Album Review: BTS' Love Yourself: Tear

Love Yourself: Tear felt like a darker,more vulnerable sibling to *Love Yourself: Her*. Where *Her* was about the euphoria of love and the beginning of self-discovery, *Tear* dives into the heartbreak, confusion, and healing that follows when things fall apart.Such an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every second.

1. Intro: Singularity (V)

Right out the gate, i was greeted by V’s soulful voice and an R&B vibe that feels like walking into a dream.

It’s such a perfect way to start an album about heartbreak and self-reflection, because Singularity doesn’t just say, “Hey, here’s my pain.” It’s like, “Hey, I’ve been hiding this pain, and now I don’t even know who I am without it.”

Listening to this felt like staring into a mirror and realizing you don’t recognize the person staring back.

And V’s voice just makes the whole thing even more chilling. It’s so soulful and heavy, like he’s carrying the weight of that broken mask in every note. Beautiful song

2. Fake Love

The anthem of heartbreak and disillusionment. The production, with its trap beats and layered vocals, is so intense it feels like an emotional tidal wave. It’s about realizing the love you thought was real was an illusion—thankfully I don’t relate to that because me and RM? Oh, our love is definitely real. He’s just playing hard to get, obviously.

3. The Truth Untold (feat. Steve Aoki)

I’m still trying to pick my heart up off the floor after listening to this.Like, the moment the first note hit, I already felt a lump in my throat. I think the lyrics are about hiding who you really are from the world, keeping yourself in a box because you feel like if anyone truly saw you, they’d turn away.

They talk about "raising a flower that couldn’t bloom”—and i took this as a metaphor that represents growth or change that feels incomplete or unrecognized. Like someone trying to grow or evolve (bloom), but without the essential part that makes them feel whole or validated (the flower). It’s like they’re doing the work to become better but it’s not being acknowledged.

The thing that really gets me is those vocals!Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook don’t just sing—they pour their emotions into every word. I feel like I’m right there with them.

And the instrumental is so... delicate. It’s almost like the song itself is fragile, like it could break at any moment. It’s as if you’re being asked to share your deepest truths, and you’re terrified of what’s on the other side. I don’t think I’ve heard a song this emotional in a while.

The Truth Untold is a masterpiece, and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after listening to it.

4. 134340

From doolset lyrics;

Pluto (minor planet designation: 134340 Pluto) is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt, a ring of bodies beyond Neptune. It was the first Kuiper belt object to be discovered. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the title, it’s actually the former designation for Pluto before it was reclassified as a “dwarf planet”—and that’s exactly the kind of energy this song brings: the feeling of being cast aside or left behind, but still finding a way to stand out.

I have to admit, at first, I was confused. Like, what does Pluto have to do with relationships or personal struggles? But then, once I really sat with the lyrics, it clicked. The song isn’t just about space or science, it’s about being forgotten or overlooked—Pluto was literally demoted, and it’s kind of like being that person who’s still putting in the work but isn’t getting the recognition they deserve. it's like they’re telling the story of Pluto’s demotion in a way that makes you feel both the loneliness and the defiance. “I’m Pluto, I’m still here, and I’m still doing my thing, even if no one acknowledges me.” That’s how I felt while listening—like, yeah, the world may overlook me sometimes, but I’m still out here doing my best.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting a song about Planet to be so deep. But that’s the genius of BTS,they take something as seemingly random as a planet's reclassification and turn it into an anthem about self-worth and resilience. I’m here for it.

The production is fire. I’m obsessed with the jazzy, almost retro feel of the track. It’s funky, and yet, it has this haunting undertone because, while the beat makes you want to dance, the lyrics are raw and introspective. It’s like you're jamming to this funky tune, but underneath it, there’s a subtle sadness.

It’s like being ghosted or outgrowing people in your life—oddly painful, yet somehow soothing to listen to.

5. Paradise

This one’s a hidden gem. It’s like BTS reached into my brain and wrote a song about everything I needed to hear right now. No exaggeration.

This track is all about letting go of societal pressure and the weight of “having it all figured out.” You know, the whole “you should have your life together by X age” thing? Yeah. They’re basically telling us to chill, live in the moment, and stop stressing over unrealistic goals that are pushed onto us.

It’s about letting go of those pressures and just embracing where you are. As someone who constantly feels pressured to “figure it all out,” this felt like a comforting hug.

The chorus has this feeling of release, like you’ve just let go of all the stress and are now floating above it, basking in the glow of contentment.

The beat is dreamy with a capital D. The way it builds and flows throughout the song makes you feel like you're floating through a chill, sunlit moment. It's got a laid-back groove that doesn’t overwhelm you, but it still pulls you in with its light, ethereal vibe. I swear, it feels like you’re in a soft cloud of sound, just vibing to whatever comes your way.

