DUAL REVIEW: BTS - THE COMEBACK - LIVE/THE RETURN - A DOCUMENTARY

4/5 (The Comeback)

4/5 (The Return)

Back To Seoul

62 Mins (The Comeback) / 93 Mins (The Return). Starring: RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jung Kook & V. Directors: Hamish Hamilton & Cameron Whitelaw (The Comeback) / Bao Nyguen (The Return). On: Netflix.

Switcheroo. Last week, Flea, candid and compelling, offered moving stories about his late, great guitarist bandmate in the Netflix documentary 'The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel'. The same time RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jung Kook and V of South Korea's very own leading K-Pop act BTS made their long-awaited after their mandatory military service. All for 'Arirang', their highly-anticipated, brilliant, brand-new album, featuring the streaming single 'Swim' and the 'Body To Body' opening dancefloor number. Giving us 'The Comeback' live on Netflix in the same weekend. Much like how fellow boy band phenomenon Harry Styles gave the streaming service 'One Night In Manchester' to coincide with his solo release, 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally'. This New Music Friday, Flea blew the trumpet on his first ever solo album, 'Honora', in honour of the bassist's family. All on the same day we got ready for 'The Return' of BTS again, in their new Netflix documentary film. Don't call it a comeback...that was so last week.

Netflix may have lost out to Paramount when it came to the acquisition of Warner Bros. (thanks a lot, Trump), but look what else they've picked up. Most recently, not only being the only streaming provider to televise this year's World Baseball Classic, they also gave us the MLB opening night between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. But it's the N x BTS deal that may just get an ARMY of new subscribers following. Disney used to be the Kingdom of BTS. From the 'Monuments: Beyond A Star' series detailing their hiatus, alongside the 'Permission To Dance' swan song live in LA, to all the documentaries about the solo work of J-Hope ('J-Hope In The Box') and Suga ('Road To D-Day'). Not to mention the hugely popular 'Are You Sure?!' travel series by Jimin and Jung Kook, which just sky-dived its second season in Switzerland. Yet that was the past and the best to come that was promised. And kept, as we see the future now, live on everybody's favourite streaming service that belongs to their best friend.

Now, what better way to debut their return record than with a homecoming in Seoul, South Korea, like no other...live? How about in the heart of the city, live from Gwanghwamun Square? The iconic temple that feels like a gate to the city featuring brushstrokes of projection mapping, added on to it for the effect at night, similar to what the digitally iconic TeamLab Borderless did to Kanazawa Castle and more, here in Japan. Classic, like the traditional dress of women singing the album title name's folk song as they sway in love, sorrow and endurance. Yet when the silhouettes of the magnificent seven appear on the map of the heart of Seoul, you just know it's on, like one of their biggest hits. Performing powerhouse records like 'Mic Dop', 'Dynamite', and other smooth like 'Butter' numbers, to go along with instant classic choice cuts off the new album. "Swim...swim." All as RM coolly took a seat, like this was a 'Yet To Come' performance, thanks to his going hard in rehearsals leaving him down on one knee, in matrimony with the Boyz II Men ballad seat.

In the engaging 'The Return', a documentary directed by Boa Nguyen ('Live From New York!', 'Be Water', 'The Greatest Night In Pop'), BTS debate whether they are using too long a sample of 'Arirang' in their album lead off track 'Body'. But as they sing, "my beloved/Who leaves me behind and departs/Your feet will tire/Before mine ever do," it's clear to hear that in-yun in 8,000 past lives, these boys would still be together. Most break...not this bulletproof squad. Candour and conviction are matched with a camaraderie that shows even the military couldn't tear apart what was already an army. And when they reunite on a beach, live online for their legions of fans, BTS behind the scenes like when Jimin asked Jung Kook if he was sure, you just know this one is more than just seven strong. Sealed with viral moments and a labour of love and trust of the process in a studio setting in Los Angeles, California. All the way back home across the shore and a live, studio plugged version of 'Swim'. A new lap for a group that has already taken its victory one and is about to run, run, run together again. The return has come all the way back. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'BTS - Monuments: Beyond The Star', 'BTS - Permission To Dance: On Stage - LA', 'Are You Sure?!'

