American publications Rolling Stone and Complex, along with British magazine NME, have crowned BTS’s Arirang as the album of the year.
On June 12, U.S. pop culture outlet Complex, followed by music authority Rolling Stone on June 15, and iconic British music magazine NME on June 16, all named BTS’s fifth studio album Arirang as the Best Album of 2026.
Rolling Stone declared that the biggest story in global music for 2026 is undoubtedly BTS’s comeback. With Arirang, they’ve masterfully woven Korean elements into their sound. NME lauded the group, stating that they’ve once again showcased their unparalleled ability to blend their cultural heritage with global musical influences, returning triumphantly to what they do best.
The Telegraph, a leading British newspaper, included Arirang in its Best Albums Released So Far in 2026 list, asserting that BTS remains the face of K-pop, circling back to their hip-hop roots while infusing their unique cultural identity into their music. Prominent U.S. online publication Salon also crowned Arirang as their Album of the Year.
Since their 2013 debut, BTS has released a string of hits including “Spring Day,” “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Mikrokosmos,” “DNA,” “Permission to Dance,” “I Need U,” “IDOL,” “Fake Love,” and “Fire,” amassing a massive following both in South Korea and internationally.
BTS kicked off their world tour Arirang in April and are set to begin the European leg with performances in Madrid, Spain on June 26 and 27.