BTS is a K-pop group that debuted in 2013 with their album “2 Cool 4 Skool” under Big Hit Entertainment now known as HYBE. They took the world by storm with their album “Love Yourself: Tear” released May 2018 which is the first K-pop album to top US charts and they’ve been globally recognized ever since.
After almost a four year hiatus due to mandatory military service, BTS finally released their fifth studio album “Arirang” containing 14 tracks. This is their first full-group project since 2022. The word “Arirang” comes from a centuries old traditional Korean folk song that represents the resilience of Korean people. Korean identity has always been integral in BTS’ music though most of the world only knows them for their English songs like “Dynamite” and “Butter.” In the past, the group has received backlash for singing songs in English, but most of BTS’ discography is in Korean which casual listeners brush over since the group took the global stage. This album is to acknowledge and show their culture.
Body To Body – The opening song for this album is very energetic and hypes up fans. Especially with RM’s lyric “I need the whole stadium to jump.” They also incorporate a sample from “Gyeonggi Arirang,” a traditional Korean folk song, highlighting their strong connection to Korean cultural heritage and musical roots. This song is similar to the vibes from their album “Dark and Wild” with the hip-hop beats. It’s nostalgic to fans who have been supporting them since the beginning of their career.
Hooligan – The introduction continues the infectious high energy we heard in “Body To Body.” This piece is chaotic, but it represents them taking back their independence. The song is emitting rebellious energy towards the music industry and its standards.
Aliens – This song is to recognize the racism they’ve experienced over the years especially since they’ve been gaining attention overseas. It shuts down the label of aliens and it takes them above the negativity of haters. They take back their individuality through this song.
FYA – Throughout this piece they say, “Everything lit, it’s fire. Everything gas, it’s fire,” which represents the flame they’re reigniting in this album and with their fandom. It screams confidence and ambition, painting an image of BTS being unstoppable setting fire everywhere they go.
2.0 – This song is like “No More Dream,” from their debut album with its trap elements, but more elevated and matured. The repeat, “came back for what’s mine,” to show that they’re reclaiming the world stage after their hiatus but also showing off the skills they’ve developed in their solo careers through the lyrics, “we on that brand new, you know how we do.” It’s a declaration of them saying they’re taking back what rightfully belongs to them.
No. 29 – For the entire track there is a bell that is rung in the beginning and fades til the end of the piece. It further highlights the Korean heritage that BTS is trying to showcase on this album. This acts as a transition to the rest of the album.
SWIM – The concept of “swimming” in this song represents the feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s pressures, emotions and expectations. This paints the struggle of trying to stay afloat in deep water. But instead of giving up, the song emphasizes resilience to survive emotional hardships.
Merry Go Round – The song lyrics start off saying, “I wish that I could tell you that it’s over. I wish that I could walk away from pain,” symbolizing the repeating of the same routines. Continuing throughout the song they sing about how they can’t get off the merry-go-round showing how they repeat the same mistakes without making progress. Although you move, you still end up in the same place.
NORMAL – In this song it discusses the cost of fame and how they have to adjust to it. The lyrics, “Run away, out of sight, don’t know what I want. Wish I had a minute just to turn me off. Kerosene, dopamine, what I gotta do? Yeah, we call this sh*t normal,” explains how they have to normalize this life despite the overwhelming upbringing they had with fame. The reference to kerosene and dopamine shows the ups and downs of fame.
Like Animals – Throughout the song it explores how people are driven by acting impulsively and selfishly without thinking. It shows the loss of control where societal rules and expectations force people to let emotions such as anger take over. They spread a message of self-awareness to recognize these instincts in order to regain control.
they don’t know ‘bout us – This is another dark hip-hop track. The song emphasizes how their true identities are compared to how the world perceives them. The song feels dark and heavy, almost directed towards the criticism they receive as a group. It’s very catchy and different compared to the songs they made when they were receiving worldwide recognition.
One More Night – The phrase “one more night” in this song can be interpreted as the struggle to hold onto something that is already fading. It captures the desire to have one final moment together, even when you know it may not last. The feeling of longing and denial can be seen through the lyrics of the song.
Please – This song shows the vulnerability of reaching out to someone and not wanting to be left behind. It reflects the feeling of desperation and longing when pride goes away leaving only raw emotions. It symbolizes the fear of losing someone important and the desire to hold onto them a little longer.
Into the Sun – The beginning of this song is different from any song they’ve released. It’s interesting with the vocal warps. But the song portrays enduring hardships while holding onto hope and light. The lyrics “Dark days and find the sun,” show that even during the darkest times you always hold onto the guiding light to find your way back.
ARMYRANG – This is a spoken message at the end of the album where each member shares their thoughts and feelings on their project. They thank their fans for being their biggest inspiration.
Overall I give this album an 8.5/10. The message was very strong, especially highlighting their Korean heritage, but also tying it back to their debut album. It’s a full circle moment for fans that have been supporting them for a long time. “Body To Body” was one of the best songs of the album because of the sample of “Gyeonggi Arirang” which I’ve never heard sampled in a song before. The storytelling was very enjoyable, although I will say some new fans wouldn’t be able to connect with this album as well if they haven’t listened to BTS’ earlier works.