REVIEW: FLEA - HONORA

4/5

Flea's Bag

A Flea has 'A Plea'. To "build a bridge" and "shine a light", as the Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist and trumpet player makes something beautiful on the lead single from his debut album 'Honora', produced by Josh Johnson. "I don't care about your f###ing politics", he declares, running, jumping, and generally, just moving like the Flea that he is in an instantly iconic music video, directed by his own daughter, Clara Balzary. "Now we are all human beings here", he adds in a track that asks "who's your neighbor, who's your friend" to the hate that's all around. This is not 'Acid For The Children', like Michael Balzary's moving memoir, more inspiration for them to see the Californian sun, as the Los Angeles times of the Lakers superfan warns, in purple and gold, "you're scaring the kids, the beautiful kids," with "civil war" echoes in the background. More than just a "little scrap of squiggly crayon on a paper", Flea gives us one of the most innovative and influential songs of the first quarter with the indelible mark, "See the god in everyone/Everyone leaves out no one/And everything besides love is cowardice/You wanna be brave, you wanna be tough?/Peace and love is the toughest, hardest thing you can do/Build a bridge, it's where the courage is." 

Live for peace and love, because it really is all we've got. I bet you never thought BTS and the RHCP would have something in common, aside from an army of fans, but here they are, playing Netflix and Spotify (or wherever you stream your sounds) hot potato. Last New Music Friday, the South Korean pop powerhouse released their 'Arirang' album after years of mandatory military service for their members. All whilst filming 'The Comeback' live for Netflix from Seoul's legendary Gwanghwamun Square. On the same day, the most successful streaming service also gave us the documentary 'The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel', featuring moving accounts from Flea and Anthony Kiedis, the perfect precursor to this week's album from Flea. Not to mention a new BTS documentary, 'The Return', on, you guessed it, Netflix. Flea's album joining the likes of those boys, BLACKPINK, Harry Styles, Labrinth, J. Cole, Jill Scott, Willow, Mumford & Sons, U2, and Bruno Mars, who brought the Chilis out at the Super Bowl, as one of the best albums, and the most compelling, in an already complex calendar.

It's hard to believe it's been four years since the Red Hot Chili Peppers great comeback, with guitarist John Frusciante in tow. One that gave us two albums, 'Love Unlimited' and the 'Return Of The Dream Canteen', in the same year. And this doubling up, from doc to solo set, is definitive, too. Lucky for us, we've had thirteen albums from the Red Hots. Not to mention that many from Frusciante, and also a set of albums under his alias, Trickfinger. Finally, Flea is getting in on the act with an amazing album that is so iconic we can't wait until he blows like Miles again. All the way down to 'Honora's' (named after a loved family member) amazing album artwork, featuring Flea's mother-in-law Shahin Badiyan in sixties Iran with a bird on her shoulder. Sure, we know Flea as one of the best bassists around. Like Este Haim, or Ami Kusakari of Japan's Sakanaction. Known to defy the conventions of looking bored with the bass, as he moves across the stage, like the lines on a song-sheet. But his horn section is incredible too. So much so, this jazz album is even better than Outkast member Andre. 3000's iconic, Grammy grabbing 'New Blue Sun'. We're sure we'll see a Flea at the Blue Note jazz club, here in Tokyo, soon. Better put on a shirt.

All around the world, we're waiting, in concert, for a man who has laboured long enough for his own passion project. He started recording an album back in the mid-90s. He almost had it in '98, but scrapped his plan in order to make 'Californication'. Yet the scar tissue of his best laid plans remained. In 2012, Flea gave us 'Helen Burns', an epic EP, but this is an actual album. One that features Radiohead's Thom Yorke, like you've never heard him before, at the 'Traffic Lights', and the great Nick Cave (on the Western movie ready, 'Wichita Lineman') one week after he remade his 'Peaky Blinders' Red Right Hand theme for the bad seed of 'The Immortal Man' (yep...on Netflix). But it's the 'Morning Cry' precursor of the ten-minute 'Frailed' that might be the cinematic highlight of the set. Although this jazz album's cover of Frank Ocean's 'Thinkin Bout You', and its live performance with a small orchestra on Late Night Will Jimmy Fallon is really turning talking heads. Yet, reuniting with the great master of funk George Clinton, Flea really speaks on 'Maggot Brain' when he urges us to look at what we're doing to a planet that's rotting at the core.

