BTS Gives You "Permission to Dance"

Again, BTS has come through with a high energy dance track to energize your summer. “Permission to Dance” is the latest single from BTS, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. While the global pandemic isn’t quite over, “Permission to Dance” is a ray of hope leading us into the enjoyable months ahead. It’ll bring some much needed optimism to your life.

“Permission to Dance” fits right in with the group’s latest releases, “Dynamite” and “Butter”. It has that funky retro vibe they’ve been rolling with, although this one is a bit more subdued than the other two singles. The song is still a fun earworm, but in a more low key way. Think of relaxing beach vibes style. Once you listen, you’ll understand what I mean. Of course this isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it fits with the entire theme of the song.

The song is all about letting go and relaxing. The group sings about keeping your worries away with tons of fun dancing and good vibes. They encourage you to leave the negativity that’s plagued all of us the past year and a half behind; it’s time to give yourself that freedom and fun you deserve. The lyrics are everything you’d want from a summer song. They aren’t too serious and include tons of playful references and wordplay that will get stuck in your head for days. While I do miss the group’s more Korean based songs that gave the rap line more focus, I still found myself enjoying “Permission to Dance” overall.

Coupled with the laid back attitude, the dance moves are a bit more relaxed than the usual BTS choreography. Just after the song was released, the group encouraged fans to also join in on the fun. They released a video showing off some of the “Permission to Dance” moves and issued a challenge to try them out. It’s a fun idea, and a good way to engage as more and more people are getting outside. By the way, those dance moves really are exciting. I'm sure you'll be trying them out yourself.

All of this infectious, positive energy is wrapped up perfectly in the song’s music video. If this video doesn’t make you smile, you must be dead inside. The video is full of light colors, energetic dance moves, and good vibes all around. The group looks happy and healthy, and they share a ton of adorable moments throughout. Not to mention, that cowboy aesthetic is pretty great. In particular I’m always a sucker for J-Hope with that platinum blonde hair. Each member of the septet brings their own unique energy that fans have come to know and love over the years, whether it’s Jimin’s effortless cool style, or Suga’s badass attitude. It’s enjoyable to watch, both as a longtime ARMY of the group, or as someone completely new to their music.

Another happy moment comes with some scenes toward the end. There’s a montage of people taking their masks off, and that alone made me smile. It’s a good feeling to have as we head into the middle of July. We want things to be better. They aren’t exactly there yet, but BTS is bringing the spirit of that hope to the masses with their music. It’s what they’ve always done, and it’s what they’ll continue to do as long as they’re making music.

If you liked “Dynamite” and “Butter”, you’ll definitely enjoy “Permission to Dance”. Let this be your signal to try and forget those worries for a while. We’re getting closer and closer to a time when we can all get together and dance just as BTS did with their backup dancers at the end of the video. Have a watch below if you’re looking for a smile.