BTS’s recent comeback

album cover

After being gone for a long four years, BTS returned from their hiatus this March. Their comeback featured many interviews as well as a comeback tour and album. Being one of―if not the world’s biggest K-Pop group, BTS’s fans (also known as Army) had high expectations for this album.

But is it really that good? 

After listening to the entire album, I have some thoughts about it.

DISCLAIMER: ALL THE RATING AND REVIEWS FOR THIS ALBUM IS STRICTLY MY OPINION ONLY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONFIRM THAT I DO NOT MEAN ANY HARM TO BTS OR THEIR FANS, I AM SIMPLY STATING MY ENJOYMENT OF THE SONGS THEY RELEASED

1. Body to Body, 6/10

   While it’s not the best song on the album it’s also not the worst. I’d say that Body to Body was probably the best song to start off the album with. Though it isn’t much like BTS’s older work, I think it’s still a good song to listen to. Nothing much stands out about it though, and it isn’t really my style; hence the low rating.

2. Hooligan, 5/10

   If I have to say anything about Hooligan, it would be that it is bad. It’s more upbeat than I prefer, so that explains the low rating. If I have to say anything about it, I’d say that it has a good pre-chorus. The only thing saving this song is that it’s catchy.

3. Aliens, 5/10 

   It’s not good, but it’s also not atrocious (and it’s definitely not the worst song here). Aliens just…doesn’t feel right. It’s just way too loud and obnoxious for my listening pleasure.

4. FYA, 1/10

   FYA had to be the worst song on this album. You can’t get lower than this. I don’t think I can even classify this as a song, it’s just…noise. The only good thing about this song is that I have assurance it can only get better from here. 

5. 2.0, 5/10

   2.0 is probably one of the most forgettable songs on this album. There really isn't anything special about it, but I wouldn’t say that it’s good. 

6. No. 29, 10/10

   Anyone who has listened to this album is probably calling me a freak for giving No. 29 a 10/10. The reason is that this song is complete silence―well, almost complete silence. The sound you hear when you listen to No. 29 is actually South Korea’s Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, or South Korea’s 29th National Treasure. The reason why I rated this “song” 10/10 is because after this song the album gets significantly better. All the songs before this are aggressive hiphop, while after this song is what BTS is used to putting out. It also serves as a very needed pallet cleanser after everything my poor ears have been through.

7. SWIM, 8/10

   Serving as BTS’s lead single in the Arirang album, I had high hopes for SWIM. I will give it credit for being a good catchy song, but for the song that was supposed to be the highlight of their comeback it is a bit lackluster. It’s still a good song though, so I’ll give it that.

8. Merry Go Round, 10/10

   Merry Go Round has to be my absolute favorite song on this album. It’s pleasant, catchy, and has a great soft feeling to it. It’s definitely a turn from the first five songs, as it’s more mellow, as well as more my style.

9. Normal, 9/10

   Another great song from the album, Normal is more upbeat than the previous two songs, but nothing like the first few songs. It has some great lyrics with deep meaning, and is an overall amazing song from the album. 

10.  Like Animals, 7/10

    Well the song has a pleasant melody, I don’t really think it’s anything exceptional. The lyrics are also…questionable for this one.

11.  they don’t know ‘bout us, 7/10

    It’s not exceptional, but it isn’t garbage. they don’t know ‘bout us, isn’t a standout to me, but it still is a nice song. It’s catchy with a nice melody, sure, but another one of those plain forgettable ones that you don’t remember the beat to unless you really think.

12.  One More Night, 8/10

    One More Night is a good song with a nice melody and beat. It isn’t one of my favorites, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t good. There really just isn't anything special about this song that I can comment on.

13.  Please, 7/10

    It’s not a bad song, but I’d say that it just isn’t my style. It still is enjoyable to listen to and is relatively good, but it is boring to the point where I forgot it existed.

14.  Into the Sun, 6/10

    To think we were going up, only to end with this. Into the Sun isn’t bad, and it definitely isn’t anything like what was in the beginning of this album (thank God it isn’t,) but they add this weird autotune effect on their voices, and it just doesn’t hit for me. 

OVERALL RATING, 6.72/10

While not an exceptional album, Arirang still does have some catchy songs. Unfortunately most of it turns out unforgettable and bland—even trash dare I say. For a BTS comeback album, I expected a bit more. Is it bad? No. Is it good? Also no. Arirang isn’t really anything, anything but plain I suppose.