"Mother Earth is pregnant for the third time/Because, ladies and gentlemen/You have knocked her up." Similar to that Andre Benjamin was saying when he said "mother earth is dying, and we continue to f### her to death" as he vibrated higher on 'The Love Below'. This Nonesuch label album wants to put down more for the record, too. And it shows and tells. Featuring all the players. Even some of his Hot Chili friends that have helped him get by with a little help. Inspired by Michael's love for jazz, the 'Golden Wingship' really spread its own, covering the greats like Ann Ronnell ('Willow Weep For Me'), and even taking us back 'Under The Bridge' to classic call and response Chili's with the closer 'Free As I Want To Be'. Like Yorke sings at the traffic stop, "The whole or just a part of it/Call us when you're sick of it/Other people's prejudice/Can you spot the difference?" There's a message to this music for you radio, heads. There's more playing behind the notes in a man who has never stuck to the hymn sheet, or script. Even when he's amazingly acted in everything from 'The Big Lebowski' to 'Boy Erased'. This isn't the first time the Red Hot wild card has taken a left turn. But it's his most personal and profound yet. Bass to trumpet, in your honour, this is the best Flea market. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'A Plea', 'Frailed', 'Thinkin Bout You'.

Spin This: Andre. 3000 - 'New Blue Sun' 

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: THE RISE OF THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - OUR BROTHER HILLEL

4/5

He Was Red Hot

95 Mins. Starring: Anthony Kiedis, Flea & John Frusciante. Director: Ben Feldman. On: Netflix.

Dave Navarro, Josh Klinghoffer, Will Ferrell? California's band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have had more legendary former members than there are Lakers jerseys in the Los Angeles' rafters. Such is the nature of line-up changes in rock music, that feels like a sport in itself, the Grammy museum being just across the road from the purple and gold home in Figueroa. No past member, mind you, save the returning John Frusciante, was more of an iconic influence than late, great guitarist Hillel Slovak. The man that the great Frusciante based his own freaky styles on. He's here, on record, to tell you as such. One of the great guitar Gods we lost tragically in 1988, when he was just 26-years-young.

Next New Music Friday, Flea will finally give you his own solo project, 'Honora', that we just have to honour and trumpet. Set to be an instant classic like its iconic album artwork of record dedication love in black and white. The first RHCP release we've been peppered with since 2022's double-delight return of 'Love Unlimited' and the 'Return Of The Dream Canteen'. And this documentary, 'The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel', directed definitively by Ben Feldman, is the perfect precursor to this. Even though the band's official Instagram confirmed that this doc was actually unofficial, despite testimonials from Anthony Kiedis, Flea and John Frusciante...this was before the great Chad Smith's time to shine on the skins. Streaming on Netflix, for their own big weekend, after hitting a home run with the World Baseball Classic, following their strike-out on the Warner Bros. deal. Giving us not only their long-awaited 'Peaky Blinders' movie, 'The Immortal Man', but 'The Comeback' of South Korean pop juggernaut BTS for 'Arirang'.

Slovak was a sweet, sensitive soul, who was taken far too soon by the influence of drugs. In those LA times he was a rider of the storm, without a shirt, like the murals of the legendary Jim Morrison that open the doors to Venice Beach...wide. Hillel would journal like a beat poet and even scrawl sublime sketches that will remind you of the art of John Lennon...all in his own style, mind you. He had such an inspired impact on others. Especially Anthony and Michael...just wait until you hear the story of how he became "Flea". And why for this rise of the Red Hots is this film the perfect set-up for Balzary's solo set, next week? Because Hillel was the one who told Flea he should pick up a bass and slap it, like Este or Ami. Seeing Flea get emotional will break your heart in an utterly moving and sad story as Kiedis gets candid and compelling, too. Hillel Slovak appeared on four Chili Peppers albums, appearing on one track of the magnificent 'Mother's Milk', and the crosswalk with their sock of c###s out, 'The Abbey Road E.P.', but his memory and impression is still on the strings, punctuating their percussion to this day. The Red Hot Chili Peppers don't rise without their brother. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Devo', 'Keith Richards-Under The Influence', 'Red Hot Chili Peppers: Woodstock '99'.

