Just days after the release of their triumphant return to music, 'ARIRANG,' the members of BTS gathered inside the Rockstar Suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York to talk with Bru about the emotions surrounding their return, the lessons they learned while they were away, the making of their chart-topping album, and so much more.

Starting with the lead single, “SWIM,” BTS unpacked their now-number one album, 'ARIRANG,' saying that the track is one they connected with the most when recording in the states. “This was the track we connected with the most,” shares Jimin, “which is why we chose it as our lead single.

“What personally resonated with me was the idea that BTS is a team with room for continuous growth, one that keeps moving forward toward better music That message really stuck with me and felt just right for the lead single.”

“We felt like we have to come back with a big project,” RM reveals, when asked why the group went all out with a full album for their return. “With fresh new songs.”

Even when away from the spotlight, BTS would connect in the group chat about what the next chapter might look like, sending each other links of inspiration and ideas, according to V. The result is an album packed with collaboration and purpose, with each member quick to shout out a different track that they were most proud of.

There were a lot of emotions for both fans and the members of BTS during their time away, but the overwhelming lead of it all was imagining how it would feel to reunite with each other. “I think the first emotion or the first thought that came to mind was just curiosity about what it would be like when we get back together, and what kind of music would we do as a group?” shares j-hope. “So we just wanted to get back together as soon as possible and just get on to it.”

There were also moments of missing out along the way, wondering what would be if they were together.

“So I was the first one who got discharged from the group,” says Jin. “I went to the Paris Olympics for the torch relay. That's when Jimin's album was released when he was in the military, and I felt like it would've been really nice if Jimin got out to enjoy this and celebrate this together.”

It’s a rarity that a group the magnitude of BTS gets to experiment with solo projects as much as the members have, each bringing something new to the mix when it was time to come back. “I felt a lot of that while working on this album,” Jung Kook says. “Like j-hope mentioned earlier, that was why I have been looking forward to working together again as a group, because we couldn't be there to witness each other growing through all those experiences and time. So I was very much looking forward to this song session and then this project.”

“We just want to have a good time with the ARMY and the people that love us and listen to us,” RM reveals about the group’s legacy, something he says they have collectively discussed quite a bit.

“We just want to claim ourselves again, we started rooted in Korea, and now we're here.We're in New York, we're in Europe, we're everywhere, but still, we just wanna make it clear, we all born in Korea, started everything in Korea. We just wanted our new album and our sound from now on could be universal and eternal like the Korean traditional song.”

The group also took time to talk about what’s left on their bucket list, their Netflix special, and the role that fashion plays in the group. “Honestly, back when we first debuted, I don't think I had much room to think about things like matching the outfits to the music,” smiles j-hope. “But now it just goes shoulder to shoulder. Fashion inspires our music and I definitely think that fashion is a way to express our music in a better way.”

For much more from BTS, check out the full conversation above.

As Young The Giant prepares to reveal their sixth studio album, 'Victory Garden,' the band stopped by the Hard Rock Hotel New York to talk about their evolution over the past 15 years, and the lens from which they created their latest project.

“There's always more that we want to say,” admits Sameer Gadhia, “and we don't feel anywhere close to having said all of it. So I think there's this inevitability of an inspiration for a record and music.”

“When creating this particular record, we're really yearning to kind of come together and get back to our roots as like brothers,” adds Eric Cannata, “and kind of build community within each other, and check in with all of us where we're at, and I think our yearning to kind of be together in a room writing, recording everything, sort of echoes, at least from what you know we discussed with our family and friends and communities, what a lot of people are feeling right now is, the desire to get back to our humanity.”

“Being together and viewing the world through the eyes of our children, of all of these guys have young children, and so with that the idea of viewing the world through the lens of a child, it comes like the idea of being present with one another and having empathy for one another so we're really trying to channel that and going forward into our new writing, future writing, I think it's almost become a little bit of like what Young the Giant at its core is about, is viewing the world through the eyes of a of a child.”

“It's difficult what's going on right now in the world and I think that if we can bring that sense of humanity that we were searching for within each other that we're still searching for with each other, that hopefully people can feel at home at our shows.”

For much more from Young The Giant, check out the full conversation above. 'Victory Garden' is out everywhere on May 1.

The Pussycat Dolls are back, bringing their unshakable hits to a new generation and starting a new chapter with a massive tour and the new single, “Club Song.” The trio recently joined Mike Adam inside the Hard Rock Hotel New York for an Audacy Check In, talking about the differences between now and their 2005 success, and so much more.

When asked if there are any new fears or concerns about hitting the road today compared to 20 years ago, Nicole Scherzinger was quick to joke, “when you say fear I think of my knees, my neck, my lower back."

“I am just so excited to get back out there and the excitement is overrunning everything at the minute,” adds Kimberly Wyatt. “But the fear comes in place of just trying to get the balance right, trying to keep the mindfulness strong, trying to make sure I'm there for the kids, and they know that that mommy's still in their lives and taking them with me as much as possible, just getting that balance.”

“I think enjoying it a bit more,” Ashley Roberts chimes in. “20 years ago, you know, everything was happening so fast and our schedule was nuts and it will be so nice this time around to share the stage with these gorgeous, fabulous women and then also just soak up every moment, be present, and enjoy it a bit more.”

These fierce women might need “reminding a little bit” when it comes to the lyrics, but they noted that TikTok and the younger generation have kept PCD current. “The great thing about TikTok and this younger generation is they're still recreating fun things to our songs, but sometimes things will come up and I'm like, ‘wait, was that us? Did we say that? What was it?’” laughs Ashley. “I feel like I need reminding a little bit.”

So much has changed across the musical landscape in the past two decades, but also in the way the members of The Pussycat Dolls approach their mental health. “There's so much more awareness and I felt so I was a little lost soul back then,” admits Kimberly. “Looking for the dream and doing anything and sacrificing to just make that dream come true. But man, when your dreams come true and you realize there's a lot of inner work that still needs to be done, that is an endeavor worth taking.”

“I think we've all been on such a journey to finally arrive here, and what makes this so special is to have those experiences, be women, know our value, own our power and be able to show up. It's like, I know these girls, but we're showing up with so much work that has been done, and that is a much different showing up.”

To hear much more from The Pussycat Dolls about their return and the new track, “Club Song,” listen to the full interview above.