Review: Debut ARMY Ranks All 14 Songs on BTS’s ‘Arirang’ Album

Whether people called themselves fans or not, all eyes are on BTS. When a group has reached icon status as the septet has, that kind of attention is unavoidable. Even more so when there is so much riding on the project. ARMYs will be excited for their return, whilst casual listeners or naysayers may be wondering what BTS can offer after a four-year hiatus. 

As someone who has been listening to their music since their debut in 2013, one thing that has always stood out to me is BTS’s commitment to evolution. With every album, they reinvent themselves, and no one record sounds the same. What you get is a wonderfully diverse discography that speaks to their ever-expanding artistry.

Arirang is no different. It’s a bold and audacious move to name your first studio album in six years (excluding the anthology Proof and pandemic project BE) after such a historic 600-year-old Korean folk song. The word itself does not have a singular definition and encapsulates a range of emotions from longing and sorrow to love and hope. Similarly, BTS aims to capture this tapestry of emotions through sonic experimentation while also returning to form. 

Featuring a lineup of world-class producers such as Ryan Tedder, Mike Will Made-it, Diplo, JPEGMAFIA, and long-time collaborator Pdogg, as well as contributions from members RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, Jungkook, and V, Arirang is a high-voltage album that does what BTS does best—music that moves. 

The first half is pure, unadulterated cardio, reflecting the group’s signature intensity, which echoes their gritty, scrappy hip-hop roots. Meanwhile, the second half showcases another side that fans love: an inward reflection on anxieties, fame, and the future, delivered through arresting vocals and lyricism. 

And now, to the ranking. As any other ARMY would find, it was difficult for me to rank each track despite listening to the album on repeat. So many of these songs could have been at a different position depending on the hour of the day or simply how I’m feeling. While this is by no means a definitive list, here’s what I think of every track on Arirang based on its overall production, songwriting, and listenability.

14. ‘No. 29’

This is not an actual song, so naturally, ‘No. 29’ starts this list. Serving as an interlude, it features the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, which is also labelled as South Korea’s National Treasure No. 29. You hear a single bell toll, and its one-minute and 37-second runtime is exactly how long it takes for the sound to dissipate. It’s a sound that reverberates throughout Korean history, and here, its brooding silence and weight give listeners a moment of levity from the album’s high-octane first half before settling into its more introspective, moodier second. A perfect time to catch your breath and recenter.

13. ‘Into The Sun’

I can already hear a horde of ARMYs booing my placement of ‘Into The Sun’ this low, and trust me, I hate to see it here, too. It’s clear why this song was chosen to close out Arirang. With its soaring chorus and sweeping melodies that feel as though it’s reaching for light itself, ‘Into The Sun’ is a wonderful anthem that I can see every ARMY singing to in sold-out stadiums at the end of a concert. 

However, the vocoder-treated vocals drown out the members’ beautiful harmonies. With an album that has showcased so much of their versatility thus far, it would have been great to clearly hear their voices in the finale. While it can be distracting, I appreciate the experimentation nonetheless. I find myself looking forward to the last 50 seconds as it steers you into that swell of an outro. When performed live (hopefully without too much of the vocoder), I can definitely see myself appreciating this song more and ugly sobbing into my lightstick as I did for ‘Mikrokosmos’ and ‘Young Forever’. 

12. ‘Merry Go Round’

As one of the more sobering and vulnerable tracks on the album, this melancholic pop-ballad has BTS open up about the numbing cycle of the idol life that has worn them down over the years. “I’ve ridden this thing long enough / Please take me out”, they sing in whispery tones, a departure from the group’s usual brand of grit and tenacity. The subject matter also hints at a deeper love-hate relationship with their fame, but not being able to step away from it due to their love for the craft (“My life is like a broken roller coaster / But maybe I’m the only one to blame”).

While Jimin and Jungkook’s falsettos bring a haunting quality to the song, and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker drives a tight production, ‘Merry Go Round’ settles into a lull that mimics the song’s repetitive structure. A mellow track to listen to during a night drive, but one I’ll only reach for in a specific mood.

11. ‘Aliens’

With a powerful declaration of identity, ‘Aliens’ is a hard-hitting song in which BTS own who they are with unflinching confidence. “Born different, 7 aliens”, Suga claims in the opening. It’s a direct confrontation to their haters, and lovers of the rapline’s cyphers and ‘Ddaeng’ will rave over it for its sheer bravado. The term ‘aliens’ cleverly refers to both their mistreatment in their early days and to their continued perception as outsiders looking in despite finding major success in Western markets. 

The members are acutely aware of this and even poke fun at how others may perceive them and the K-pop genre as a whole. “Do I look too funny?” J-hope asks. Out of all the songs on Arirang, ‘Aliens’ arguably has the strongest message of strength and confidence, and the R&B verses in between take ‘Aliens’ from a rap-heavy mainstay one would often expect in a BTS album to a catchy hybrid. In saying that, the Mike WiLL Made-It production’s extensive reverbs result in vocals that sound too far away or drowned out, missing that bit of oomph to drive it home. Had the track gone easier on those,  the listening experience would be much more impactful. 

10. ‘One More Night’

This one’s a pure dopamine hit! With its infectious melody, ‘One More Night’ is a call to dance under glittering lights and to get swept up by your beloved again and again. The mid-tempo 1990s house bassline is a trendy genre as of late, but it’s a sound we haven’t quite heard on BTS’s discography. The group jumps on the bandwagon by adding groovy jazz inflections, and sparkling synths. It’s an accessible and easy song on the ears, one that will only grow more likeable with every listen.

9. ‘2.0’

It’s another Mike WiLL Made-It production, but this time, both the raps and vocals are front and centre. The subject matter is close to ‘Aliens’, but in ‘2.0’, the members take a more laid-back and blasé approach, but with double the swagger. “That’s right, feels like it’s brand new / Specced out, stepped in, we ain’t missin’ step two”, J-hope raps, showing how BTS is back, fresher and upgraded, without missing a beat. 

The song is anchored by a catchy “stop, ride” hook with its delayed beats, making it an interesting song to listen to and view, as it’s matched with powerful choreography. “Had your little fun, fella? / yeah, came back for what’s mine”, the members go, reaffirming the group’s status with magnetic confidence before easing into a groovy chorus. A definite concert standout!

8. ‘Swim’

‘Swim’ departs from everything we know BTS for. Rather than an explosive number with powerful choreography, ‘Swim’ is the mellowest title track by BTS, which relies on subdued delivery and fluid movement. Suga delivers one of his best verses here as he shows off his rap and vocal skills. The calming, almost buoyant-like melody is framed by lyrics of longing and togetherness. “Nights like these, I just wanna get lost / Right here with the moon and the sharks” can be interpreted as more than just romance, as the members band together to brave the waves and turbulence ahead.  

Given the high-octane tracks on Arirang, it would have been easy for BTS to pick ‘Body to Body’ as a title track, but the decision to pick ‘Swim’ is one I can get behind. The ability to discern and go against the grain of what people usually expect of them is a sign of what Arirang represents: that their identity is only defined by their terms. It’s a message that even after 13 years, BTS can still surprise us. With its floaty soundscape, ‘Swim’ has the longevity to become one of BTS’s most timeless songs.

7. ‘Hooligan’

Listeners might be surprised by the sound of clashing knives or the abrasive ‘ha ha ha’s, but to long-time ARMYs, the track has classic BTS written all over it. ‘Hooligan’ transports me back to the group’s playful irreverence in ‘Attack on Bangtan’ and ‘Silver Spoon’ as they lean into the characters of snarky troublemakers who talk the talk and can walk the walk. Oozing chaotic delinquent energy, rap verses ride a booming 808 bass line, reminiscent of the restless energy in songs like ‘UGH!’ and ‘War of Hormone’. RM also stakes their claim in the music industry with a clever double entendre (“This that K, gotta get a better pop here”). 

Vocal passages over strings contrast the sharp, choppy production from Fakeguido and El Guincho. This creates a synergy between smooth vocals and rage beat patterns that is addictive to listen to. As the second track off Arirang, ‘Hooligan’ delivers an explosion of infectious energy that will have you cranking up the volume and popping to your feet.  

6. ‘Please’

When BTS are not brandishing their loud or fierce image, they also know how to channel their inner romantic. We’re talking pathetic levels of yearning that we long to see in Hollywood movies. Case in point: ‘Please’. Sonically, it’s a return to their R&B sensibilities heard in ‘Just One Day’, ‘Moving’, ‘Home’ (or my personal favourite, ‘Hold Me Tight’, for those who get it). Lyrically, it’s a love song to ARMYs, which reminds me of the fan-favourite ‘Dimple’ (“Hold you even tighter right now, even hell, I’m down / All I want is you”).

A great song that highlights the members’ higher and lower registers beautifully, while the rappers deliver melodic verses that ride on that emotional high. With a production that echoes early 2000s R&B classics, ‘Please’ proves that BTS is one hell of a sexy group.

5. ‘They Don’t Know About Us’

Speaking of sexy, we have another equally sultry number. Almost immediately, Jimin stands out here as he shapeshifts his usual light and airy vocals into a lower register in the chorus’s hook. V and Jungkook’s R&B leanings provide a solid foundation as they effortlessly carry the bouncy trap groove (O!RUL8,2’s ‘We On’ and ‘If We Ruled The World’, anyone?) while Jin’s whispery lines lift the entire song. Both the vocal and rap verses seamlessly fuse to create a lush soundscape. 

Lyrically, ‘They Don’t Know About Us’ is one of the tracks in Arirang that gives us an honest glimpse into BTS’s turbulent relationship with fame and never truly being known for their authentic selves, even to fans: “Everybody hears the story that they wanna”. This is also where Arirang’s theme of identity and belonging manifests most clearly. Rather than trying to explain or justify themselves (“They keep asking just what was so different / I answer, I don’t know either”), BTS sets the record straight once and for all (“You said we changed / We feel the same”). It’s a strong and confident anthem of reclaiming their identity with some of the most memorable lyrics in Arirang. 

