BTS – ARIRANG (Albumrezension: 5,3/10) @ Pitchfork (260324)

Haven’t read yet but it’s 3 more than I was expecting from this author.

The review is fair (I still remember how haters spread that the „unannounced“ score for this album is 2.1 LOL) and I get that he feel disappointed by the album, as the reasons are clearly stated like quite many ARMYs or casual listeners). All I wish is BTS would create and involve more on their songs in the future. Though what I disagree the most is his dislike to Like Animals and they don’t know ‚bout us.

About what I’d rate it as well. To be clear, because I guess I have to, I don’t agree with the excessively critical takes this reviewer presents, I just agree with the rating score. I gave it a real honest go multiple times but I walked away with 2 songs in my playlist. It just didn’t really feel like a comeback album. Not saying it’s terrible or anything. But the weight of the wait and the concept they put out didn’t match up to what was delivered.

I think there’s just a disconnect with pop albums coming out right now in general. The new Harry Styles record, the Bruno record. Nothing’s sticking or connecting.

I still think this album is better than MOTS:7 so unfortunately can not agree on this.

Pitchfork seems quite 5 enthusiastic this year in terms of big pop releases (Harry, Bruno now BTS). Im stating to think their actual number system doesn’t make much sense when looking year-over-year. Some years its the 6 range as the go to default.

I personally don’t agree with the constant need to judge is BTS too westernized especially with songs on an album that speak to their own experiences, but alas to each his or her own.

Acting like No.29 is the most interesting song on an album. That’s a choice.

I honestly do wonder if the reviewer even actually reviewed the lyrics some of these songs as he seems to think the only culturally relevant songs are Body to Body & No.29. Those two songs have overtly Korean elements making it easy to say “oh that must be something Korean”, but then there is Aliens. That is a song overtly about their experience being othered in the US and has multiple cultural references. I mean I would give it a 6 just for calling out “people with those big eyes” Did he even read it?

Might get whacked for this but this is honestly a fair review. The album could’ve been a lot more meaningful, something I realized after reading Howard University’s article, but what we got sort of just feels like another derivative, messy K-pop album where Black culture gets commodified and the songs lack cohesion sonically and thematically (not to mention that the lyrics aren’t the best which I think could’ve been prevented if there was more Korean, since BTS is so popular having subpar English lyrics kind of just doesn’t go well, especially with the Western audience, but of course not everyone cares about deep lyrics so to each their own). Btw Body to Body really should’ve been the title track oml😭 Like literally the Arirang sample is perfect aside the song being a 10/10 banger

i’m not on twitter other than to buy photocards, but i saw some people talking about this guy acting up on there, and omg? i guess i’ve been out of the loop because i’m genuinely shocked to see what he’s saying, seemingly unprompted. like, why would he tweet [this](https://x.com/misterminsoo/status/2035888474557939714?s=20) after sharing that he’s reviewing their album? or quote himself with [this](https://x.com/misterminsoo/status/2035351761720938620?s=20) just to troll bts fans? jeez bad vibes…

i don’t engage much with critical journalism of any kind and everyone is entitled to their opinion, so i’m not commenting on that—just taken aback by the sns stuff (⊙︿⊙)

Lol it’s that bts hater I’m not surprised.

I really disagree with him. I think his criticisms on some of the overproduction and genre plays are fair enough, but there is plenty of fire and heart to the delivery and specifically the LYRICS of some of the songs. Honestly, from the review, it seems like he didn’t bother to read the lyrics, and I feel like that’s just not how you can properly review BTS.

That so many Western critics have failed to pick up the defiance of the lyrics of Aliens, and how it serves as an extension of the song Arirang (a song of resistance as much as longing for home), is baffling to me. But maybe proves the points BTS makes in it.

If I’m being honest, the album was a ‚little bit of this, little bit of that‘ kinda album. It has its good parts, mid parts and bad parts. So I think I’d rate it about 5-6 as well though I dunno how to feel about this person’s review

„Sometimes, all a song needs to do is make you believe in something—love, transcendence, yourself—but ARIRANG’s messages repeatedly ring hollow, like birthday emails from a mega corporation.“

Exactly

He could give them a 10/10 and it still would have no relevance when he’s shown himself to be an actual hater. It’s just pathetic to see people bending over backward to defend him and his comments just because BTS is getting the brunt of it.

That’s the highest he could’ve awarded , them , the article though could’ve been a little softer and not wannabe savage… I am ok with them , wouldn’t even have been surprised if he gave BTS a 2 to please his people

I wouldn’t mind having another  obnoxious critic than a freelancer critic all bc he’s korean & has hatred for BTS only. Even the Guardian critic who always been critical of BTS releases had depth than this but whatever.