BTS: The Best Is What Comes Next

Seven Voices, One Global Phenomenon

BTS. The band that has single-handedly paved the way for K-pop to become a global force. They’ve broken numerous records, donated millions to charity, and dominated every streaming service. Debuting on stage on June 13th 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE), the seven member group – Kim Namjoon (RM), Kim Seokjin (Jin), Min Yoongi (Suga), Jung Hoseok (J-Hope), Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung (V), Jeon Jungkook, – has grown from a South Korean hip-hop group into one of the most influential music acts of the 21st century. 

What makes BTS stand apart from other boy bands with a dream isn't just their chart influence or stadium tours – although they were the fastest Asian band to sell out Wembley – it’s the messages behind their music. Most mainstream music promotes misogyny, boasts assets or falls flat with generic heartbreak, whereas BTS dive so much deeper into the menagerie of issues that are fired at young people. This concept was introduced with the meaning of the band's name itself. BTS isn’t just three random letters of the alphabet. Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates to bulletproof boy scouts, signifies the group's desire “to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets,” ~ J-Hope. They explore everything from the turmoil of youth, identity, mental health, self-love, and societal pressures, resonating with millions worldwide.

BTS are more than a band, they’re a movement. Their fandom, known as ARMY – Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth – stretches across the world, transforming album releases into global events and proving that music has no borders. What began as a passionate community of listeners quickly evolved into one of the most organised and devoted fanbases in modern music. From coordinating campaigns such as the Purple Ribbon to prevent mobbing and potential harm at airports, to selling out entire world tours in minutes, ARMY has become an undeniable force.

The Voices That Shaped Them

Like all great artists, BTS didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Their sound and message have been shaped by a wide range of diverse influences. Early on, hip-hop played a defining role, with each member drawing inspiration from many major artists. So, who are they? I hear you ask. Let's go through them! From A$AP Rocky and Eminem, to Queen and BIGBANG - another K-Pop great, the names stretch far and wide. They are also influenced by a lot of literature and psychology, evident in their lyricism and concepts like Dr. Murray Stein’s Jung’s Map of the Soul, and Hermann Hesse’s Demian.

 Most of all, they take inspiration from each other, forming a creative dynamic that has become one of their greatest strengths. Rather than relying solely on external influences, the members consistently look inward. They push each other creatively, creating a cycle of mutual inspiration. This is especially evident in the relationship between J-Hope and Jungkook. Jungkook has frequently credited J-Hope’s discipline, stage presence, and distinct musical identity as major influences on his solo career. In this way, their individual projects are not created in isolation but are deeply connected. Each member’s evolution feeds into the others’, resulting in a group dynamic where personal growth and collective success are constantly reinforcing one another.

The Journey That Built an Empire

Okay, let’s get into it. Over 25 albums. 10 studio albums. 6 EPs. 13 years. 7 members. 

Their debut album 2 Cool 4 Skool, released on June 12th 2013, introduces their raw and hip-hop-driven sound. The album focuses on the pressures faced by youth, especially surrounding education and expectations. It features No More Dream and We Are Bulletproof Pt.2, which are its top tracks, (and two of my personal favourites!) Moving on to the release of O!RUL8,2? in the same year, which encourages listeners to chase their own dreams rather than conforming. BTS also questions the rigid life paths that are imposed on young people in tracks N.O and Attack on Bangtan.

Skool Luv Affair (2014) brings a more playful tone. They explore teenage love and relationships in Just One Day and Boy In Luv, while still addressing youth struggles in Spine Breaker. Dark & Wild (2014) was their first studio album, released on August 20th, with the lead track Danger and the follow up as War of Hormone (another personal favourite!) It’s so musically diverse, diving into themes of love, heartbreak, and jealousy, while blending hip-hop with R&B and rock. I feel this album marks a step forward into BTS becoming slightly more mature.

Now we get into the ‘Most Beautiful Moment in Life’(HYYH) series, featuring three amazing albums. Pt. 1 begins a pivotal era, focusing on the uncertainty of youth. We have a wide range of songs that balance energy, friendship, and anxiety in the likes of Dope, I Need U, and Converse High. Pt. 2 becomes darker, reflecting on confusion and temptation, letting the storytelling in this era become more complex with Butterfly and Outro: House of Cards. Finally we have Young Forever, a concluding compilation. This puts emphasis on nostalgia and the desire to hold onto youth, introducing Save Me and Burning Up (Fire). 

