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BTS is gearing up to return with new music soon with an upcoming song holding a special meaning.
While speaking to fans during an unannounced V Live audio livestream, the seven members unexpectedly announced their plans to release a new English single next month ahead of a new album. The new digital single will be released on Korean and international streaming sites on Friday, August 21.
According to the conversation between the seven members during their livestream, they felt the “upbeat” single could offer a “breakthrough” and good energy to those around the world who are affected by the current situation—referring to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. Member V shared that the demo track was originally in English and the band themselves felt the lyrics “sounded perfect” as is, marking what very well could be the first time the full group performs on an all-English track. This would follow their Steve Aoki collaboration “Waste It on Me” that was officially credited to BTS as a full group, but did not feature vocals from every member.
No doubt that an accessible and fun summer song could help BTS accomplish even more new goals. Going for a track in English could lead to additional opportunities at more traditional platforms like radio (which continues to give them a disproportionate amount of attention based on their chart success) and television. As well, having BTS’ ARMY fanbase focusing their energy on one single—versus an entire album as has been the standard for most BTS releases— could see the track hit incredible new highs. The emphasis of the announcement being a digital single also seems to indicate that streaming will be a major component of the new track’s strategy, a key area that continues to grow for BTS and their fans.
The BTS boys added that they are preparing to release a new album to be released in the second-half of the year. This would follow up their record-breaking Map of the Soul: 7 studio album that dropped just in February.
“We also needed a breakthrough during these unforeseen times, so we worked on this new song,” they shared. “This is a new challenge for us as well. When we first heard and recorded the song, we were energized and our spirits were lifted up. We can’t wait to share this song with you all.”
The plans were confirmed by their Korean record label Big Hit Entertainment in a follow-up announcement. “We would like to thank all ARMY for your continued affection for BTS, and we ask for your love and support for the new digital single soon to be unveiled,” Big Hit wrote on BTS’ official fan-club application WeVerse.
