BTS is back, and they’re ready to take over the world again with their latest album Arirang. Members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook performed together for the first time in almost four years, debuting the album and their world tour at the historic “King’s Road,” a ceremonial path through Gyeongbokgung Palace traditionally reserved for kings during the Joseon Dynasty. RM opened the concert by saying, “Annyeonghaseyo, we are back,” before the group ran through new tracks and their greatest hits such as “Butter” and “Dynamite.”
Named after a traditional Korean folk song, “Arirang” conveys a deep cultural significance, often performed at global events such as the Olympics. The recording process also brought in unlikely collaborators, from Baltimore experimental producer JPEGMAFIA to electronic dance mainstay Diplo, who serves as executive producer. The lineup signals a band willing to stretch its sound while keeping its chemistry. With the scale of anticipation surrounding Arirang, the question remains: does it live up to the moment? Here’s a ranking of the tracks, from the most casually effective to the most fully realized within the album’s themes.
14. ‘No. 29’
Known among fans as a palette cleanser, “No. 29” uses silence and the toll of the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (South Korea’s National Treasure No. 29) as a meditative pause. Positioned mid-album, it bridges the project’s high-energy first half and its more melodic stretch, grounding the record in cultural reference.
13. ‘they don’t know ‘bout us’
A return-to-roots moment, the track maximizes on V and Jung Kook’s vocals to reaffirm the group’s internal bond. Jimin’s chorus lifts the song, though its placement later in the album makes it feel overshadowed, especially with familiar trap production that doesn’t push far enough.
12. ‘Like Animals’
Driven by a loud, anthemic snare, this is BTS at their most forceful as a unit. The back-and-forth between j-hope, V, and Jimin keeps the energy moving, but the track’s straightforward approach makes it less distinct within an otherwise sonically varied album.
11. ‘Merry Go Round’
Jung Kook and Jimin’s falsetto immediately draws attention, paired with crunchy drum production and tight harmonies. RM and j-hope deliver verses in their comfort zone, but the track settles into familiar territory and doesn’t fully develop beyond its core ideas.
10. ‘Aliens’
Framed as a declaration of identity, SUGA introduces the group as “7 different aliens” navigating global fame. While the concept is clear, the track doubles down into bravado than deeper reflection, even with its strong production details.
9. ‘NORMAL’
The group reflects on fame and its contradictions, weighing excess against vulnerability. The buzzing synths and delayed drums give the track a more grounded, human feel, even as each member approaches the theme from a different angle.
8. ‘2.0’
Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, “2.0” marks a transition point in the album. It signals a slowdown from the record’s initial intensity as it shifts toward a more introspective second half. The rap verses sustains the group’s fervor of feeling “brand new” in every release.
7. ‘One More Night’
A sensual 2-step music inspired track, “One More Night” builds on layered harmonies and understated production. The group relishes into intimacy here, with the song growing stronger on repeat listens.
6. ‘Hooligan’
Opening with sharp, fragmented production from Fakeguido and El Guincho, “Hooligan” shows the group adapting quickly to a more experimental palette with clanging knives and explosive rage beat patterns. Jung Kook’s lines cut through the track’s restless energy, pushing BTS into less familiar territory.
5. ‘Please’
A return to their R&B sensibilities, “Please” highlights Jin’s vocal delivery alongside RM’s lower register. The track centers on longing, pairing classic production with a direct emotional pull that immediately puts BTS as one of the sexiest groups alive.
4. ‘Body to Body’
Driven by chemistry and performance, the track plays with the intimacy of the two bodies close to each other. j-hope, V, and Jimin carry the song through dynamic vocal moments, while the production gradually builds underneath, reinforcing its theme of closeness and desire.
3. ‘Into the Sun’
Closing the album, “Into the Sun” brings the group together in layered, vocoder-like harmonies that blur individual voices into one of their arena-ready choruses. It serves as a strong statement on unity, emphasizing the collective over the individual identity.
2. ‘FYA’
With JPEGMAFIA’s chaotic production at the center, “FYA” captures the group at its most aggressive with car crash sound effects and explosions, “FYA” is intense without losing structure, showing how BTS balances experimentation with strong pop writing.
1. ‘Swim’
Despite the lackluster music video, the song shows what makes BTS stronger as a unit. “Nights like these, I wanna get lost” lands as more than a line about romance. With all members joining in on “I just wanna dive,” the track builds into a shared moment of their brotherhood. The imagery of water becomes a way to frame endurance and trust, with each member moving through it together. “Swim” ties directly into the album’s core themes of togetherness and longing, making it the strongest track on Arirang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naming the album after “Arirang,” South Korea’s iconic traditional folk song, roots BTS’s comeback in Korean heritage. The title symbolizes endurance, longing, and cultural identity, connecting their global pop dominance to national pride following their four-year military hiatus.
Arirang features executive production by electronic producer Diplo alongside experimental hip-hop artist JPEGMAFIA. The project also includes production contributions from Mike WiLL Made-It, El Guincho, Fakeguido, Tyler Spry, and longtime HYBE collaborator Pdogg.
“Swim” stands out as the album’s lead single and focal point, utilizing water imagery to explore themes of perseverance, trust, and brotherhood. Its vocal unity and emotive lyrics by RM make it the record’s most thematic synthesis.
BTS launched their comeback along the historic “King’s Road” at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, a ceremonial path traditionally reserved for Joseon Dynasty monarchs. The event marked their first full-group live performance in nearly four years.
Arirang expands BTS’s sonic palette by blending traditional Korean instruments like the Divine Bell with avant-garde electronic, 2-step, trap, and rage production. It balances aggressive experimental tracks with mature R&B and vocal-driven pop anthems.
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