We then come to Wings (2016), which is inspired by Demian - Hermann Hesse and personal growth. Each member has a solo track on this album, showcasing their individual styles, as well as the key tracks Blood Sweat & Tears, 21st Century Girl and BTS Cypher 4. An extension of the Wings album is You Never Walk Alone (2017), adding comfort and solidarity with Spring Day and Not Today.

Jumping from one series to another, we hit the ‘Love Yourself’ era with Her, Tear, and Answer. Her (2017) introduces a chapter of the vulnerability of falling in love, and I couldn’t choose a top three from this album alone, most of my favourites are from this series! Tear (2018) is the darker counterpart, showing heartbreak and the pain of losing yourself with songs like Fake Love and The Truth Untold. Finally we have Answer (2018) which closes with self-love and acceptance. It brings together themes into empowerment, producing hits like Just Dance and Idol, as well as the remix of Mic Drop with Steve Aoki.

We now have our final series - ‘Map of the Soul’, inspired by Carl Jung’s theory and Dr. Murray Stein breaks it down in Persona, Shadow, and Ego (this information is important, don’t you worry!) Persona (2019) explores the different masks people wear, with a lighter tone for songs like Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey), Mikrokosmos, and Make It Right. 7 (2020) is a personal album, reflecting on the group's seven year journey. It tackles fame, disconnection, and emotional complexity. On this album we have Intro: Persona, Interlude: Shadow, and Outro: Ego, all by BTS’s rapline, and all are the components of Jung and Stein's theories! 

And now, we launch into their final album before Arirang, BE (2020). Created during the start of the COVID-19, BE perfectly captures the feelings of global isolation and uncertainty, as well as providing an air of comfort to us all. We got to see a very vulnerable side to all of the members in the likes of Blue & Grey, which I remember crying to when it first came out! Of course in between BE and Arirang, we heard Butter, Dynamite and Permission to Dance amongst others, which broke major records and topped charts!

Arirang: A New Era Begins

An album ARMY has waited four years for - after Proof (2022), ‘Arirang’ is believed to be derived from an old term for “the hill” - which refers to the metaphorical Arirang Ridge, a symbolic mountain pass in Korean folklore which is famously referenced in Korea’s national folk song Arirang. It represents a journey through sorrow, hardship, and hope. 

Most artists just release an album, maybe fans will get a pre-release if they’re lucky. But ARMY? We were fedddd! Before the album's release on March 20th, we were given multiple teasers from as early as July 2025 when BTS announced that after their solo projects, they had returned to the studio. August 22nd album confirmation via Weverse, and on New Year’s Eve, fans in South Korea with a Gold Member status received postcards teasing the comeback date. January 4th, HYBE announced the comeback and the world tour. The album title was then revealed on January 15th, with HYBE stating that Arirang “captures BTS’ identity as a group that began in Korea.” January 19th revealed the cover, a greyed out black and white photo with seven suits discernible from the black and white. Each silhouette contained voice messages that could be unlocked by clicking on where their faces would be. 

On February 14th, for promotion, thousands of roses were distributed through major cities like Los Angeles, London, and Seoul. Once the roses were taken, the installations revealed the question “What is your love song?”. They partnered with Google Search for a scavenger hunt on March 4th, with more quests unlocking on March 9th and 16th. Searching ‘BTS’ gave you a blue ship in a bottle, which when clicked, launched an interactive trivia feature to earn cards with member-written song titles. On March 3rd, the album’s track listing and production credits were released, and a final Spotify scavenger hunt was announced on March 13th. Decoding Arirang hid eight fragments hidden throughout the app. Alongside these personal messages which gave us information on the title track, we also unlockable concept photos.

My Track-By-Track Thoughts: What Is My Love Song?