REVIEW: BTS - ARIRANG

4/5

Back For Love

ARMY, rejoice and stand up, as the military service stands down and discharges. BTS are back in your area, about to cause mass hysteria. Almost a mere month after fellow K-Pop phenomenon BLACKPINK! returned to meet their 'Deadline' with an EP to make you 'GO!' All on the same weekend they will air 'The Comeback' of their 'Arirang' album live on Netflix. Much like the 'One Night In Manchester' Harry Styles and the streaming service gave us to mark his new perfect pop album, 'Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally', a fortnight back. His One Direction were the Backstreet Boys biggest boy band of all-time. That was until BTS became the most fantastic since the fab four of The Beatles. Take that! And now after all members, RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jung Kook and V, have finally completed their mandatory military service for the South Korean army, here's proof that they're back for good...and love. 'Arirang' in Korean being a traditional folk song passed down through generations of longing, separation and resilience. Found in translation to the devotion of a "beloved one." In-Yun, 8,000 past lives.

Let it ring out, as the bells of 'No. 29' toll. This album title's folk roots also serve as a symbol of peace between the north and south. These Bangtan Sonyeondan, "bulletproof boy scouts" already know how to bring the watching world they dominate together, from speaking at the United Nations to ones across the world knowing their big hits, word-for-word, like they were learning Korean. Add the sensational single 'SWIM', on a stunning ship, to the streams, as this sweet song is even sung in English. And guess what her name is, as 'Riverdale' and 'Hustlers' actress Lili Reinhart co-stars? "Swim, swim/Water falling off your skin/Swim, swim/I could spend a lifetime watching you", sung by 'Are You Sure?' Disney + travelogue cohorts Jimin and Jung Kook ("cham, cham, CHAM!"), probably written whilst they were taking in the scenes of Switzerland. Solo sets from all members, most notably RM, J-Hope and Suga, have tided us over during their four-year hiatus. But now they return to a crowded calendar that's already given us Labrinth, friend of Hope, J. Cole, Jill Scott, Willow, Mumford & Sons, U2, Bruno Mars and many more, like Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea going at it on his bass own for next week's trumpet solo.

Play the horns for this one though, because the moment the outstanding opening of 'Body To Body' goes skin-to-skin with your speakers, you know it's back on. Instant repeat. All for an American pop inspired left turn for these chopped and screwed, hardcore 'Hooligan's' calling themselves crazy with Britney Spears shout out respect, no toxicity. These idols brought us back up from a modern-day system of a down, teaching us to love ourselves. Now they return with a much grimier, gutter set, albeit still suited up in trademark garb to go with their new album logo that has already become ARMY member iconic. Sure, you'll miss the smooth sounds of 'Butter' and the hits that exploded on the charts like 'Dynamite'. Maybe the cute, pure pop days left the day they shaved their scalps for another army. The bubblegum has perhaps burst. But they already told us the best was yet to come. And this could be it! It might not be their biggest and best (a new, nuanced 'NORMAL' on their instant hit-making 'Merry Go Round'), but from version '2.0' dialling it up, to the sick sample of 'they don't know 'bout us'', this could be the most compelling and cohesive set that finally garners them the Grammy they should have been granted by now.

All the way grown up, 'Aririang', long-awaited and highly-anticipated, like nothing else, is something else. Something more. More mature. Whether out of this world 'Aliens' or acting 'Like Animals' with feral feeling, these boys who will always be like themselves have become your valentines again, akin to their rose installations in London, Los Angeles, and of course, Seoul. That's all they needed to promote an album that already surpassed four million pre-orders before it even hit shelves and streams. No song snippets of the saccharine 'One More Night', or sincere 'Please', 'FYA' (sublime). No single until 'SWIM' hit shores at the same time. But it barely mattered. The ARMY knew, and in turn we trust this. To follow 'Into The Sun', like Icarus, singing, "Twenty-four, 24/7 feel like twenty-four (Twenty-four)/태양을 향해 뛰어도 (뛰어도), 가까워지진 않아도 (않아도), oh, no/Don't be afraid, 기억해, 그저 잠시뿐인 걸 어두운/밤을 지나/아침이 오는 걸 맞으며 눈을 떠 into the sun" with sugar and hope. And if you miss the anthems, never fear. They're all here until the 'ARMYRANG' last call of dedication. The big hits are back with Hybe hype. The reunion is done. Here is the 30th Korean national treasure. It's time to enlist this. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Body To Body', 'SWIM', 'They Don't Know 'Bout Us'.

