Our Favorite Songs From BTS’s New Album, “Arirang”
BTS is back, and they’ve got something to say. After nearly four years, the K-pop superstars have finally made their comeback with the release of their latest studio album, Arirang. To celebrate the occasion, they held a massive comeback performance and mini-concert at Gwanghwamun, the main gate and historic entryway to Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace.
In front of an estimated crowd of 100,000 people and millions more watching the show live via Netflix, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook welcomed a new and long-awaited chapter in their career, celebrating their Korean heritage for a global audience in the process. From the location to their looks (which were designed by Korean designer Songzio), BTS made a statement, and did so while having the kind of fun that fans have admired the group for.
Such is the case when it comes to their new album. It delivers a message of being proud of their roots, as symbolized in No. 29, a transition track that is a recording of the 1,255-year-old Divine Bell of King Seongdeok being tolled once, which has been designated as South Korea’s National Treasure No. 29, while understanding that their audience has changed, as evidenced by the global roster of producers the group brought onboard for the project.
With a rap-heavy first half that moves into a more pop and rock-focused second half, the album sees the group look back on where they’ve been and look forward to what’s next, which is brought into focus with the closing track Into the Sun. And with a global tour and public appearances over this year and the next, there’s a lot more to look forward to from BTS. With that, we list down some of our favorite tracks off Arirang that prove that the group has still got it even after all these years.
RELATED: 5 Ways You Can Prepare for BTS’s Long-Awaited Comeback and Tour
Body to Body – A Strong Opener
The first track on Arirang, the song kicks the album into high gear with its pop-rap beat that makes its presence felt by starting with RM saying, “I need the whole stadium to jump.” It’s a great showcase of the rap and vocal line as it plays on the intimacy of the two bodies close to each other. Notably, the song pays tribute to the historic Korean folk ballad the album is named after by featuring a snippet near the end, highlighting how the album is so much more than just a BTS comeback.
Hooligan – Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha Hooligan
The song gets your attention with its unique production, a mix of rap beats, string arrangements, and the sound of blades and knives clashing and clanging. The highlight here, though, is its catchy chorus, where the rap line gets the chance to flex their charisma and aura. Lyrically, the song speaks to how the group is a “hooligan” in how they do their own things to reach the status where they are now.
FYA – This is Fire
If there’s one thing we learn from this song, it’s that BTS needs to make more songs using a Jersey Club beat. With its upbeat energy and aggresive attitude, the track invites listeners to live their best lives while also spotlighting the group’s experimental side. It’s not something one would expect from a BTS song, but it works so well, and we can already tell this will be a hit when performed live on their tour. And bonus points for the Britney Spears reference in the lyrics.
SWIM – Meaningful but Not Overbearing
Serving as Arirang’s lead single and the first track to ease listeners into the album’s second half, SWIM is mellow, easy on the ears, and gets its point across through its synth-heavy production and introspective lyrics. True to its name, the track is about moving forward as they “swim” through life in doing what they love to do.
Merry Go Round – Breaking the Cycle
The song may be one of the more subdued tracks on the LP in terms of production, but the rock-inspired number still hits. That’s mainly due to the strength of the vocal line, the sentimental lyrics and message of going through the endless cycle of life and wanting to find a way to break the norm, and Tame Impala’s moody beats.
Like Animals – A Haunting Rock Ballad
Arirang is a lot of things, and experimental is one of them. There’s no song on the album that sounds quite like Like Animal with its heavy and forceful anthemic rock-grunge production. But the members make it work and then some by bringing to life this atmospheric and somewhat haunting track about wanting to live passionately over being constrained. In particular, the vocal line shines here with their lyrics, backing vocals, and harmonies.
One More Night – House-Pop Surprise
House music and BTS aren’t things that are normally associated together, but in the third-to-last song on the album, it delivers. This groovy number that combines house and pop has the kind of beat to get you moving as the members sing about wanting to stay in the perfect moment and holding onto that fantasy just for one more night. This has the potential to be a sleeper hit on the album with repeat listens.
Into the Sun – For ARMY
There’s no song on Arirang that captures the album’s spirit of moving forward as much as the LP’s last track, Into the Sun. Beginning with vocoder-like vocals, the track moves into how the group is moving as a collective unit in this new chapter of their lives. When they say “I’ll follow you into the sun,” it’s as much for their fans who have been there since day one as it is for the members themselves as a promise and declaration that they can rely on each other no matter what. The last 50 seconds feel tailor-made for a grand sing-along with ARMY at their shows.
Photo: NETFLIX and BIGHIT MUSIC (via Website)
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Our Favorite Songs From BTS’s New Album, “Arirang”
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