Zen Playlist: BTS Edition (as told by "Picture It" scenarios)

We all have our own respective methods we use to try to relax.

Some choose to bake, others binge The Office for the millionth time and many, like myself, take a long drive when it's pouring rain while listening to their favourite moody tracks. There are countless ambiance videos readily available on YouTube all dedicated to "X hours of Driving in the Rain when it's night time and you're a child asleep in the back seat of the car." I personally have gone through about 200 of them with a few dozen more patiently waiting in my Watch Later tab.

I also adore listening to BTS during my bouts of contemplation and would like to highlight 23 of their songs for anyone looking for some serene Bangtan tunes.

I've separated the tracks into three main concepts, however do not fret about interchanging them; if you prefer blasting "Make It Right" during a rainstorm, I happily dispatch all my power to you for this wise decision.

Any of these songs would also make for a fantastic addition to your Zen Playlist so let's go ahead and check them out!

for those who crave: a soothing relaxation moment...

There is no better feeling in the world than slipping into your comfy PJs following an exhaustive day and relaxing on your favourite recliner as Jimin's angelic vocals fill your room.

Picture it: you're on that recliner wearing a fluffy sweater with a steaming pot of tea resting on your tableside when BTS' Japanese singles "Lights" and "Stay Gold" play in succession on the Bluetooth speaker. You close your eyes as you quietly recite "you're my liiight" followed by "stay goooold" and you feel all your worries melt away as Jimin and Jungkook harmonize during the end of the latter.

Just then, Jimin's deliciously tranquil solo track "Serendipity" plays and your eyes open wide as you stare at the slice of chocolate cake you were eagerly awaiting the entire day to consume while crying out "just let me looooooove youuuuuu" as you take a well-deserved bite.

"Serendipity" concludes as you wipe the remains of its fudgy goodness from your lips and the opening chords of Jungkook's "Euphoria" begins. You lay back and relish in the Golden Maknae's elegant vocals. You attempt the iconic final high note and fail horrendously but that's okay... You have already transported into a state of pure euphoria (that's right, I said it!) where nothing can faze you.

"Magic Shop" and "Make It Right" along with two songs from the early years of BTS, "Like" and "Just One Day", round out the relaxation as you decide it's time to get off the recliner and move over to the couch...

That is until their otherworldly masterpiece "Mikrokosmos" begins and you slink all the way back into your beloved chair envisioning all the ARMY Bombs swaying in the distance as the Boys sing "shiiiine, dream, smiiile" to a stadium of thousands upon thousands of devoted ARMYs.

The song ends and you make that two step journey to your trusty sectional, having now become a completely mellowed out version of the person who initially stepped into the room.

for those who crave: a dramatic drive in the rain...

As I mentioned, dramatically driving in the rain remains my favourite pastime and method to calm my nerves. I've bestowed the honour of self-appointed expert in this initiative so I've collected a handful of songs I consistently listen to as droplets strike my windshield.

Picture it: the key is in the ignition as you fire up your beat down blue Honda Civic you swore you'd fix up back when you were able to be in the same room as the mechanic. Vehicular indiscretions aside, it is after sunset and pouring out there meaning it's the perfect opportunity to head out and reflectively drive around the city.

"House of Cards" is the first to play during your excursion and its inclusion of subtle drizzling sounds featured throughout the beginning sets the mood immediately. The windshield wipers rapidly toss aside any obstructing rainfall views as the pounding drums from the song migrate to "Hold Me Tight" where you cry out "can you trust me? Can you trust me?" to your unsuspecting car vent.

We slow it down for the next few tracks with the tender "Blue & Grey" and Jin's sentimental solo "Awake" which allows for some prime dramatic belting of "Maybe I, I... can’t... touch the skyyyyyy!" V's "Stigma" and "Intro: Singularity" follow as every note released from his flawless baritone voice syncs perfectly with the pattering of rain.

The group's numerical tracks of brilliance, "134340" and "2! 3!", rounds out the drive. As you approach your neighbourhood, the melodic SUGA solo track "Trivia 轉: Seesaw" begins which offers a poignant return to your humble abode. You pull into your driveway as he recites the final notes of the song and feel as though you have just concluded an Academy Award-level performance as a coming-of-age protagonist.

for those who crave: a moment of reflection...

