Despite just making a comeback with SWIM and their 6th studio album, ARIRANG, last month, BTS is not finished just yet. Just a couple of days ago, they released a music video for their side track Hooligan, the second song from their new album. They also released a music video for the side track 2.0 – a review of that song was just posted before this review.

Hooligan is similar to 2.0 in some ways, but different in other regards. Both tracks are edgy hip-hop/trap tracks. But to me, it sounds like they turned the dial up on the instrumentation in Hooligan. Both the hip-hop influences and trap elements are much more pronounced. The sword sounds add some edge to Hooligan, but I felt they were a bit over the top. There is also a presence of classical strings, which adds to the song’s atmosphere (in a good way). But they also felt underutilised. In my mind, there is something to explore with this combo that may have steered the track differently. The rapping delivery is very impressive, as expected of the BTS rap line (the laughter was super cool and a memorable aspect of the track). I also like how soft the vocal lines go. Definitely some nice contrast throughout Hooligan. The only aspect of Hooligan that I am most unsure about is its lyrics, which felt elementary and uncool amid the rest of the track.

I have nothing but praise for the accompanying music video. The members’ presence in the video was commanding, with each member standing out in their own right through their acting, outfits or looks. There is an epicness to the video that makes it look and feel impressive. From the red lighting to the visual effects, everything felt like it was there for a particular reason, contributing to the overall edgy, cool vibe. For example, I do not know the reasons behind the choices, but SUGA’s solo shot around the midpoint of the video where he stood still, looked ethereal without even trying. The outside choreography scenes remind me of their ON music video, but elevated in a stylish, chic manner, with the red stage, the dancers’ red outfits, and the members’ leather jackets.

The choreography for this one was pretty good. Most of the dancing was performed by the dancers. But the members did contribute to some of the routine and their stage presence, still making this an edgy performance to watch and enjoy.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 7.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.3/10