In January, the K-pop group BTS announced their newest album, “Arirang,” their first comeback since the group took a break in 2022. The album was released on March 20 and consists of 14 tracks totaling 41 minutes.
There are multiple messages conveyed throughout the album, from reconnecting with cultural roots to beginning a new musical era, as well as feelings of alienation and being seen only as idols rather than human beings.
The album “Arirang” is named after a Korean folk song of the same name. It, along with other songs in the album such as “No. 29,” aim to connect the group’s music with their cultural roots. This is done by incorporating aspects of Korean culture, such as in “No. 29,” which is placed midway through the album as an interlude and begins with the tolling of a historical and culturally significant bell known as the Sacred Bell of Great King Seong Deok, or the Emille Bell. After the toll of the bell, the track continues with a minute of pure silence, which may throw off any listener who is unaware of the track.
Along with returning to their cultural roots, the album explores themes of alienation and isolation within the Western music industry and how the group feels as though audiences only view them as idols. This is conveyed through songs such as “Alien,” “They Don’t Know ‘Bout Us,” and “Normal.” Lyrics like “Oh my god, do I look too funny?” and “Born different, seven aliens,” from the track “Alien,” reflect how out of place the group feels in the Western music industry. The track features a high-energy beat that blends pop and rap with their lyrics that express their feelings of alienation and being strangers in this industry.
Similarly, “Normal” explores the expectations and stress that come with global fame, highlighting the tension between public image and the reality of the people behind those images. Lyrics such as “Yeah, we call this shit normal/ Run away out of sight, don’t know what I want/ Wish I had a minute just to turn me off” and “Fantasy and fame, yeah, the things we choose” express that tension. The track uses more electronic sounds than past albums, blending with a pop-rap style that emphasizes this theme.
Another theme in the album is growth and maturity, as well as the beginning of a new chapter for the group following the completion of their mandatory military service. The album’s opening track, “Body to Body,” aims to bring unity and togetherness to fans across the world through their music, with lyrics such as, “I need the whole stadium to jump/ put your phone down, let’s get all the fun.” The track also reflects a “new” era of BTS by blending pop-rap with traditional Korean elements.
While the album’s messages are meaningful and emotionally powerful, the project as a whole does not fully live up to its hype. After such a long hiatus, it is difficult for any group to return with an album that meets the high expectations of fans. Both the group and the music industry have changed during their four-year hiatus, with new K-pop artists gaining attention and breaking records once held by BTS themselves during their absence.
The album starts strong with “Body to Body,” an upbeat track reminiscent of BTS’ earlier style while incorporating elements of their newer direction. However, while there are several tracks that stand out, other songs in the album fall short. The album’s length and shifting styles can feel overwhelming, as it moves back and forth between old and new styles in a way that feels as though they are unsure of what direction they want to take for this new era.
There has also been recent controversy surrounding lyric quality and the overuse of English within some of the tracks; a good example of this is the song “Hooligan.” The song is meant to be about rebellion and self-expression, with lyrics such as, “Watch this, watch this beat goin’ hooligan/ We pop out, we actin’ a fool again.” While the track itself is a rather good song, the track relies heavily on English lyrics, with only a few lines in Korean. This is ironic given the album’s emphasis on reconnecting with Korean roots.
For some listeners, this heavy use of English lyrics might take away from the appeal of K-pop, which often focuses more on Korean lyrics, while still including enough English lyrics to make the message of the song clear to non-Korean speaking audiences. While I can understand incorporating English lyrics to reach a broader audience with their Western fan base, this overuse of English lyrics distracts from BTS’ main message for this album.
Along with the language concerns, I feel as though some songs fall flat compared to others. The closing track, “Into the Sun,” is intended to represent reunion and new beginnings. While the slower, laid-back song is meant to be heartfelt and uplifting, the heavy reliance on digital vocal effects takes away from the emotional impact of the song. As the final track, it feels underwhelming compared to the album’s strong opening.
Despite the inconsistencies within the album, there are a few standout tracks. I found one of the strongest songs within the album to be “FYA,” a fast-paced, high-energy dance track that is themed around fiery passion and excitement with a celebratory tone. Though it differs from BTS’ older style, the experimental approach and fiery energy make the track a memorable one. Lyrics like “Everything lit, it’s fire, everything big, it’s fire” and “Club goes crazy like Britney, baby hit me with it one more time” add to the song’s energetic feel, even if the Britney Spears reference is slightly cliché.
Overall, the album delivers a mix of both strong and weak songs that almost cancel each other out. While it may not meet all of the expectations placed around BTS’ first comeback album, the themes of identity, growth and cultural connection remain a powerful and impactful message. If this album marks the direction of a “new” BTS, and one that they continue to explore more of the experimental sounds heard in “FYA” and other songs, I feel as though there is potential in their future releases. It will be interesting to see how the group will continue to grow and evolve now that they have returned to the world stage.
