"Showed their presence": BTS's 'ARIRANG' named 'Best Album of 2026' by U.S. Rolling Stone and U.K. NME

*This content was translated by AI.

BTS's fifth full-length album 'ARIRANG' has been repeatedly included in lists of the best albums of 2026 selected by major U.S. and U.K. outlets including Complex, Rolling Stone, and NME. Album evaluations extended to individual tracks, with songs such as 'Hooligan' and 'SWIM' also being selected.

U.S. pop culture outlet Complex began its coverage on the 12th (local time), followed by U.S. music magazine Rolling Stone on the 15th and U.K. music outlet NME on the 16th, each naming 'ARIRANG' as the 'Best Album of 2026.' Rolling Stone stated, "The biggest news in the global music market in 2026 is undoubtedly BTS's comeback," and added, "They have excellently translated Korean identity into music through 'ARIRANG'."

NME referred to BTS as "the world's biggest boy band," analyzing that "they have perfectly executed their signature work of intricately blending their homeland's cultural heritage with global musical influence. They have returned magnificently to the area where they excel most."

The U.K. daily newspaper The Telegraph included 'ARIRANG' in its list of 'the best albums released so far in 2026.' The Telegraph evaluated, "BTS is the face of K-pop. Returning to their hip-hop roots, they have actively infused Korea's unique cultural identity into their music." U.S. online outlet Salon also selected 'ARIRANG' as the 'Best Album of the Year,' highlighting the album's dynamic sound and the members' storytelling.

Evaluations of individual tracks also followed. Complex covered 'Hooligan' and '2.0,' while NME named 'Body to Body' as a must-listen representative track. U.S. music magazine Consequence selected 'SWIM' and 'Hooligan' as the best songs of the first half of 2026, explaining, "BTS is adept at handling diverse genres. They unleash complex rap over rough hip-hop beats, showcasing their true worth."

BTS will begin their European tour on the 26th and 27th in Madrid, Spain, with a schedule of 10 concerts across five cities. This world tour will hold 88 shows in 34 regions globally, with additional dates in Japan and the Middle East also planned.

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*This content was translated by AI.