BTS: ARIRANG

Kayla Sharpe

Tampa Writer

March 20th, 2026

After nearly four years apart, military service, solo projects, and time spent gaining independent identities , BTS is back. And ARIRANG doesn’t sound like a band trying to pick up where they left off. It sounds like seven people who’ve actually experienced something, showing up to prove it.

That’s what makes it work. You can feel the time in it. The different directions they took,  new sounds picked up, the space they had to exist as individuals. All of it was displayed on this record. It’s not a nostalgia trip. It feels more like a reunion where everyone comes back slightly changed, and the conversation is better because of it.

 Is it perfect? No. But when it lands, it really lands. More than anything, it reminds you why people fell in love with them in the first place. Their chemistry, the feeling of what you’re hearing actually means something. ARIRANG feels earned. 

Body to Body is a strong opener. Right away, you get that classic BTS balance between the rap line and vocals, and it sets a solid tone for the album.

Hooligan is where things dip a bit. The production feels repetitive, and the lyrics don’t land completely. It sounds like they’re experimenting, but this one doesn’t come together as much as the others.

Aliens keeps that rap-heavy energy going. But there’s a looping sample that becomes tiresome. Which is a shame because the direction itself is interesting.

FYA is complicated. The production is great and carries a lot of the weight. However, the chorus feels weak, and the hook is a little cringey in a way that almost feels intentional.

2.0 is definitely the standout. It’s sharp, catchy, and well put together. J-Hope shines here, and Jungkook’s delivery is smooth. It drags slightly toward the end, but the chemistry makes up for it.

No. 29 is probably the most confusing track at first. It’s nearly silent, and a lot of people probably thought something was wrong with their speakers. But it’s actually a tribute to traditional Korean culture, centered around the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, National Treasure No. 29. It’s a bold, meaningful choice that makes more sense the more you sit with it.

SWIM, the lead single, is where the album really clicks. It feels unmistakably like BTS, and by the time the chorus hits, it’s already stuck in your head.

Merry-Go-Round keeps that momentum going. Jungkook sets a high bar with a powerful opening, followed by a seamless transition into Suga’s verse. The result is a refined performance with the classic BTS formula, with a leveled-up finish. 

NORMAL is introspective. It quietly reflects on fame and that sense of disconnect, with subtle callbacks longtime listeners will catch.

Like Animals comes out of nowhere in the best way. It leans into a rock-inspired, more sensual vibe, and it actually works really well.

They don’t know ’bout us pairs a really pretty, vintage-sounding sample with lyrics about being misunderstood and staying grounded in where they came from.

One More Night has a light, breezy feel, very reminiscent of J-Hope’s Hope World era. It’s fun, easy, and definitely replayable.

Please keeps that same warmth going. It echoes the comfort of Home from Map of the Soul: Persona, but still feels like its own thing.

Into the Sun closes the album on a bittersweet but hopeful note. Some of the vocal features feel a little out of place, but overall, it’s a warm, satisfying ending. And in line with the title, it’s a bright, sunny track.

Sonder gives this album a 6/10. BTS has set a standard of back-to-back hits that make you want to see everything live, and this one falls short of that. The return was handled well, but there are too many experimental moments early on that create an uneven feel, and it doesn’t fully settle in until the middle to end.

At the end of the day, ARIRANG feels like both an experiment and a homecoming. The first half is a bit uneven, like they’re still finding their rhythm again, but the second half really delivers. And when BTS is fully present, they remind you just how good they are. It feels nostalgic but still modern, which makes us excited for what’s next. Whether they will continue to lean into experimentation or return to what’s worked before is still up in the air.

They took time to grow on their own, and now they’re back, showing a different side of themselves. And it certainly feels like it was worth the wait.

Writer: Kayla Sharpe 

Editor: Stephanie Rodriguez, Jade Read