BTS' vast discography truly contains any kind of genre you'd be interested in. A specific aspect of their music I will perpetually be appreciative of is their reflective take on various themes featured throughout their 8 year career. Whether it be exploring the importance of loving yourself or an artist's fear of losing their passion, BTS has never restricted themselves on the kind of messages they wish to broadcast into the cosmos.

Picture it: you are in a funk and want to spend the next few minutes in a contemplative trance. You think back to the moment where The Grinch pleads to his trusty canine, Max: "help me... I'm... FEELING!" and want to experience a similar sensation.

These five songs fiercely slap you in the face with palpable intensity and inspire listeners to examine the ideas present within them.

There is a reason why their 2017 hit "Spring Day" remains one of the septet's most beloved tracks: it grabs ahold of every possible emotion found within resulting in the listener becoming a slobbering mess by the song's concluding notes. It explores the idea of grief and longing while most notably serving as an implicit reminder of the Sewol Ferry disaster in 2014 which saw "a poorly inspected, overloaded ferry [topple] in a sharp right turn" resulting in the deaths of 250 high school students who tragically drowned after "[obeying] orders to stay in their cabins as the boat was going down." Every component of "Spring Day" encourages the listener to reflect on how they grieve and what it means to desire something you no longer can have.

Their ruminative opus "Black Swan" was the debut release off last year's album Map of the Soul: 7 and offers an intense reflection on what it means to potentially lose your purpose; in BTS' case, the fear of losing the desire for their music. Discovering your purpose is an undertaking many strive to achieve yet once you've succeeded and that purpose you once strove for no longer motivates you, is that not a fate worse than death?

Troye Sivan collaborated with BTS on their track "Louder than bombs" which serves as a promise to ARMY that they will "endlessly sing towards" them; they want their devoted fans to continue telling their respective stories whether it be happy or sorrowful. It is encouraging listening to the trepidation explored in "Black Swan" as being a fear that is entirely valid to have by following it up with "Louder than bombs" which reassures the listener they can overcome any obstacles impeding their way.

I'd like to conclude this section with two gentler additions that further work to uplift its listener with pure, unconditional support. The group's Vocal Line - consisting of Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook - are the embodiment of "solace" in the single "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)." The song highlights the natural harmonious capabilities present within these four as they detail the frustration felt after suffering through a difficult day and reflect on the struggles of the past. They continue their reassurance expressed in "Louder than bombs" by motivating those to hold on for when the clock hits midnight and it is the official beginning of a new day; allowing for a fresh start where you can hopefully "be happy."

We bid farewell to the emotively reflective tracks with "Answer: Love Myself." Throughout BTS' career, they've consistently emphasized the idea of self-love and preaching the importance of loving yourself first and foremost. "Answer: Love Myself" strives to be a consoling voice for those who believe they are not enough. It illustrates just how destructive these inner conflicts are and emboldens the listener to learn how to love themselves.

Just how significant these tracks will feel for you will certainly vary because we are all unique creatures with our own thoughts and respective triggers. When referring to myself and the connection I feel to their music, virtually every BTS single resonates with me in some way or another... To which I am incredibly grateful I have them as an outlet to calm whatever doubts or shadows that creep into my psyche.

Side note: I pose a challenge for anyone unfamiliar with BTS' work to try not feeling an overwhelming urge to blurt out "bogoshipda!" at least once during a listen to "Spring Day."

(... Spoiler: it's basically impossible not to and you know what? It's completely fine to admit defeat).

Regardless how you find your inner Zen, I hope you consider including a BTS track in your playlist that helps in soothing any of your stresses... If all else fails, blast their Grammy-nominated track "Dynamite" while scarfing down on an unhealthy cheesecake because you deserve it, damn it!

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Thank you for reading! Let me know your meditative melodies of choice over on Twitter where you can follow me and my various ramblings.

I've also previously written two "BTS Edition" playlists including a Workout Playlist and Quarantine Playlist you can check out below.

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