BTS Reveals Track List for 5th Album 'ARIRANG'; Title Track Is 'SWIM'

BTS is returning with “SWIM,” a song that centers on love for life.

BTS on March 4 released the track list for its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” on the group’s official social media accounts. The image pairs the album logo with a red tape-like graphic.

The 14-track album includes the title song “SWIM,” along with “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ’bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please” and “Into the Sun.”
BigHit Music said “ARIRANG” brings together BTS’ identity and the emotions built over the group’s journey. “SWIM” is an upbeat alternative-pop track about pressing forward through life’s waves, moving at one’s own pace rather than fighting the current. RM participated broadly in writing the lyrics, the agency said.

“Body to Body,” the opening track, is framed as a call to enjoy the moment with concertgoers. “Hooligan” reflects time spent traveling the world and carving out a path, while “Aliens” and “FYA” convey ambition and the energy of the group’s return. “2.0” is described as showing the present of the seven members as they enter a new phase.

“No. 29” and “Merry Go Round,” placed after the title track, depict enduring life’s repeating cycles. “NORMAL” addresses feelings on and off stage, and “Like Animals” expresses a resolve to live intensely. “they don’t know ’bout us” projects confidence with the message, “We’re just us,” while “One More Night” sings of wanting to stay longer in an ecstatic moment. “Please” conveys a candid desire to be together in any situation, and “Into the Sun” closes the album with a confession of running toward “you.”

BTS worked on the album after holding songwriting sessions in Los Angeles last summer. Producers Diplo, Ryan Tedder and El Guincho, each with Grammy Awards histories, participated, the agency said.

BTS will release “ARIRANG” at 1 p.m. March 20. The next day, the group will hold “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, with the performance livestreamed on Netflix.