ATS Offline

Two things happened on the 20th of March 2026. First, the weather in my city of residence, Sheffield, was, for once, not completely miserable, and one could see this object that is rarely spotted in British skies: the sun. Secondly, marked by a resounding uproar on the internet and an even louder one from the notifications in my chat with my fellow ARMY, BTS dropped their long-anticipated comeback album, Arirang.

What followed was a day of blasting the new album on every audio device in the house and a trip to serotonin heights one could clinically study. And I probably would have continued that journey, listening to it on repeat until I spontaneously combusted, if I hadn’t made a herculean effort to delete all of my social media and music platforms. And in that silence, I took the opportunity to finally reflect on the album, away from all the posts and reaction videos I, to a borderline obsessive extent, had sought out.

It occurred to me that such an experience is deserving of a true moment of consideration, and, with more feelings in my heart than thoughts in my head, I decided to throw my hat in the ring and give my critical two pennies on this release. I don’t possess the musical knowledge to provide an educated review of the music, as you will further see. For now, it suffices to say that my brain finds it appealing. 

So here it is – with no adequate qualifications – my humble review of Arirang.

Overall, I believe it is a good album, with a breadth of sounds, beats and concepts that are satisfying, though they definitely require some getting used to. But I cannot talk further about the music before giving a bit of context for this album – not necessarily within the music scene, but more within culture as a whole.

These seven men, who have been such a comfort to many across the world, are finally back as the unit everyone fell in love with. Hearing them together is truly the treat and the heart of this album. In my pursuit of finding thoughts, opinions, and reactions, I saw many people judging long-time fans for liking – and even going somewhat feral over – songs that can certainly be classified as an acquired taste.

To that, I would argue that the fans’ excitement, in its most powerful form, doesn’t come from the music itself, but from the mere fact that we finally get to hear them together once more.

This album marks the satisfying end of an era of waiting, of missing, of wondering whether their chemistry was a product of their collective fame, or a genuine result of their brotherhood, their shared journey to heights they never thought possible. And the conclusion is one that brings joy to all fans: yes, they still deliver as the group they once were. And even though they have grown as individual artists, they brought that growth forth not to outshine each other, but to drive forward the legacy that was, thankfully, only put on hold by their hiatus.

Although the production clearly bears the imprint of Western artists such as Diplo, Andrew Watt, BloodPop, and many other heavy names that sit behind the credits of titans in the music industry, the watermark of both old BTS and the individual members’ styles – formed and transformed during their solo endeavors – is still very much present throughout this album.

Anyone familiar with RM’s Indigo and Right Place, Wrong Person can quickly identify that he was probably one of the main drivers behind the vision of this project. This vision, however, was refined by Suga and J-Hope’s grittier yet traditional hip-hop styles (displayed at length in D-Day and Jack in the Box), which balances well with RM’s more experimental approach to flows.

The raps possess a certain pettiness that I can only attribute to their confidence, emerging from their attack on the beats not as individual rappers, but as the iconic rap line. One can almost see them not singing, but hunting, each with their own set of skills and weapons, resulting in a perfectly coordinated strike.

The vocal line rose to the occasion, though the discussion on their contribution is rather long. Vocally, they delivered outstandingly – decisively landing the killing blows in each song, if I were to continue my hunting metaphor. But it is their individual contributions that I want to ponder.

Firstly, I must commend Jungkook’s performance. Overall, his individual performance time is kept to a minimum – somewhat of an odd choice, given that he is, after all, the main vocalist of the group. Nonetheless, his hidden ad-libs behind every rap verse, along with the backing vocals across choruses and bridges, add a layer that would be a true crime to miss. He carries the songs not from the front, in his usual manner, but from beneath, uplifting his colleagues. A hidden symbolism, if I may be so romantic about it: his turn now to uplift his members after a long era of being the youngest, the protégé, the maknae of his seniors.

It was a pleasure to see that the styles Jin and Jimin explored in their solo albums, Echo and Face, were not one-off experiments that would be left behind in a group setting. Instead, those artistic choices carry through clearly here, and it works incredibly well.

