BTS - ARIRANG
BTS’s Arirang is a carefully crafted piece of work that perfectly balances heritage, identity, and pop into the comeback album of the year. Though this is more than a comeback, it’s a reflection on who they are now by blending personal growth with cultural resonance across every track to deliver one of their most diverse pieces of work yet.
The album opens with ‘Body to Body’, a track that immediately establishes Arirang’s identity. Upbeat and vibrant, it bridges traditional Korean sounds with a modern production. Its closing sample, an updated version of the folk song ‘Arirang’, adds both emotional and sonic depth to it. The track functions as a statement of return, emphasising BTS’s ongoing connection to fans and cultural roots, while also highlighting the album’s central theme that no matter the distance, their voices can bring people together. ‘Hooligan’ is followed by introducing humour and rap-heavy energy. With punchy beats and playful lyrics that showcase the group’s friendship for each other, the repeated line of laughter acts as a signature hook.
The third track, ‘Aliens,’ offers one of the album’s most pointed commentaries. Here, BTS confront being othered as a Korean act on a global stage, asserting authenticity in the face of external scrutiny. The track allows the message to resonate with others around the world while still reinforcing the album’s broader themes of identity, self-assurance, and resilience. ‘2.0’ declares this transformation, positioning BTS as an evolved version of themselves rather than staying in the past. As listeners, we learn that they are here to stay, no matter what genre or form they take. These opening tracks signal that the album isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about the progression of them as artists.
As the emotional centrepiece, the title track ‘Swim’ reflects connection and continuity. Addressing the challenges of separation during military enlistments, it reassures fans that absence does not equal disconnection from them. ‘Swim’ is the start of the transition in this album, linking themes of reconnection to one’s heart, no matter the distance. ‘Merry Go Round’ shifts the tone to introspection, using repetition as a metaphor for being stuck in cycles. In collaboration with Kevin Parker, he helped to produce and add depth to its hypnotic and looping melodies. Lyrically, it explores the routine one can fall into if they’re not careful, and the internal pressure that it can cause, highlighting that growth is rarely a linear path and sometimes can be uncomfortable to change.
‘Normal’ continues the truth-pulling song by pulling back the curtain on life in the spotlight. Kim Seok-jin, in a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon, described the song as “the feeling behind the scenes of all the glamour,” portraying a candid glimpse at fame’s realities. Its stripped-back production allows clarity to dominate, emphasising authenticity amid visibility. ‘Like Animals’ celebrates freedom and instinct, contrasting earlier rigidity. It's dynamic, suggesting that personal growth involves both reflection and release to become real. ‘They Don’t Know Bout Us’ examines the divide between public perception and individual identity. There is a standout line from Jung Ho-seok, “You said we changed? / We feel the same”, articulating the frustration with misconceptions while still reinforcing the album’s recurring theme of understanding one’s authentic self against the external narratives around them.
‘One More Night’ introduces a new tone to the group we haven’t heard much of in the past. With electronic textures and rhythmic experimentation, it serves as a type of stylistic bridge, linking Arirang with a contemporary international pop sound. ‘Please’ is a more mature and contemplative track. Its understated instrumentation and measured delivery emphasise vulnerability, balancing the album’s heavier themes with quiet introspection.
Finally, the album closes with ‘Into the Sun,’ written and produced primarily by Kim Taehyung. As a closer, it perfectly embodies hope, loyalty, and the enduring bonds that BTS share with their fans. Its soaring melodies and warm harmonies capture the album’s emotional closing statements, offering a sense of release and reaffirmation. The lyrics, centred on following loved ones “into the sun”, reinforce connection despite the distance and challenges, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of sincerity and optimism.
Arirang’s sequencing ensures each track contributes to a broader narrative: a journey through identity, struggle, reflection, and liberation. BTS demonstrates both artistic growth and a profound awareness of their cultural impact around the world. The album succeeds not only as a collection of songs but as a cohesive statement that bridges personal experience with shared cultural growth. It is a work that honours the past, embraces the present, and looks confidently toward the future, reaffirming BTS’s place as global artists.
Kierra White
★★★★☆
