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BTS tops UK music charts

K -POP stars BTS recently topped the UK music charts with its comeback album and its lead single going straight to number one. BTS, who went on hiatus in 2022 so that members could complete South Korea’s mandatory military service, released its 10th studio album Arirang last week, which its record label said sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day. Arirang topped the UK albums chart as well as the vinyl albums charts, the Official Charts Company said in a statement. The seven-member group, made up of Jimin, Jung Kook, Suga, RM, V, Jin and J-hope, also topped the UK singles chart for the first time with the album’s lead single Swim . o K-pop band’s Arirang sells nearly 4 million on first day INDONESIAN alt-pop trio Elephant Kind has returned with its third studio album More Time . Its most personal and expansive record yet, the album explores transformation, longing and the search for meaning in a fast-moving world as the band enters a new global phase. Developed between 2023 and 2025, More Time reflects a period of change for the band. Written between Jakarta and London, the record captures a key moment in its journey. Self-produced and mixed, it focuses on growth, honesty and moving forward while holding on to past lessons. “We’ve released songs here and there over the past few years, but this time we’re holding a complete record we truly believe in, finally on the horizon, ready to be received and heard by the world,” said Elephant Kind vocalist Bam Mastro. The title track More Time carries a hypnotic, late-night feel. Ambient vocals and introspective lyrics shape a moody, immersive sound that pushes the band further sonically. “ More Time is hip hop, house, rock, Eastern, dance and more genres we can’t even put into words. A twist and turn of frequencies pulling you from one realm to the next. An innovation,” said Bam. More Time marks a shift and a continuation for the band. It blends alt-rock with breakbeats and softer ballads with dance-driven moments, showing a group more confident in its identity. The album was produced by Bam, with Iain Berryman co-producing three tracks including Man Enough . It was recorded in London and completed in Jakarta. Mixing was handled by Robert Adam Stevenson, with mastering by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios in London. To mark the release, the band announced Party of a Livetime, a two part album launch in Jakarta. The first event was an intimate listening

BTS is credited for helping turn Korean pop music into a global phenomenon with its upbeat songs and dances, building a huge and loyal fan base around the world.

The song’s reach extended even further in 2026 when Don Toliver prominently sampled it on his hit E85 , which climbed to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and currently tops the Hot Rap Songs chart. The album’s momentum carried directly onto the stage. In 2025, Todd also completed the sold-out Wholesome Rockstar Tour, selling more than 85,000 tickets in the US before heading overseas for shows in London, Berlin, Paris and Australia. Standout festival sets at Camp Flog Gnaw, Pitchfork Paris, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits have confirmed Todd as one of music’s most compelling young frontmen, performing with an easy charm that translates his breakout songs into crowd-sized moments. Along the way, fan favourites including Sweet Boy , Earrings and Roommates have continued to resonate widely, with all three still landing within Spotify’s Top 200 despite having come out two years ago. streamed live on Netflix, and drew 18.4 million viewers worldwide, the streaming platform said. The broadcast ranked among Netflix’s weekly Top 10 in 80 countries and topped the chart in 24 countries, it said. BTS, who kick off a global tour starting next month, made its debut in 2013 and helped turn Korean pop music into a global phenomenon with its upbeat songs and dances, building a huge and loyal fan base around the world. – Reuters

From left: V, Jin, Jimin, Suga, Yoongi and J Hope – PICS FROM AFP/BIGHIT MUSIC AND NETFLIX

Arirang also topped albums charts in Australia and Germany. As part of its comeback, BTS recently performed to tens of

turnout was far smaller than expected. The hour-long outdoor concert in Gwanghwamun Square was

thousands of fans in Seoul in its first concert in more than three years. Authorities shut down the city’s historic downtown, though

Elephant Kind unveils fresh album More Time

Malcolm Todd releases reflective new single Breathe

AFTER a breakout 2025 that saw his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, millions of streams across his self-titled album and a sold-out international headline tour, Malcolm Todd kicked off 2026 with his new single Breathe . Co-produced by Todd, the track arrives alongside an official music video directed by longtime collaborator Aidan Cullen, signalling the start of a new chapter for the Los Angeles artiste and performer. At 22 years old, Todd has quickly emerged as one of alternative pop’s most compelling young artistes, hailed by Rolling Stone as a “knockout” and “a new kind of male pop star”. Released in 2025, his album Malcolm Todd has accumulated more than 600 million global streams since its release, propelled by the breakout single Chest Pain (I Love) , which earned Todd his first Billboard Hot 100 entry and has tallied over 350 million streams worldwide.

Elephant Kind steps into a new era with a bold, tailored aesthetic that mirrors the evolving sound of its latest album More Time.

session with a semi-live DJ set, giving fans an early listen. The second, set for May, will be a full live showcase featuring the album alongside selected older tracks. Elephant Kind, made up of Bam, Bayu Adisapoetra and Kevin Septanto, continue to shape a sound that reflects its journey across cities and influences. Its work has gained attention across the region and beyond. With shows planned across Asia and a UK headline tour in September, the band continue to expand its reach with More Time . More Time tracklist includes Emotion, Plan, Exactly What I Needed, Hooked, The Ability to Listen Before You Speak, This Feeling, So Many Dayz, Love Scene, I Love The Cold Weather but Keep The Sun Around Longer, Man Enough, More Time and Strangest Thing.

Todd’s strong year from 2025 will likely continue with Breathe . – PIC BY AIDAN CULLEN

On stage in the UK, Elephant Kind channels raw energy and atmosphere, bringing its genre-blurring sound to an international crowd.