After Six Long Years, BTS Returns With Their New Album ‘ARIRANG’
The 14-track project features production work from Diplo, Kevin Parker, JPEGMAFIA and more.
Summary
- Pop royalty BTS has released their fifth studio album titled ARIRANG
- The project features an elite lineup of world-renowned producers including Diplo, Kevin Parker, and JPEGMAFIA
- The title and thematic elements draw heavily from a traditional Korean folk song to reflect the group’s roots
BTS is officially back with their fifth studio album, ARIRANG.
Arriving after their hiatus of approximately three years and nine months, ARIRANG encapsulates the identity of the band and the universal emotions they currently encounter. The 14-track project is deeply rooted in the band’s South Korean origins, drawing its title and thematic inspiration from “Arirang,” a traditional Korean folk song. This cultural imprint is woven throughout the release, with the stadium-ready opening track “Body to Body” incorporating traditional percussion alongside an interlude featuring the resonant tolling of the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.
The creative journey for the album took place during intensive songwriting sessions in Los Angeles throughout the summer of 2025. Members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are all credited with various songwriting and production contributions across the tracklist. To elevate the soundscape, the group tapped an elite roster of world-renowned producers, including Diplo, Ryan Tedder, Mike WiLL Made-It, Flume, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, El Guincho, and JPEGMAFIA. The project is spearheaded by the lead single “SWIM,” an alternative pop track co-written by RM that combines old-school drums with lo-fi synths and a powerful bassline.
After being away for almost four years, BTS’ message is clear: they’re back and they’re here to stay, but not in the same way we knew them pre-enlistment. ARIRANG hears the boys tackle more mature themes and sounds, with even the cover art solidifying their trek down this path. Three years and nine months is a long time, and RM, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, Jin, and Jung Kook evidently made good use of that time away.
Watch the “SWIM” music video above and stream ARIRANG on Spotify and Apple Music.
