On March 20, after a long military hiatus, global K-pop group BTS released their long-awaited comeback album, “Arirang”. Known for paving the way for the globalization of K-pop, BTS has returned without losing a step. The group’s return is an experimentation with their old style and something new. 

With the blend of techno, R&B, and hip-hop, the album introduces a new sound and a bold style, both living up to expectations of a “comeback album” by being something new, but also causing tension among the fans. Some say that the album is supposed to be new and jarring, while others criticize it for the same reasons.  With the album title “Arirang” referencing an old Korean folk song, which is a symbol of unity and cultural significance, the album sets a meaningful foundation for this new era, but it doesn’t always fully commit to it. With the balance teetering between harmonies and rap, the album feels unfinished. 

Body to Body 

“Body to Body” opens the album with heavy techno sounds, immediately contrasting their old music.  Though their original albums had a hip-hop vibe, it was more old school, and their most famous albums are more known for their “boy crush” concepts. Composition-wise, the song almost seamlessly transitions into the folk song, moving between techno and the traditional beats. 

Yet, many fans believe it doesn’t fit thematically, as it feels disconnected from the rest of the song. The inclusion of Arirang as a cultural reference is meaningful, but it feels out of place. The track has many individual elements that are strong, but they don’t all come together, making it feel like a bunch of ideas instead of something substantial. 

Hooligan 

“Hooligan” again leans further into the experimental production that this album is slowly making into its signature. Most criticism revolves around the use of “noise music” because of the sword sounds that are the foundation of this song. 

Though it’s catchy, it also struggles with balance. The melodic sections interrupt the flow of the rap, and eventually, the clatter of knives and sound effects in the background becomes overwhelming. The strongest moment of this song is when the music cuts out, letting the rap shine on its own. Like the previous song, it feels like it’s packed with ideas that don’t fully align. 

Aliens 

This song continues the rap-heavy elements of the album, but improves on cohesion. The melody blends more seamlessly, creating an easier listening experience, but this track also highlights an important aspect of the album in general: the dominance of English lyrics. 

This, by no means, is immoral as BTS is one of the most global groups in music history. It’s clear that modern K-pop is catering to more Western and global tastes, but the use of more English in this album is disappointing, as the name of the album itself is a cultural symbol to many, if not all, Koreans. A stronger use of Korean lyrics would have reinforced the album’s identity. 

FYA

“FYA” introduces a slightly darker tone, with deeper vocals and heavier production. Similar to the contrast of the rap and melody in ” Hooligan, the choruses vary between different verses. 

The balance in this song is probably the most successful, making it one of the strongest tracks on the album. Some elements, such as chanting the word “fire” or interjecting heavy breathing between verses, feel excessive, but overall, this is the song that solidifies their shift from their old sounds. 

2.0

“2.0” marks more of a shift in the album, bringing back more Korean lyrics and a steadier beat. The consistent production makes the track feel more familiar, with aspects of their old hip-hop style mixed with the new version. The catchy chorus and rhythm make it easier to understand why this song gained popularity, and while the rap feels less developed compared to other songs on the album, the song manages to stand out. 

No. 29

This song confuses the fans the most, with the track consisting of only a bell tolling sound. Some call this an artistic choice, a palate cleanser while listening to the album. Other fans think it’s a lazy way to add extra songs onto a comeback album without any real value. While it may be intended to be an artistic pause, few people actually listen to the full song, skipping it after getting bored. The song is more confusing than impactful, and doesn’t add much to the actual album. 

Swim

Though “Swim” was originally underwhelming, most fans seem to agree that the song gets more catchy over time. The song itself has more of a cinematic feel, moving away from the heavier rap style of the previous songs into more of a laid-back and atmospheric song. However, the song is completely in English, which brings us back to the point of the westernization of the album. 

Merry Go ‘Round

“Merry Go ‘Round” is more of a softer song, higher in pitch and breathy. The song’s theme of being stuck on a “roller coaster” with no way to stop is more relatable to ARMY than the previous songs, which were about true love and physical intimacy. Though this song has more vocals than other songs on the album, the heavy background overpowers them, making it difficult to understand the true theme of the song. Other than that, this is one of the fan favorites, praised for its dreamy sound and nostalgic feel. 

Normal 

“Normal” stands out in the album for its simplicity. It’s more grounded in the earlier works of BTS, having more of a nostalgic theme. The more pop vibe blended with emotional lyrics mirrors their previous albums. The vocals are more natural and cohesive, and it’s easier to tell the voices apart from member to member. The use of explicit language also shows a shift, both in K-pop overall and in BTS. It reflects the group’s evolution and adds to their comeback, and the lack of heavy experimentation works in its favor. 

Like Animals

“Like Animals” returns to a more aggressive, high-energy sound, due to the production and heavy bass. The chorus is bold, with fans praising the members for their high notes and the emotional depth of the song. Some find it a standout track, while others find it polarizing. Though the song doesn’t stand out particularly on the album, it’s better known for being performance-based and for standing out in live settings. 

One More Night

“One More Night” follows a more mainstream pop song base, with softer vocals and a stable bassline. While the song is easy to listen to, it gets lost in the other, more experimental heavy songs. Many appreciate the more 2000’s vibes of the song, because of its similar vibes to old BTS albums. It’s often quoted as a “basement baby” with other underappreciated songs. It may lack the distinctiveness that separates it from the other songs, but the familiarity of the song makes it enjoyable to listen. 

Please 

“Please” has resonated with fans for its “yearning” and R&B sounds. The song focuses more on vocal delivery, emphasizing emotion over its production. The stripped-back style has earned more favor, considered by the fans as a “no-skip” track. Many were surprised that the song isn’t paid more attention compared to other tracks. It revisits similar themes already used in other songs, making it less unique within the album as a whole. 

Into the Sun

“Into the Sun” closes the album with a reflective tone. The song is riddled with vocal effects, which sound harsh with the emotional beat of the song. The song is a heartfelt and poetic anthem from BTS for their fans, and the gradual build of the song adds to the song without making it overly dramatic. Though it’s not the most bold track, it is a fitting ending to the album. It suggests growth, which is exactly what BTS aims to do as they continue to make music. 

Overall, the album feels inconsistent, with many separate elements all coming together in one. The heavy use of Western influences and English lyrics is in disconnection with the cultural significance of their album name. Instead of being a united album, “Arirang” sounds like a collection of ideas.

The new album connects with their old hip-hop roots while still being “new,” embracing a more mature sound. Yet, the 14-track album lacks a uniform and cohesive vibe. The two halves of the album are wildly contrasting, with the rap-heavy, higher tone songs shifting into a more atmospheric and mellow R&B. The ambition in the album to be global led to an overproduced and sometimes even shallow product. 

The album proves that BTS is not afraid to take risks, with them clearly pushing out their songs in new directions. What makes the album stand out is the clear ambition in it, balancing innovation with identity.