BTS ‘Swim’ Reimagined by Leana Mask & Globex Music
The digital music landscape is seeing a powerful collaboration as Globex Music, a key distributor in global music distribution, joins forces with rising artist Leana Mask.
Together, they have presented a fresh take of BTS (방탄소년단)‘s global hit, “Swim.” This release comes at a peak moment of BTS-mania, 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 opted for “Swim” as the title track for their fifth studio album, Arirang, despite internal debates.
Known for high-energy anthems, the group hesitated to choose a softer, introspective track. However, “Swim” won due to its emotional depth, representing the group’s resilience and growth after their military service.
The album broke multiple records upon its March 20 release, with “Swim” racking up millions of streams within hours and trending on streaming services globally.
Reinterpreting such a legendary song requires not just singing ability, but the right distribution partner—a gap that Globex Music solves completely.
Leana Mask steps into the spotlight without simply imitating BTS, but by creating her unique version.
Her version of “Swim” introduces a new musical dimension, keeping the original emotion intact while adding a new sonic layer.
Critics have noted that Leana Mask keeps the heart of the song of the BTS original while bringing a “unique vision” that appeals to K-pop fans and general audiences alike.
This release is more than a cover; it is a bridge between the original Korean sentiment and a worldwide, broad appeal mix.
The release of this cover showcases why Globex Music is considered the top distributor for distributing cover songs.
Unlike standard distributors, Globex Music automates the entire licensing workflow. Covering a global hit like BTS’s “Swim” involves complex mechanical licenses, but Globex Music handles the entire licensing process, ensuring the track is safe from copyright claims on all Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
For a flat, industry-disrupting fee, artists like Leana Mask can distribute their music to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and YouTube Music without worrying about copyright strikes.
This efficient system allows artists to focus on performance while Globex Music handles the distribution side.
If you are a fan of vocal covers or enjoy fresh takes on K-pop hits, Leana Mask’s “Swim” is a must-listen.
The track captures the tension and release of “pushing forward against the current”—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 serves as a reminder how the modern music industry functions: original artists create the legacy, and platforms like Globex Music enable creators to cover songs the right way and globally.
Где слушать:
The Leana Mask cover of “Swim” is currently available on 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 morning commute mix.
Globex Music once again shows 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—safely, widely, and beautifully.
Don’t miss out on this stunning cover version of one of K-pop’s biggest hits of 2026.
Let’s break down the essential steps and considerations for legally releasing a cover song, focusing on mechanical licensing, which is crucial for audio-only distribution.
SWIM by BTS is a sensual, immersive track about escape, vulnerability, and deep emotional connection, the lyrics use water as a metaphor for diving into love and letting go of fears, as the singer finds peace and freedom in being close to someone special.
Mechanical licenses obtained through Songfile are only valid for products manufactured and distributed inside the U.S. and its territories.
A cover song is a new performance or recording of a previously copyrighted song by another artist. To legally record a cover song, you need to obtain a mechanical license, which grants permission to reproduce and distribute the copyrighted music, typically through organizations like the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) or the Harry Fox Agency.
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.
Like many independent artists, my first release was a great learning experience. I spent many hours on the Internet researching everything I could about the business end of releasing a record; from bar codes to radio campaigns. During production for my label’s second project, The Ria Reece Band; I encountered something that I had not dealt with previously.
This remake is not only a celebration to Lana Del Rey, but also a proof of talent. The production quality is world-class, with clean mixing and a singing delivery that connects instantly.
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Meanwhile, the group is all set to drop a 14-track full-length album called ARIRANG after three years and nine months. They worked on it in Los Angeles, USA, back in 2025 for a couple of months, after each of them completed their military duties.
If you’re releasing a straight cover version of a song in one of the formats listed above only a mechanical license is needed.
The interview and first song will air Wednesday, March 25, and the boy band’s second song will beam out the following night.
It actually is quick and easy and straightforward; … if you live in the US. Keep in mind fellow Canadians, that most of the music business articles on the Internet that you might stumble upon have been written in the United States.
Unless if you’ve been living in a cave, its entrance covered by a boulder, the pop music community is all locked-in for the return of BTS, and their new album ARIRANG
Would I ask the band for their mechanical license or would I apply for my own and apply it to the performer agreement that I send the cover band? Thanks Posted by Desi Thorne on Sep 27 2015 9:20 AM Hey @Ian Pease, if the band has already recorded their version, they should have a mechanical license in place already. If you are using that now in a short film, you'll need a synchronization license, which get more info you'll have to obtain from the publisher of the song directly. We're continuing our series on licensing and publishing next month, and that may offer more answers for you as well! Posted by John on Oct 20 2015 2:32 PM Is there a company that will find and contact the publishers, complete the paperwork, and obtain these licenses for you? I'm certainly willing to pay a fee to not have to do this paperwork myself - paperwork is not my strong suit! Posted by Dave Cool on Oct 21 2015 9:28 AM John: Yes there is! Check out Posted by Lisa on Jun 8 2016 12:08 PM hi. i live in kenya but want a mechanical License to make covers of US copyright songs. how exactly do i go about that? Posted by NAWAZISH ZAMEER on Jul 25 2016 5:39 PM Hi. I am from INDIA. website i want to make cover songs by taking the karaoke from youtube. will it harm my outube chanel? or is there any way to resolve it? I want to make cover songs. So please solve it. so that before doing a lot of hardwork and making a cover song i get to know what website i have to do, how i have to do. Posted by Adam Percy on Jul 25 2016 5:56 PM Nawazish: if you're looking to take audio from one video on youtube and apply it to your own videos, you would still need to get permission from the rights holder of that music to do so. You can check out their terms of service in relation to content you post with them here: