Editor’s Note: All lyrics in quotes have been translated from Korean to English.
After four years, BTS — one of the biggest boy bands in the world — returned from their hiatus, after members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. On March 20th, they released ARIRANG, composed of 14 tracks, experimenting with their past and reinventing themselves for the future.
The album opens with “Body to Body,” commanding the audience to get loud and close together, crescendoing into a sample of “Gyeonggi Arirang,” a traditional Korean folk song reflecting feelings of longing and love. Unlike the boringly safe title track “SWIM,” “Body to Body” truly encapsulates the album’s promised themes of cultural reconnection alongside the interlude “No. 29,” where a single ring of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok can be heard, representing the album’s tonal shift.
Following with “Hooligan” and “Aliens,” the album pivots completely to hard-hitting hip hop tracks, reminiscent of BTS’ amateur albums. “Aliens” succeeds with Jeon Jungkook’s fierce chorus: “From the Ka-Na to the Ha (Korean ABCs), watch and learn from us,” proudly claiming their Korean identity in the face of shallow-minded hatred, complimented by the addictive production of Mike WiLL Made-It. Unlike “Aliens,” “Hooligan” disappoints, as Kim Namjoon and Jung Hoseok trade verses about “Actin’ a fool again” over a disjointed production of sharpened knives and laughter samples.
The pop portion of the album feels vulnerable and melodic, but falters at times. “Merry Go Round,” a classic pop ballad, explores the struggles of idol life and their inability to stop their cycles of self-destruction. “NORMAL” shows potential to be a powerful moment of vulnerability through narration of highs and lows of fame, but the clunky instrumental makes their message literally hard to hear. Luckily, “One More Night” and “Please” deliver, featuring groovy house beats and dreamy production elevated by passionate vocals from members Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Kim Seokjin.
In the midst of invoking nostalgia from previous works, the album 180s into uncharted territory. “FYA” teleports listeners straight into night life, drawing influence from Jersey clubs, curating a chaotically infectious headbanger. “Like Animals” holds an engaging instrumental with a grungy guitar solo, but the lyrical content feels surface level.
ARIRANG certifies that BTS members are just getting started again as artists following their hiatus, even if they get off on the wrong foot. “2.0” holds potential to focus more on their new chapter, but the chorus full of knocks and pops negates any messaging with its repetitiveness. The issue resurfaces in “they don’t know ‘bout us,” where witty lines by rapper Min Yoongi warn critics against being “deep in my business,” are drowned out by monotonous chants of the title.
The journey to reconnect with their roots should have excluded BTS’ reliance on autotune. On “Into the Sun,” the singers promise to seek hope alongside their fans, a sweet sentiment masked by irritating vocoder.
Overall, ARIRANG provides an unpolished, but commendable, addition to the group’s catalogue. After 13 years of artistry, reinvention isn’t easy, and BTS must balance who they were with who they want to be. Not all of their ideas are in vain; however, most need more refining before asking the fans to reunite with them once more.
3 bell rings out of 5
