The wait of the decade officially concludes. Following the completion of their mandatory military service, the global icons of BTS announce their grand return with a new studio album, Arirang. Releasing March 20 via Big Hit Music, this marks the septet’s first full-band project in six years, following the chart-topping success of 2020’s Be.
A Powerhouse Production Lineup for ‘Arirang’
The BTS Arirang tracklist reveals a staggering list of Western collaborators, signaling a sophisticated shift in the group’s sonic direction. Fans of psychedelic pop will notice Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), who takes the helm as writer and producer on the track “Merry Go Round.”
The experimental energy continues with:
-
El Guincho: The Rosalía collaborator lends his signature touch to “Hooligan.”
-
Mike WiLL Made-It: The hip-hop titan produces “Aliens” and “2.0.”
-
JPEGMAFIA: The rap provocateur joins forces with Diplo and Flume for the intriguing track “FYA.”
-
Ryan Tedder & Diplo: The duo behind global pop anthems dominates the opener “Body To Body.”
Is ‘SWIM’ the Lead Single?
While the 14-track sequence features heavy hitters, eagle-eyed ARMY members spotted a major clue on social media. In the official graphic shared on Instagram and Weverse, the seventh track, “SWIM,” stands out in black while all other titles appear in red. The inclusion of the hashtag #BTS_SWIM suggests this track serves as the spearhead for the Arirang era.
The Return of the Septet
Despite the high-profile guests, RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook remain the heart of the project. Every member holds writing credits across the album, ensuring that the “Arirang” spirit—a nod to traditional Korean heritage—blends seamlessly with their new global experimentalism.
Arirang Tracklist:
-
Body To Body
-
Hooligan
-
Aliens
-
FYA
-
2.0
-
No. 29
-
SWIM
-
Merry Go Round
-
NORMAL
-
Like Animals
-
they don’t know ’bout us
-
One More Night
-
Please
-
Into The Sun