Body to Body

So, I had already mentally prepared for this track after the MArch 13th trailer, and it still exceeded all of my expectations. The beat hits immediately, and RM opening in English with “I need the whole stadium to jump” sets the tone perfectly. We’re urged to be present and fully immersed in the moment. Yoongi follows by briefly grounding the track, acknowledging the chaos of the outside world while still encouraging release and enjoyment. The chorus softens the intensity, offering a more intimate pause before the track begins to build again. The female backing vocals in the second half stand out so much: their isolation in the bridge leading into “Arirang, arirang, arariyo” struck me. The fusion of traditional singing and instruments with the modern, heavy beat feels deliberate and cohesive, culminating in a powerful crescendo. All I have to say is ARMY? We need to learn that entire korean verse for the tour, we have our work cut out for sure. The return to the first verse before the close gives the track a cyclical, almost live-performance feel – I can already picture the impact it’ll have on stage. 

Hooligan

This track marks a sharp tonal shift, leaning back into BTS’s earlier, more rebellious sound. It’s gritty, rap-driven, and unapologetically intense. The opening sound of knives sharpening is dramatic but effective, immediately establishing a sense of tension before the heavier beat drops beneath J-Hope’s delivery. The concept of the “hooligan” operates as a rejection of perfection and societal expectation, embracing chaos and nonconformity in a way that feels reminiscent of their earlier work. It is rhythmically driven and deliberately unpolished, refusing to soften its edges. It is also one of those tracks that demands physical engagement, it’s so difficult to listen without moving!

Aliens

Aliens is a direct and unapologetic confrontation, they’re MAD mad. There is no subtlety here, and I find that is precisely its strength. The track feels reminiscent of BTS’ earlier years, especially with the lyrics and the tone. Yoongi, in particular, addresses critics – journalists, media outlets, and detractors – who have consistently attempted to discredit the group. His use of "civilians" is both clever and pointed, and the critique feels especially aimed at Western media that has historically undermined BTS due to language and cultural differences. Beneath the frustration is a clear confidence. The success, the global audience, and the sheer impact speaks for itself. References to the racism and superficial comments on their appearance add further weight. The inclusion of military-like pacing at the end reinforces the track’s structure and message. It is bold, confrontational, and entirely justified.  

FYA

I will admit I am completely obsessed with this track. It captures a sense of controlled chaos that feels perfectly suited to a live, club-like environment: heavy bass, pulsing energy, and a relentless forward momentum. RM’s opening establishes a confident tone, and the production carries that energy throughout. Structurally, it is relatively simple, but that simplicity works in its favour – the repetition and high pitched chorus make it immediately memorable. I really appreciated the Michael Jackson and Britney Spears references, which place BTS within a broader lineage of pop performance and spectacle. The implied dance break is a clear highlight, and it’s difficult not to anticipate how this could translate live, part of me is praying it’ll lead into Fire, and if it does I’m passing out.

2.0

2.0 operates as a more restrained but equally confident statement. Sonically, it shares similarities with Aliens, though it feels more controlled and deliberate. Lyrically, it reads as a reflection on their return following military service, subtly addressing the industry with a sense of quiet authority. There are underlying suggestions of reclamation – of space, influence, and identity. RM’s “came back for what’s mine” encapsulates this sentiment so well. It doesn’t rely on overt intensity; instead, its confidence lies in its restraint, which ultimately makes its message more impactful.

No. 29

Ok, let's unpack. At first glance No 29 feels almost absurd: two minutes, no lyrics, just the sound of a gong. And yet, it debuted at number 11 on the global spotify chart with 6.5 million streams. But when you consider the reference to the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok – the 29th national treasure of South Korea – it takes on a completely different weight. Cast in 771 AD during the Silla dynasty, the bell is renowned for its size and its incredibly rich, resonant tone, often described as haunting. Framing the track around a single, sustained sound suddenly feels far more intentional. It becomes less of a joke and more of a cultural statement. It reads as both a nod to South Korean heritage and a commentary on presence: that something so minimal can still command attention on a massive scale. Positioned at the midpoint of the album, it also acts as a transition, marking the shift from the rap-heavy first half to the more vocal-driven second. It’s understated, slightly ironic, but ultimately very clever – and honestly, I love it even more knowing the context.