Spin This: BTS - 'Proof'

REVIEW: HARRY STYLES - KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY

4/5

Kiss

Disco ain't dead, at least not occasionally, on the brand-new album from Harry Styles, 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally', released this New Music Friday. One that you actually will listen to all the time for its pure pop, popping candy of compelling hits. Four years after we're still recovering from the party at 'Harry's House', 'As It Was', and that lead single we still can't get off our minds or playlists. Ever since the One Direction lead star and occasional actor ('Dunkirk', 'Don't Worry Darling' and a Marvel project in the works(?)) gave us the 'Sign O The Times' of his self-titled debut, we knew there was a 'Fine Line' between this young prince's solo sets and the biggest boy band, bordering between The Beatles and BTS, dripping in 'Watermelon Sugar'. Rest peacefully to his band brother, Liam Payne.

Now, this young Jagger (get that biopic ready) proves, with moves, that he really is a movie star, who can dance his way through an all action set-piece, too, with the amazing 'Aperture' single. Singing, "I've no more tricks up my sleeve/Game called review the player/Time codes and Tokyo scenes/Bad boys, it's complicated/It's complicated" to a Hollywood music video. All as he and super-producer Kid Harpoon play Elton John and Bernie Taupin again. 'Harry's House' garnered him a Grammy. This 'Kiss' may just add another trophy to the family cabinet. Complete with sure-fire singles ready to go, as he bobs and weaves under the disco ball, holding his glasses in the middle of a cold countryside. Album art to go alongside the big, BTS like Netflix debut, and the forthcoming 'Together, Together' tour that really brings them out, like the blingy suits that would do Bowie proud. This album from the great Brit, performing at The Brits, taking cues from Ziggy, and of course, the purple one, for this young star's reign. The outstanding success of One Direction may have led to all of this, and rightfully so, but this new one will have you calling the Timothée Chalamet cheeky chappy of music by his own name.

"We belong together", like Mariah Carey, Styles said, on some promotional posters and billboards in New York, Manchester, Palermo, São Paulo, and Berlin that teased this new project, back in January. And now, Harry follows Labrinth, J. Cole, Jill Scott, WILLOW, Mumford & Sons, U2, Bruno Mars and BLACKPINK, with another album marching in to help 2026 GO! A dozen delightful tracks of 'Pop' pleasure from the setting off single to the 'Carla's Song' closing dedication. There are anthems, like 'American Girls' (for all those who can't get enough...get your hands up), on this Erskine and Columbia record, but when it comes to sweet smelling songwriting, it's 'Coming Up Roses' that will be your late Valentine, as Styles sings, "Just for tonight, let's go hangover chasing/And I'll talk your ear off about why it's safe/As I fumble my words and fall flat on my face through the truth/Just say the word and we'll take up the test/Where we flirt with the bad ones and skip all the rest/But we see out the night with your head on my chest, me and you." Lyrics to go from a man whose work mirrors the circular artwork designs on its YouTube videos. Get ready to turn your screen around, like photo taking frustration, and sing-a-long.

Learning all the words, from 'Ready, Steady, Go!', to the moving 'Dance No More', 'Are You Listening Yet'? Because for all those who still write him off as boy band material (but look at all OD made), you don't know your basic facts (in an "oh, oh, oh", Paul Rudd SNL superfan voice). And you're missing out on some of the best music you'll hear, straight out of London (and in Italian) crossing Abbey Road, in pop's golden era. This is anything but 'Paint By Numbers' with subtle powerhouse tracks like that. With the Kid, Harry harpoons songwriter Tyler Johnson, and even beautiful backing vocals from Wolf Alice's Ellie Roswell and the House Gospel Choir. This "life mantra" inspired by LCD Soundsystem and Stardust's own 'Berlin Trilogy' really gets the 'Taste Back' ("must be lonely out in Paris") after a 22-month tour supporting Styles' last two albums. 'The Waiting Game' telling you it was worth it with words that are wise ("You can romanticise your shortcomings, ignore your agency to stop/Write a ballad with the details, while skimming off the top/A personality, considering you've been a little overhonest lately/And you apologise, a dirty clown"). On 'Season 2 Weight Loss', that has nothing to do with The White Lotus, Harry harmonizes, "Aren't you for sale if you're cashin' in cold?/You've got to sit yourself down sometimes/It's hard to tell when the thoughts are my own/And the old hat gets harder to hold." But with his in his hands, he holds on to a style that is uniquely his own. It's a grand occasion sealed with a kiss. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Aperture', 'American Girls', 'Coming Up Roses'.

Spin This: Harry Styles - 'Harry's House'/