BTS Releases First Album in 6 Years "Arirang": Stream It Now

BTS has finally released "Arirang," their first album in six years, marking the long-awaited comeback of the world’s biggest boy band.

Consisting of the 14-track sequence with production from Diplo, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Ryan Tedder, the LP released Friday showcases RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook in a more mature, artistically refined light than ever before.

The septet kept anticipation high by declining to release a single ahead of the record, dropping tracks “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,” and “Into the Sun,” all at once.

The Bangtan Boys’ last full set, "Be," debuted in 2020 and produced hits “Life Goes On” and “Dynamite.”

The album marks the group’s reunion following a nearly four-year hiatus, during which the members completed their South Korea’s mandatory military servic while staggering solo releases.

After the last of the members were discharged, the group almost immediately got back in the studio.

In a GQ cover story ahead of the release of "Arirang," Suga promised the album would feature a “diversity of genres,” while RM called it “truly the whole package.”

Later, BigHit Music, the agency behind the K-pop supergroup, explained the inspiration behind the LP’s title, which is borrowed from the name of a traditional Korean folk song. “Transcending time and generations, the song has long been associated with emotions of connection, distance, and reunion,” a January press release stated, calling Arirang “a deeply reflective body of work” that explores BTS’ “Identity and Roots.”

Now that the album is finally here, BTS will proceed with a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Saturday.

Afterwards, the group will travel to New York City for a Spotify fan event followed by appearances on back-to-back episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In April, the band will kick off a sprawling stadium tour of the globe.

Listen to "Arirang" below.