RM’s flow is so smooth and steady—there’s something comforting about the way he delivers his lines. His tone is deep and confident, he brings this calmness to the track, like a gentle reminder to just breathe and take things slow.

When i tell you I’m obsessed with the way Suga delivers his lines!…his verses are always super memorable to me. The sharp, fast-paced flow does something to me.

His voice has this raw intensity that I just really love. He gets you hyped but also makes you think, and that’s what I love about his style. He always has control over the pace of the song, He knows exactly when to slow down and when to pick up the speed, and he does it with this effortless swag.

There’s something so magnetic about the way he raps—it's not just about the words, it’s the way he carries himself through them. When he slows down, you can feel the weight of every word, but when he speeds it up, it’s like he’s in complete command of the track, flowing with so much confidence that you just have to follow his lead. It’s like he’s telling you exactly how the song should feel, but without forcing it.

He’s got that cool, calm confidence that makes it sound so easy, when we all know it’s far from simple. Every line, every pause, and every shift in rhythm feels intentional—like he’s not just rapping to fill space, but to make you feel exactly what he’s feeling at that moment.

In conclusion, I really enjoy his verses if that wasn’t already obvious lol

6. Love Maze

This track feels like hope. The vocal line and rap line come together to create something that’s both light and deeply reassuring. And the vocals are everything. Jungkook’s voice is as soft as ever, but with that emotional punch. V brings his signature deep tone that makes everything sound so meaningful, and Jin’s vocals just add this tenderness to the track that really tugs at your heartstrings.

Suga and RM’s rap sections are the perfect balance, adding a bit of grit to the otherwise dreamy sound. Suga’s flow feels almost like a grounding force, pulling everything back to reality, while RM adds that bit of calm strength with his lines.

7. Magic Shop

I loved this song!

Magic Shop feels like a warm hug wrapped in a song. Honestly, it’s hard to put into words how comforting this track is, but I’ll try. It’s like BTS took all the worries and fears I’ve had about myself and turned them into something beautiful, something reassuring.

The track opens up with this calm, yet uplifting instrumental that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into this safe, magical space where everything will be okay. There’s this sense of serenity that builds as the song progresses, and I can’t help but get lost in it. It’s like the sound is wrapping itself around you, saying, "Hey, it’s alright. Take a breath. You’re safe here." The entire vibe of the song feels like a safe space to let go of all the weight you’re carrying and just breathe for a moment.

Just what I needed.

8. Airplane Pt. 2

Latin-inspired beats? Yes, please. This song makes me wanna book a flight and sip a margarita while feeling fabulous.

9. Anpanman

This one is chaotic and fun. Plus, it makes me wanna jump around like a 5-year-old hyped up on sugar but it’s not a track I’ll be playing on repeat.

10. So What

Okay, So What is officially my new road trip anthem, its like a shot of adrenaline. J-Hope brings the energy as usual.

I’ve had it on repeat for the past hour.

11. Outro: Tear

Let me just say this is not just a song. It’s an experience. It’s the kind of track that grabs you by the throat and drags you through every raw emotion you’ve been avoiding.

The opening alone sets the tone—it’s dark. and intense. The instrumental feels almost like it’s mourning, with that haunting piano weaving through the beat. You know right away that this isn’t going to be an easy listen, and you’re absolutely not ready for what’s coming.

And then the rap starts. RM comes in first, his voice steady but filled with pain. He sets the stage perfectly, talking about the weight of separation and how it feels like tearing yourself apart. His flow is smooth, but there’s this underlying anger and regret that makes every word hit so much harder.

Then Suga takes over, and I don’t even have the words to describe how powerful his verse is. He doesn’t just rap—he commands. His delivery is sharp, almost cutting, like he’s pouring every ounce of hurt and frustration into each line.

J-Hope’s verse is the perfect closer. He brings this urgency to the song, almost like he’s racing to get the words out before everything falls apart completely. His flow is so dynamic, switching between calm and intense in a way that makes you feel like you’re spiraling.

The production? Insane. The buildup to the chorus is so dramatic, and by the time the beat fully drops, you feel like you’re being pulled into a storm. It’s chaotic and overwhelming, but in the best way. And the way the song ends—just fading out, leaving you with nothing but silence—is so devastating. It’s like ripping off a bandage and finally letting yourself feel all the pain underneath.

Overall Thoughts

*Love Yourself: Tear* is a masterpiece of contrasts—soft and intense, joyful and sorrowful, personal yet universal. Love Yourself: Her shows the highs of love and self-discovery, *Tear* confronts the aftermath when things don’t go as planned. It’s an album that doesn’t just talk about pain—it holds your hand through it and reminds you that healing is possible.

What are your favorite tracks from *Love Yourself: Tear*?