Jin, in particular, sounds noticeably more confident on this album. There’s a sense that he’s genuinely enjoying being back in a group dynamic, and that comes through in his delivery. His vocals are easily one of the highlights of the record – especially on tracks such as Like Animals and Into the Sun – where he’s given the space to fully showcase the breadth and strength of his voice.

As for Jimin, as someone who appreciates the more aggressive edge he explored in songs like Face-Off and Set Me Free Pt. 2, it’s incredibly satisfying to hear that same intensity carried forward. They Don’t Know ‘Bout Us, which feels very much like his song, is the clearest example of this, and it stands out as one of the most compelling moments on the album.

Without a doubt, the standout of this album is V. What surprised me most is how different this side of him feels compared to his solo work. While his solo music leaned into a softer, sensual, jazz-influenced style, something he had long hinted at, this album completely overturns that expectation.

When you think of V on his own, you think softness and intimacy. Here, that image is challenged. And it doesn’t feel like that side of him was pushed aside; rather, he seems to be the one bringing a new edge, adding a level of intensity that feels entirely genuine.

What makes it work is how natural it feels. While his solo work might suggest that softness is his comfort zone, both on this album and in the few live performances we have seen from this new chapter, he carries this more aggressive, commanding presence with the same ease.

That’s what makes his contribution so striking. He reveals yet another side of himself and inhabits it with such confidence and charisma that it’s hard not to see him as the defining presence on the album.

Now, I do have my criticisms. Certain verses, particularly the English ones, still hold a degree of clumsiness, which I attribute to a lack of mastery of a foreign language. Equally, however, I embrace it. As a foreigner myself, I am well accustomed to (and am guilty of) unusual phrasings and awkward rhythms, all rooted in the fact that my mother tongue is still hardwired in my brain. In this case however, it brings a sense of authenticity that would have otherwise been lost if a fluent speaker were to sanitize the writing. 

Certain sections feel repetitive, predominantly in the first part of the album. Verses that are already simple in format are repeated to give all members a chance to perform. At these points, it is only the members’ charisma and engaging delivery that save the tracks from dragging or becoming dull. 

Again, from the perspective of a fan who has waited to hear them together once more, I possess a level of patience that outside listeners might not extend.

And finally, after an intense week of experiencing this album, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for it. This album was made, first and foremost, for BTS. One can clearly feel their desire to work together again and to rediscover a camaraderie that was paused for the past three years. I think this is particularly evident in the way many of the songs are structured: the verses each member sings are not especially long, instead moving fluidly back and forth, fully embracing and taking pleasure in the presence of multiple voices on a single track. It was also made with live performance in mind. If there is one thing they made abundantly clear throughout this hiatus, it is how much they missed performing together in front of a crowd. This project feels shaped by that intention. 

I also sense it is infused with a desire to reach beyond the fanbase that has waited so long for their return – towards critics, the Western market, and the broader competition. And it is evident to me that they are aiming for awards with this release. But with this one, I owe honesty: I am not convinced they will succeed. Let me explain.

This album is truly a comeback – not just in the literal sense, but in spirit. They address their absence directly, yet in doing so, they give the album a rather niche emotional core. It is an outpouring of passion and a longing to reunite, both as a group and with their fans. However, albums with such a concentrated emotional focus do not always translate to broader appeal – whether to new listeners or to critics – no matter how thoughtfully constructed they are.

I believe the more vulnerable tracks stand the strongest chance of critical recognition. While the catchier songs will undoubtedly perform well commercially, I find myself questioning whether they possess the depth typically associated with award-season success. They carry immense emotional weight for the group and for us as fans, but I am unsure whether that alone is enough to secure the level of recognition they appear to be pursuing. That, perhaps, remains to be seen.

As a closing thought, BTS is back and the music scene feels more vibrant for it. My life certainly does. I believe the album achieves what it set out to do: a return to their roots, their hip-hop foundation, to joy, and to a fearless approach to sonic experimentation. And this holds true regardless of whether they perform in Korean or English.

Personally, I know I will always remember the release of this album and the week that followed: the emotions it stirred in me, the excitement, the genuine joy. I can only hope that this album brings them the same sense of fulfilment they set out to find.