DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: BTS - MONUMENTS: BEYOND THE STAR

4/5

Monumental. 

8 Episodes. Starring: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V & Jung Kook. On: Disney +.

Beyond the stars themselves, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, BTS are an ARMY. Like the biggest voice of their fans, telling you to 'Love Yourself', in unison with these idols like you don't need permission. Ones that have already been truly monumental. And even in their 'Hiatus', Disney + is following several of their concert films (most recently, 'Permission To Dance-Live In LA') with a new docuseries 'Monuments: Beyond The Star', that they released episode-by-episode over the Christmas and New Year period. Catching up, this intimate and influential last dance is inspired, with hopes that the best is yet to come in the lives of this South Korean K-Pop phenomenon and the most loyal fanbase in perhaps all of entertainment. Movies, sports, the lot. From the ARMY fangirl and boy with love beginnings, to the mandatory military service that many of the members are going to enlist in, it's been a long and winding road for the biggest band since The Beatles. And even now, their one direction's see them on several solo acts, but you know these big hitters will always return home.

Just like the beginning of a brand new 'Spring Day', a personal favourite that plays out over the closing credits of the final episode in these eight wonders taking fans closer than those clappers that were the only way to communicate in concert during COVID. You can feel the devastation, especially in favourites J-Hope and Jimin, moving in perfect time, like they were still dancing, to this imperfect time, when they are given the news that corona has cancelled their concert. They truly love their fans who have been behind them since day one, before the Billboard 100s, American awards and Grammy invites. This Disney doc that maps the path of these souls and their individual personas. The HYBE hype is real, with co-signs to these singers from chairman Bang Si-Hyuk and 'BEYOND THE STORY : 10-YEAR RECORD OF BTS' author Kang Myeongseok. Compelling and captivating, from the 'Danger' debuts, to speaking out at the United Nations. Or attending high-school graduations, or the ceremonial shaving of the head before South Korean military enlistment. This movie show about these showstoppers of music really strikes the deepest chord. Even when quarantined in their lovely, but lonely apartments, or out fishing a million miles away from the world, you'll catch on to the message and its deeper meaning.

There's plenty of celebrity co-signs here, but you know who the biggest stars are. And they shine so bright. Still, one 'Mic Drop' from super DJ Steve Aoki shows just how far they came. Before the pandemic, a double dose of 'Idol' and 'Boy With Luv' took their worldwide fame to a whole new stratosphere. But then what came after they reached out after social distance, behind the mask, really made monuments and moments that reached out and touched everybody. Including the top of the charts. The big-three of 'Dynamite', 'Butter' and 'Permission To Dance' sealed this seven as the greatest group on the globe. And then, it all stopped again. Or at least took a break. What comes up, must come down...but it always comes back up again like bubbles to the boil. Even if they all go their separate ways. RM's 'Indigo', J-Hope's 'Jack In The Box', Suga AKA Agust-D's 'D-Day' (and his and Hope's own respective making of Disney documentaries), Jimin's 'Face', V's 'Layover', a 'Golden' Jung Kook with the 'Dreamers' of his official World Cup anthem, and what's to come with Jin when he returns from service, after dropping the first solo single since the break ('The Astronaut'). Proof that these Bangtan boys have still got it. No matter how many Blackpink and Seventeen supergroups come after them. They paved the road like Psy. What's beyond this, we don't know. All we can do is wish upon a star for more monuments. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'BTS: Permission To Dance-Live In LA', 'Suga: Road To D-Day', 'J-Hope In The Box'. 

REVIEW: GREEN DAY - SAVIORS

4/5

Save The Day. 

