (V's "Singularity" and "00:00 (Zero O' Clock)," both showcases for his lush vocal range). For a group that's consistently addressed themes of identity, persona, and self, this is a fascinating peek behind the curtain to see what makes them musically tick. Beyond this segment, the first part of Proof serves as the more traditional "best-of" set. However, instead of slapping every hit onto one playlist, each previously released album and EP is allowed one song representative (that release's lead single, as it were), providing a tighter snapshot of the rapid evolution from their aggressive rap beginnings ("No More Dream," the dubstep-inflected "N.O," "Boy in Luv") through their massive dance anthems ("Fire," "DNA," "IDOL") and into their shimmering global chart-topper period ("Dynamite," "Butter"). Kicking it off, a newly remastered version of 2013's unofficial cut "Born Singer" (which samples J. Cole's "Born Sinner") is a journey back to the start, wherein j-hope, SUGA, and RM spit explicit verses defying critics and doubters who would later witness the group's ascent. Finally, on the "CD-only" third disc, a collection of demos and previously unreleased material joins new ballad "For Youth," a touching, soulful ode that is one of three freshly recorded songs which buffers the compilation. In addition to "For Youth," Proof also includes the bombastic "Run BTS" -- a dizzying standout that features some of their speediest verses and cockiest swaggering -- and the set's lead single "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)," a bright dose of optimism that deftly merges pop sheen with a classic hip-hop beat and melodic sampling. As far as retrospective compilations go, Proof is a shining example of how to do it well, drawing listeners in with the familiar and enriching the experience with a special, personal touch. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi
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