4. ‘Like Animals’

Primal, cinematic, atmospheric. ‘Like Animals’ is for those who love grungier tracks such as ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Louder Than Bombs’. Just from the opening howl, the alternative rock song sees the septet as a united force of nature. Rappers and singers blend into one another as they express indulging in untamed, primal desire as a form of liberation (“there’s beauty outside control”). 

There’s siren-like vocals, rapsy howls, and soaring belts, all layered beautifully with tasteful distortion. That bridge? Chills. With its restrained tempo, indie acoustics, and a heavy 808, ‘Like Animals’ is a psychedelic anthem with a dreamy and haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the song ends.

3. ‘Normal’

This is what I call love at first listen. With its pop-rock instrumentals and delayed drums, ‘Normal’ beautifully carries the weight of BTS’s superstar life and its contradictions with palpable emotion. The septet explore their astronomical rise to fame and its cost—from intense public scrutiny and criticisms to their mental health—to show how their atypical lives are now normalised for all of them (“wish I had a minute just to turn me off”). Ryan Tedder and Sean Cook bring out each member’s colour well, from V’s soulful runs to RM’s punchy talk-singing, while keeping a raw, grounded feel to the whole track. The chorus has a catchy hook, and I foresee ‘Normal’ being another popular radio-friendly song that even non-fans will enjoy. 

2. ‘FYA’

BTS continues the sweaty momentum of Arirang by going full-throttle with ‘FYA’. If this song doesn’t have you aggressively vogue walking around your living room, you’re not listening to it right. The definition of high-octane, producers Diplo, JPEGMAFIA, and Flume lend their hands in this hyper Jersey club song that responds to another timely music trend while still playing to their strengths. Perfect for those who love high-energy tracks like ‘Run BTS’ and ‘Mic Drop’.

With its distorted beats, throttling synths, and electronic textures, ‘FYA’ sounds like a car going into overdrive, but never on the verge of breaking down as BTS expertly steer the intensity with ease and precision. That closing dance break takes the song to another level and will definitely be a stadium highlight on their world tour. Now, if only we can get BTS and Charli XCX to work something out on a remix…

1. ‘Body to Body’

There was no other song that could have been a more perfect opener for Arirang than ‘Body to Body’. With The Picard Brothers, Ryan Tedder, Diplo, and Pdogg, the song is a vibrant and colourful tapestry of BTS’s Korean roots, their special brand of experimental music, and love for their craft. Equal parts a love letter to their homeland and the unifying effect of music, ‘Body to Body’ is a call for everyone to be present and feel. “Put your phone down, let’s get all the fun”, the members sing, reinforcing BTS as performers bringing people together through their art.

From its bouncy rhythm and smooth R&B vocals to the head-bopping rap flows, ‘Body to Body’ builds and builds. By the time we get to the sampling of Gyeonggi Arirang and the Korean percussion comes in, we’re positively levitating. In the Netflix documentary, the members are split on the duration of the Arirang melody. I believe they found a sweet spot, as the sample pays homage to their Korean identity, but not in a way that feels superficially signposted. A powerful and compelling start to their new chapter.

FINAL VERDICT

Arirang arrived carrying all the weight and expectations of BTS’s return, but alas, it did not break under it. As someone who has been listening to them since 2013, it’s clear that the septet was committed to delivering new sounds and textures with Arirang, pushing their artistry to new heights.

I’ve seen a lot of people describe the album as “mature” or “grown”, but I don’t necessarily think that is true. To say something is mature is to infer that it was previously underdeveloped or childish. But I don’t believe that BTS’s albums before Arirang were juvenile. In fact, the septet gained a strong online following for rapping and singing about tough, important topics since 2013.  

Whether it’s the turbulent period of adolescence in O!RUL8,2; exploring themes of self-worth and identity in the Love Yourself series; the corruption of youth in the coming-of-age Wings; or the psychological explorations into the psyche with the Map of the Soul series, every album was treated with emotional depth and nuance that reflect BTS’s maturity as artists and storytellers.

Rather, the words I would use to characterise Arirang are confidence and restraint. A sign of a great artist is not knowing what to put in, but what to leave out. There is no doubt that Arirang conjures a strong image of Korean traditional culture. The first things that come to mind are hanboks, folk singing, and traditional instruments. Netizens would’ve naturally expected a similar direction seen in ‘Idol’ or ‘Daechwita’. 

Instead of going down this route, BTS interpreted ‘Arirang’ through their different styles, colours, and sounds. Just because they sing in English or don’t incorporate traditional instruments into their music doesn’t make them any less Korean. With Arirang, the group is saying that they’ve done enough to show us where they come from. Like RM raps in ‘Aliens’, “Everybody know now where the K is”. Regardless of what language or genre they perform in, their Korean identity will always be prominent. 

The ‘Arirang’ folk song captures the hope that North and South Korea will unite one day. In that sense, the longing for reunion is also represented in this record. BTS’s Arirang is a homecoming for seven individuals who have gone through six years of personal evolution and solo endeavours to return as a unified, collective unit, stronger than ever.

Rating: 9/10

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