We've barely got by the last part of January where it's acceptable to wish people a Happy New Year (we see you Larry David and the last ever season of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', right around the corner), and we're already facing a Green Day. The 'Saviors' are here for one of the first marquee albums of 2024 already following an 'Insano' Kid Cudi last week. And the legendary punk act who are about to go on tour with support from The Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid to celebrate their respective 30th and 20th anniversaries of their legendary and landmark albums 'Dookie' and 'American Idiot' (set to both be performed in their entirety), have been starting the year off right by performing in New York City Subway stations with Jimmy Fallon (and to think we were just there last week). But how many Septembers has it been after we asked to be woken up? Because now Green Day like the Pumpkins, Chilli's and Foo Fighters are considered "Dad rock" pushing 50?! That's crazy. We remember when they were just singing about being stoners and masturbating. Now with their fourteenth(!?) album and their first since 2020s 'Father Of All Motherf#####s' critics are calling 'Saviors' the best album since these Green guys were 'Idiots'.

Spearheaded by a terrific title track as a compelling album cut and four formidable singles, following their 'BBC Sessions' release, the band recorded this Reprise record in London (RAK) and at times even sound like they could have recorded it crossing the zebra to Abbey Road. There's a Sex Pistols feel to the pink and black and white, youthful artwork celebrating burning behind. One taken from the Troubles in Belfast by photographer Chris Steele-Perkins with an altered smile on a young boys face that kind of looks like Billie. 'The American Dream Is Killing Me' Billie Joe Armstrong says in the opening track and single which is their best statement since their last one about a green gunge and grunge American flag, draped in black and white. Hands up for the genius, 'Look Ma, No Brains' follow-up, and the best 'Dilemma' since Kelly Rowland got mad that Nelly wouldn't respond to her Microsoft Excel message. Then there's the 'One Eyed B#####' that really looks into more, promising, "I'm making an offer that you cannot deny/You won't be laughing when I'm making you cry/'Cause, ayy-oh! I hear the pleas get louder/You son of a b####, you're gonna beg and cower/Vendetta is a friend of mine/Revenge is sweeter than wine." Dial V for a Vendetta that's never been better, save Portman and a Guy Fawkes mask. The 'Bobby Sox' of this big-hitting retrain to form knocks it out the park. This album was originally meant to be called '1972' after the year Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool we're born, but the 'Savior' track '1981' reveals even more. Just like 'Living In The' 20s', old sport.

'Goodnight Adeline' and the Cat Stevens rivalling 'Father To A Son' are among the most beautiful work Billie Joe is done since her paid tribute to The Everly Brothers forever ('Foreverly') with the iconic Norah Jones (who is 'Running' with some new 'Visions' coming soon after dominating the last few Christmases). But it's 'Coma City' that will really wake you up in this cold and dry January. Much like the born to run, warm engines that we are revving, already looking forward to a 'Corvette Summer' with the top down. A broken heart of "Will I ever see your face again?/Not just photos from an Instagram/Will you say hello from across the street?/From a place and time we used to meet/Sometimes everything just grows apart/Broken pieces from a busted heart," is applied to 'Suzie Chapsick', before we all admit singing along that 'Strange Days Are Here To Stay' since the pandemic. "Strange days are here to stay/Ever since Bowie died/It hasn't been the same/All the madmen going mental/Grandma's on the fentanyl now/Strange days are here to stay", open the doors to so much more on the same New Music Friday where we get the volume one release of a classic David Bowie live album from the 'Montreux Jazz Festival'. Before the 'Fever' of a bonus track, we also get some 'Fancy Sauce' to drizzle in closing. "Everybody's crazy/Getting stoned and lazy/As we all die young someday/We all die young someday." It's the s### like 'Dookie'. An anthem in these strange days, to save our day and way. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'The American Dream Is Killing Me', '1981', 'Father To A Son'. 

REVIEW: KID CUDI - INSANO

3.5/5

Insano In The Membrane. Insano In The Rage.

