Cover BTS is set to returns with ‘Arirang’, a 14-track album shaped by an expansive roster of global producers and in-house architects. From trap heavyweights to psychedelic pop innovators, here’s what the songwriting and production credits suggest about the group’s evolving sound (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
BTS is set to returns with ‘Arirang’, a 14-track album shaped by an expansive roster of global producers and in-house architects. From trap heavyweights to psychedelic pop innovators, here’s what the songwriting and production credits suggest about the group’s evolving sound (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
1 / 1
From Diplo and Kevin Parker to Pdogg and Ryan Tedder, the global collaborators behind ‘Arirang’ offer clues to BTS’s next sonic chapter
BTS is set to return on March 20 with Arirang, a 14-track project that signals both expansion and consolidation. Named after the centuries-old Korean folk song synonymous with longing and resilience, the album pairs the group’s core creative engine with an expansive international roster.
Pdogg and Ghstloop remain foundational in the new set, but orbiting them are Diplo, Kevin Parker, Mike Will Made-It, Ryan Tedder, Flume, El Guincho and Tyler Johnson—a cross-continental line-up spanning trap, psychedelic rock, electronic futurism and polished stadium pop.
In Arirang, six members—RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook—hold songwriting credits across the album, with RM appearing on 13 of the 14 tracks. The result is a project that appears globally scaled but internally steered.
Below, a track-by-track breakdown of who is behind each song and what their histories might suggest about its direction.
In case you missed it: Inside BTS J-Hope’s 2026 fashion partnerships and luxury collaborations so far
‘Body To Body’
Producers: Picard Brothers, Diplo, Ryan Tedder, Pdogg
Arirang’s opener is built by rhythm specialists and hook architects. Diplo’s percussive instinct and Tedder’s melodic polish suggest “Body To Body” may aim for lift-off—immediate, structured and engineered for scale.
‘Hooligan’
Producers: El Guincho, Fakeguido, Jasper Harris
El Guincho’s reputation for layered percussion and structural experimentation hints that “Hooligan” could tilt off-centre, favouring texture and tension over straightforward pop symmetry.
‘Aliens’
Producers: Mike Will Made-It, Pluss, Donut, Khaled Rohaim
With Mike Will anchoring production, “Aliens” may draw from trap’s bass-forward architecture. Expect rhythmic weight and space—potentially one of the album’s more grounded, hip-hop-driven moments.
‘FYA’
Producers: Diplo, Flume, Nitti
Flume’s warped electronic sensibility paired with Diplo’s club-rooted globalism makes “FYA” one of the record’s biggest unknowns. If their signatures remain intact, it may lean into distortion, space and unexpected structure.
‘2.0’
Producers: Mike Will Made-It, Pluss
Songwriters: RM, J-Hope, V, Jungkook, Suga and more
With both rap and vocal lines represented in the writing credits, “2.0” reads as a thesis statement. The production team suggests a rhythmic foundation; the member spread suggests cohesion. The song may function as a bridge between eras.
Don’t miss: Baifern Pimchanok’s 2026 luxury and lifestyle brand collaborations signal the rise of the Thai wave
‘No. 29’
Producers: not listed
Placed at the album’s midpoint, “No. 29” appears designed as a hinge. Sparse credit information suggests atmosphere over structure. This may act as a tonal reset before the second half unfolds.
‘Swim’ (title track)
Producers: Tyler Spry, Leclair
Framed as uplifting in early descriptions, “Swim” may carry the clarity of modern pop construction. Tyler Spry’s background in emotionally resonant songwriting suggests a balance of accessibility and sentiment rather than maximalism.
‘Merry Go Round’
Producers: Kevin Parker, Sam Homaee, Sarah Aarons
Kevin Parker introduces a psychedelic tint to the record. If his influence is pronounced, “Merry Go Round” could layer reverb, live instrumentation and melodic introspection into BTS’s pop framework.
‘Normal’
Producers: Ryan Tedder, Sean Cook
Ryan Tedder’s involvement often signals lyrical directness and melodic lift. “Normal” may sit closer to emotional pop clarity than experimentation: structured, reflective and built around vocal delivery.
‘Like Animals’
Producers: Diplo, Artemas Diamandis, Toby Daintree, Kevin White
The pairing of Diplo’s rhythmic foundation with Artemas’s darker alt-pop sensibility suggests a moodier, synth-forward energy. “Like Animals” may lean instinctive rather than glossy.
Now read: BTS Suga’s brand endorsements for 2026 so far, from Samsung to the NBA
‘They Don’t Know ’Bout Us’
Producers: Pdogg, Ghstloop, Y2K
Songwriters: Jimin, RM, Suga, J-Hope and more
This track returns fully to the in-house nucleus. Historically, that combination yields emotionally grounded, melody-first songwriting. It reads as a reminder of BTS’s origin amid expansion.
‘One More Night’
Producers: Diplo, Pdogg, Nitto
The blend of Diplo’s elasticity and Pdogg’s melodic sensibility suggests rhythmic flexibility. “One More Night” could sit comfortably between R&B undertones and polished pop construction.
‘Please’
Producer: Tyler Spry
Songwriters: RM, Suga, J-Hope and more
One of the leanest credit lists on the album, “Please” is written solely by the rap line. With a single producer attached, it may favour intimacy over spectacle.
‘Into The Sun’
Producers: Pdogg, Diplo, Tyler Johnson, Nitti, Ghstloop
Songwriters: V, Jimin, RM, Suga, J-Hope and more
Tyler Johnson’s reputation for emotionally expansive arrangements suggests a closing statement with lift. Combined with BTS’s involvement, “Into The Sun” appears positioned as a collective finale rather than a solo showcase.
Arirang stands out for the scale of its collaborator network, but the core creative presence of BTS remains central. While sonic predictions are speculative, the producer line-up suggests a wide tonal range: from hip-hop-anchored tracks to alternative pop and potentially experimental electronic textures. The full picture, however, will only emerge when Arirang arrives on March 20.
NOW READ
Becky Armstrong’s brand collabs in 2026: from Milan runways to global tech
Actor Awards 2026: the red carpet moments shaping awards season style
After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
