#quickcombo

This was definitely an interesting set to create. Smeraldo Garden Marching Band has such a jovial/upbeat vibe but ya'll know me, I like to craft a little bit of a story with these combos while maintaining the pace of the songs. This combo demonstrates the lifecycle of a stereotypical idol singer. With So 4 More, they start their journey focusing on how much work they're putting in and where it's getting them. (Also don't confuse this track for the slower So 4 More BTS put together for their anniversary - I'm specifically referencing the version of So 4 More on Dark & Wild. Some performances call this song 2nd Grade).

We then move into Go Go with the critical look at how frivolous the lifestyle can be; focusing on fun times only and squandering time.

Smeraldo Garden Marching Band is the catalyst to point us right at the beginning of the cycle as the idol realizes why they are in the industry in the first place: the genuine love of the craft, the process, the people that support them. Just because it's lighthearted doesn't make it any less real.

Ego was one of the first solo BTS songs that I remember falling in love with. I think it perfectly encapsulates Hobi's ability to take a concept and translate it musically. It's such a fun listen but also informs in an interesting way. It's also my favorite of all of J-Hope's solo songs.

Boy Meets Evil was one of the first videos that actually helped me start to appreciate dance in pop culture. Dance was definitely not a huge draw for me at the start of my BTS journey and this video stands out in my memory.

More was such an interesting journey of song in itself. We were all so curious how the solo releases would be handled logistically as well as musically. Absolutely loved the rock elements and seeing Hobi get to transfer his skills outside of the typical soundscape of BTS.

This is the combo that results in terminating the relationship and my personal preference but I'm a sucker for a non-traditional-happy-ending. I spent a good chunk of my 20s helping friends understand and sort out if they'd been 'friendzoned' or alternatively trying not to give friends the impression they were more than friends. So I think that's a big part of why I love this interpretation so much. Those situations usually start out with one person feeling like they're being orbited by the other...and usually results in that person making an ultimatum to either become more or end. The lyrics of 134340 sets this up so perfectly and Let Go is really the only healthy response. I remember taking the coward's path once and trying not to hurt the other's feelings by hoping it just fizzles but it really just causes unnecessary stress for everyone involved by not being honest.

...anyway, this got a little more personal than I usually would here. 😶

Here's the links, happy listening!

Honestly, I think this combo is pretty straightforward. This is the combo that results in continuing the relationship.

As I've mentioned before in another combo, I adore HOME. It's just so heckin cozy. It sets the perfect tone for a friends-to-lovers plot line.

It caps off so nicely with It's Definitely You. I admit, it took me a loooong time to find this song. I'm really not into kdramas and I just didn't feel a reason to look into it because of that but boy this song is so fun!

Like most songs I end up liking, I didn't vibe with D-Day right at first but it didn't actually take me as long as many others do. It's not exactly the kind of music I expected myself to like even 5 years ago but I'm so happy to have it now.

Interlude : Shadow is THE song that sold me on Singer!Yoongi. I still wasn't really vibing with much of the rapline during my journey into BTS but when I found this song, the chorus about not letting him shine is just so absolutely gut-wrenching that I couldn't resist.

I adored Amygdala from first listen, even before I read the lyrics. But I did keep myself from watching the mv for quite some time due to the warning and my own mental headspace at the time. I'd been unexpectedly effected by another mv right before it but in hindsight, I would have been fine. This is the absolute definition of beauty in tragedy for me.