If you believe the 'Man On The Moon' could stare at the 'Man In The Mirror', then take a look at this. There's a massive silver statue of Kid Cudi right now making the rounds in Los Angeles. Kind of reminding us of the 'History' Michael Jackson made when his own monolith was pulled around London's River Thames to promote his greatest hits package in the mid 90s. Or, better yet, the massive robot he turned into with piercing eyes in MJ's 'Moonwalker' movie (and you thought a werewolf was thrilling). Following his own Netflix movie ('Entergalactic') and soundtrack, Mr. Rager gives us his latest in 'Insano', delivered by DJ Drama like a Tyler creation. It may sound like Cartmen from 'South Park's' robotic alter-ego, but this awesome album is crazy good...and loaded with features. As we still wait for the ray of Lana like SZA, the first big New Music Friday of 2024 gives us a new album from Cudda, 21 Savage (who has just teased the stranger things of his new biopic 'American Dream' starring Caleb McLaughlin and the 'This Is America' of Donald Glover's Childish Gambino) and The LOX across the pond outfit of D-Block Europe. In ALL-CAPS, this Wicked Awesome record starts the calendar off correct. Don't neglect it like movie studios who drop duds in dry January that otherwise would be box office bombs. This ninth wonder is also the Kid's last album with Republic records, who he's been with since 'The End Of Day'.

Painted in amazing artwork, the visual artist, who's just coming off a TV special award win, is riding around in a 'Porsche Topless' (and not just on his alternative album artwork takes). Getting this party started with that single and the second 'At The Party', bound to keep you moving to the 808 sounds of his heartbroken vocals that feel like their own instrument to this inspired pursuit of happiness. Even after what Drake said, this Kid is still legit. And even without Kanye, Cudi still makes goo...no G.R.E.A.T. music, as others just court controversy. If they weren't enough promotional singles for your Gangster Grillz to get your teeth into, then Cudi also hit the streets in black and red with the menacing 'Most Ain't Dennis', and the mesmerizing letting of 'Ill What I Bleed' as sick as Ne-Yo when he let the one that got away walk. Soon, Scott Mescudi could leave the Kid Cudi alter-ego behind for good, but until then he's giving you "pure superhero music." Assembling more capes for his crusade to marvel at, too. Aside from the Drama ('Often I Have These Dreamz' and more), there's Travis Scott on 'Get Off Me' (getting Savage this week with two guest features). A 'Wow' ASAP Rocky. A 'Too Damn High' Lil Yatchy. XXXTentacion on 'X and Cud'. Young Thug on 'Rager Boyz'. And the great Lil' Wayne delivering a classic on the 'Seven' seal. Not to mention Pharrell Williams himself, 'At The Party' with Travis again. A deluxe edition promises even more guest feature spots, like the anti J. Cole album. 'Keep Bouncin'' like A Tribe Called Quest indeed.

Maraurdering around some real mood music, no Drake diss on Joe Budden, Cudi rides this 'ElectroWaveBaby' in this 'Tale Of A Knight' that is the 'Cud Life', rapping, "Superstar (Yeah), how'd I let you wave? (Wave, wave)/Let it high (High), ain't we on our wave? (On our, on our)/Ask me where, I point the sky, just take me closer, I/Come with me, let's fly, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm." Instrumental again in his musical musings in making his harmonies hallmark sounds. Ones that will 'Getcha Gone' like when Jermaine Dupri told you he had to 'Gotcha Getcha'. 'Mr. Coola' is so cold and the cool glass of Kool-Aid you need in a January that needs a little "yeah" to the start of your year. 'Freshie' is that fresh for your 'Tortured' souls as Mescudi reminds us, "My demons there to haunt me, keepin' focused, s###, it sucks, man/I don't give two f#####s what they say about me, own me (Yeah)/I'ma stay so focused, do my dirt up on my lonely." The pain is never top far away from the pleasure, but joy still comes in the new morning and year. This 'Funky Wizard Smoke' will tote-ally put a spell on you like Pottermore, forever more. All the way to the greeting of Mr. 'Blue Sky' that takes you high like, "The sky is blue, oh finally, been dreamin' of this for a while (Yeah)/The sun is shining, blinding, swimmin' in this place of mine (Let's go)/Help me out, pass that blunt, my guy/We're all on a quest to climb, and we're on our way (Hmm, hmm-hmm)." The chorus and the reign the new victory like MJ as you 'Hit The Street In My Nikes' to walk off with this mic drop moment. Just in rose gold, this man may have walked on the moon three times to complete the trilogy, but he's not wearing out his soul. The giant step comes next. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Porsche Topless', 'ElectroWaveBaby', 'Hit The Streets In My Nikes'.