SWIM
As the title track, SWIM represents a clear tonal shift within the album. It moves away from rap-heavy production in favour of a more vocal-centred, emotionally driven sound. The accompanying music video with Lili Reinhart is visually striking, and the conceptual framing is particularly compelling. The ocean functions as a metaphor for emotional depth, while land represents harsher external realities. Importantly, “diving in” is not framed as escapism, but as an active choice to confront and engage with those emotions. This interpretation aligns closely with the relationship between BTS and ARMY, adding an additional layer of meaning. The track is understated but powerful, and ultimately very affecting.

Merry Go Round
Merry Go Round stands out as one of the album’s more sonically experimental tracks. Its production is intentionally disorienting, with shifting elements that resist settling into a predictable structure. This instability mirrors the song’s thematic focus on repetition, stagnation, and the cyclical nature of adulthood. It captures that tension between external composure and internal exhaustion – the expectation of having clarity and control, contrasted with the reality of ongoing uncertainty. The result is a track that feels emotionally heavy, but in a quiet, deeply resonant way.

NORMAL
As the only explicitly rated track, NORMAL carries a distinct rawness. It interrogates the emotional cost of fame, particularly the ways in which negative experiences – criticism, pressure, and even self-destructive tendencies – become normalised. Jimin’s opening verse establishes a sense of vulnerability, while Yoongi challenges the idea of performative happiness. RM’s contribution in the second verse is particularly striking, addressing the strain of expectation and public scrutiny. The reference to “make me bulletproof” serves as a subtle nod to their broader identity. The track is uncomfortable at times, but intentionally so – it is honest, reflective, and compelling.

Like Animals
This is, without question, my favourite track on the album. The decision to have the rapline sing adds a new dimension to their performance, highlighting a different aspect of their artistry. The song explores themes of release, vulnerability, and emotional honesty, encouraging a shedding of restraint. References to the “shadow” self introduces a psychological depth, linking back to earlier conceptual work. At the same time, the track celebrates freedom, embracing imperfection and relinquishing control. Namjoon’s framing of this loss of control as something potentially beautiful is so effective. The layered vocals towards the end are exceptional, and the guitar line, which closely follows the melody, adds a raw, almost plaintive quality. It is a striking and deeply resonant track.

they don’t know ‘bout us
This track balances intimacy with a larger, more expansive sound. The opening, led by Jimin sounding like a 1950s-inspired sample, creates a sense of nostalgia that contrasts with its contemporary message. It addresses the disparity between public perception and private reality, pushing back against external narratives imposed on the group. The repetition of “they don’t know ‘bout us” reinforces this divide, carrying both defiance and fatigue. It resists the pull of trend-driven production, instead prioritising authenticity and substance.

One More Night
One More Night is one of the album’s most atmospheric and emotionally vulnerable tracks. Its nocturnal, almost dreamlike quality creates a sense of quiet intimacy. RM’s opening line immediately establishes the central tension: the desire to hold onto a fleeting moment while knowing it cannot last. This awareness runs throughout the song, shaping its emotional core. J-Hope’s bridge, with its reference to Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, introduces imagery of light within darkness, positioning the subject as a source of stability and illumination. The track during his bridge also reminds me of Just Dance, anyone else get that vibe?

Please
Please really surprised me with how atmospheric it felt.  It unfolds slowly, allowing each emotional layer to fully develop. At its core, the track is a plea for love to endure despite external pressures that threaten to disrupt it. The repeated imagery of devotion and surrender – “I’m on my knees,” “even hell, I’m down” – emphasises the intensity of that commitment. Yoongi’s verse, in particular, conveys a sense of unwavering resolve. The song’s refusal to rush enhances its emotional impact, making it one that reveals more with repeated listening.

Into the Sun
Into the Sun feels like a hug. That’s the only way I can describe it. The central metaphor of moving from darkness into light is quite simple, but it’s executed beautifully, framing the journey as one of growth and renewal. The use of a vocoder on the vocals adds a warped, experimental texture – which I believe was suggested by V – that complements the theme. It really feels like walking with someone going through really tough times and seeing them reach peace. Rather than building to a dramatic climax at its center, the track consistently returns to a softer, more restrained state, which enhances its sense of calm. The ending for me was particularly moving, carrying a feeling of resolution and emotional release. It’s safe to say I cried!