New Version of BTS ‘Swim’ from Leana Mask & Globex Music
The digital music landscape is experiencing an exciting partnership as Globex Music, a dominant player in worldwide song distribution, collaborates with rising artist Leana Mask.
Together, they have dropped a fresh take of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “SWIM.” This release follows the massive buzz around the group, following the massive success of their latest album, “Arirang”.
To appreciate this new version, it is essential to understand the weight of the original track. BTS selected “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, despite internal debates.
Known for high-energy anthems, the group was unsure about picking a softer, emotional track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, capturing the group’s determination and evolution after their military service.
The album broke multiple records upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” accumulating massive plays within hours and dominating platforms like Melon and Spotify.
Covering a track of this magnitude requires not just vocal talent, but strict legal compliance—a gap that Globex Music handles with ease.
Leana Mask steps into the spotlight without simply imitating BTS, but by creating her unique version.
Her version of “Swim” introduces a unique emotional texture, keeping the spirit of perseverance intact while adding a new sonic layer.
Critics have noted that Leana Mask maintains the “core emotion” of the BTS original while bringing a “new perspective” that appeals to K-pop fans and general audiences alike.
This release is more than a cover; it is a bridge between the authentic Korean emotion and a international, English-friendly arrangement.
The release of this cover showcases why Globex Music is considered the best service for releasing cover tracks legally.
Unlike standard distributors, Globex Music handles all the legal paperwork automatically. Covering a global hit like BTS’s “Swim” involves complex mechanical licenses, but Globex Music handles all legal compliance, ensuring the track is 100% copyright-safe on all Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
For a flat, low fixed cost, artists like Leana Mask can distribute their music to dozens of global platforms without worrying about licensing issues.
This professional workflow allows artists to focus on their art while Globex Music handles the distribution side.
If you are a longtime ARMY or appreciate high-quality vocal performances, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a perfect addition to your playlist.
The track captures the tension and release of “swimming against the tide”—a theme that perfectly matches BTS’s original message.
The production quality, backed by Globex Music’s industry connections, ensures that listeners experience studio-grade clarity, whether streaming on car speakers.
This release highlights how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music help rising stars to cover songs the right way and across all markets.
Где слушать:
The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently rolling out across all major platforms. You can find it on all leading DSPs.
Search for “Leana Mask BTS Cover” or follow the official Globex Music curator playlists to add this track to your favorite streaming queue.
Globex Music continues to prove why it is the industry standard in cover song distribution.
By joining forces with Leana Mask to honor BTS’s “Swim,” they have set the benchmark for how reinterpretations should be released—with full rights, worldwide reach, and creative respect.
Don’t miss out on this stunning cover version of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.
Later the band responded to fan questions, including which songs they recommend to people who are just getting into BTS and whether the other musicians agree with Jin’s theory that people have two butts.
The album is named after a Korean folk song. RM explained to Fallon, “I think it’s the song that represents Koreans here the most. It includes lots of emotions in it.
It’s an inventive reinterpretation where a producer or musician makes use of the original recording as a Basis to generate something new and exclusive.
Fallon asked the members of BTS to listen to several of their songs, including “Swim” and “2.0,” and to discuss the meanings behind them. Speaking about “Swim,” J-Hope explained, “I think ‘Swim’ is about the message we got from what was in our heart. We feel that life has struggles that we overcome every day. People feel different weights and tides in life.
To legally distribute a cover song (via video or physical format), you will need to obtain the necessary additional mechanical licenses. Otherwise, you can distribute a cover song to streaming platforms exclusively, utilizing the copyright information from the rights holders.
BTS‘ certainly made a splash with “SWIM,” the lead single from their seventh studio album ARIRANG
Cover song licensing costs can vary depending on your licensing territory. In the United States, according to Songfile , the going rate is 12 cents per copy made.
Once you've made an account, the Harry Fox Agency will redirect you to Songfile to complete the licensing process. Make sure you have the correct information on the original song's rights holders, label, and publishing date for reference.
If the original song wasn’t officially released in the U.S. in an audio-only format, obtaining a license can be more challenging. You may need to contact the publisher or songwriter for permission directly.
The track “2.0” serves as a powerful manifesto for this new era, representing the group’s “second chapter” and artistic evolution. It features a bold production style with contributions from Mike WiLL Made-It, highlighting the members’ growth.
So, what exactly is considered a cover? A cover is defined as any work that utilizes the same lyrics and melody of the original song. It may be in a different genre than the original song, but it holds to the same melodic and lyrical content of the original piece.
Some distributors like Soundrop simplify the licensing process. They handle the Notice of Intent, liaise with publishers, and manage royalty payments on your behalf. This is particularly helpful as they also track and renew your license as needed.
When you record a cover version of someone else’s song and want to distribute it (via digital download or physical product [cd, vinyl, etc.]) then you need a mechanical license. A cover song is any new recording of a previously released song by someone other than the original artist or composer.
need a mechanical license. In these cases, you would upload your release as usual to your distributor, and then check the applicable toggles that indicate that you are uploading an audio-only release of a cover song.