Here are my credentials (again): Of course, being a kpop fan, I’ve been hearing about XG for a while, and like a lot of people, Coachella was really what got my interest piqued. Besides that, though, I know almost nothing about them, and thought that this would be a good opportunity to learn more. Let’s get into it!

(Part One)

Single #8: Woke Up

I was wary of Woke Up from the moment I saw the concept photos, I admit it. The grillz on the teeth and the vaguely “Native” outfits (that seem like they’re supposed to be based on the Inuit people, but I’m not sure) are not doing XG any favors when it’s already been a good two years’ worth of music with misused AAVE and various cultural appropriation. Clearly we’re not learning. Besides that, though, I have to admit was reluctantly impressed. Not only is the MV more unique than anything before, but the lyrics are actually fairly good. They still have their fair share of cringy lines, for sure, but there are some genuinely good quips and rhymes in there, so I have to give credit where it’s due. And even though I’m not a fan of the song personally, I think that it’s definitely better than what came before. But the bar is…not high.

Single #9: Something Ain’t Right

In one of the most complete 180s I’ve seen in a group’s sound (and over the course of just two months), Something Ain’t Right throws away the EDM, the cringey rapping, and most of the fantastical aspects of Woke Up to produce a straight poppy sound that I absolutely wasn’t expecting. But hey, I’m definitely not mad at it. The song isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it’s honestly pretty good. With a pulsing electro beat and a solid mix of rap and vocals, it’s probably the most “kpop” of any of their singles, without sacrificing the sense of strangeness that been one of the best parts of their past music. Now, I may talk a big game about loving complex music (and I do), but sometimes, you need a simple, good pop song, and that’s exactly what this is.

More than that, though, it gives me an opportunity to say something important. Almost any group can pull of a song when there’s pyrotechnics going off behind them and ten different levels background noise, but it’s actually pretty difficult to make your average pop song memorable. But they’ve done it. And if ever I needed more proof that XG has the skills that make an idol, here we are.

Single #10: IYKYK

Though they’ve experimented with science fiction before, IYKYK feels like the first time XG’s gone all in. With an MV that turns the cartoonishness up to 11—literally mixing live-action with animation—and a song that nails the not-quite-right sound to a T, it seems to be the most well-thought of their concepts so far. It’s light on its feet, with a groove to it that I hadn’t realized had been missing in a lot of their past singles until I heard it here. I will say that this song feels a lot more like a b-side than a single, like an XG take on New Jeans, and while there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s not a style I’m really a fan of. Personal feelings aside though, I can appreciate that it tries something new.

EP #2: Awe

With how much I adored the concept photos for Howling (we’ll get to that in a minute), I’d be lying if I said my expectations for this weren’t through the roof. And its music video, at least, doesn’t disappoint. While I praised the creativity in IYKYK, this one goes full on dark fairytale. One thing I can say about XG is that they never half-ass their concepts. They really went for it. As for the song itself, it’s mainly a standard light electro, though the actual wolf howl in the background is a nice touch. I really like the pre-chorus, and though I wish the chorus did more with the sound, I’m happy that it seems to be cohesive all the way through. I just wish it did more, went further, and took the great ideas underpinning the chorus and made them into a catchy hook. But this is definitely one of their strongest singles as a whole.

From the EP, I enjoyed the Japanese-langauge Space Meeting Skit and the electropop sound of Is This Love. Like the first one, this is mostly composed of singles: IYKYK, Something Ain’t Right, and In The Rain, so there isn’t much to cover in the way of b-sides. I consider it much stronger than their first outing, though; if you told me the groups from Part 1 and Part 2 were the same, I’d never believe you.

An Interlude To Scream About Concept Art

So, I mentioned how much I liked the concept photos for Howling, and here they are. I was actually a bit sad at first because I didn’t think I’d have time to talk about it. And then I realized: wait. This is my blog. I can do whatever I want. So, since this is a fairly negative review, please enjoy two paragraphs of me screaming about fun concept art. If you’re not interested, go to Single #11: In The Rain.

This image above (which also functions as a thumbnail) is a composite I made of my favorite teaser images for the song, because I just couldn’t find a group photo that got the beauty across in the right way. In an era where a lot of what we see is AI, the fact that their creative team hired an artist who’s an expert in wire to craft custom-made wings for these images is just incredible.

And, I mean, just look at these! These are built sets with painted backgrounds and meticulously crafted costumes, and my theater kid self is so unbelievably happy. Besides the obvious craftsmanship on display, the creativity in designing all of it is also so much fun. As an absolute magical girl stan, I want five seasons and a movie of whatever world this is set in. Give me stat cards, Lolirock-style planetary lore, and at least ten Sailor Moon transformation sequences. Please and thank you.

Single #11: In The Rain

Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d say: XG’s done a ballad. Not even a rap-heavy one. Not a special winter one. A classic, coffee-shop pop ballad. I didn’t see it coming either. And it’s good! A bit like Winter Without You but with less drama driving it, In The Rain succeeds not just as a song but also as a performance. Another thing I never thought I’d say about this group: they’re apparently capable of doing in-depth Singing-In-The-Rain-esque umbrella choreography standing in ankle-deep water. Once again the song itself isn’t my style, but I have to give them their flowers for this level of commitment.

Single #12: Million Places

Million Places is a fan song if ever there was one, and I’d be crazy if I tried to treat it like any other single. It’s, first and foremost, not for me, and that’s alright. I can still appreciate it for what it is, and what it is is a moving, appreciative letter to the fans who have made their careers possible. This song is probably their best written, from the central hook of “All around the world, we love you in a million ways and a million places,” to the sweet, giggle-inducing “Dreamed a lot of things, now we’re right around, in different city names that we can’t pronounce.” It’s genuinely a beautiful song, and the first time while doing this review that I think I can understand the love for XG.

Single #13: Gala

Gala is actually a pre-release from an upcoming full album (XG’s first), which I’m very excited for. I always like seeing how the skills in making a single translate to the skills in making an LP. As for the song itself, we’re back to the otherworldly sounds of Howling, mixed with some of the heavy EDM from XG’s early career; it’s obviously tailor-made for the runway, not even trying to hide its vogueing inspired elements. The pre-chorus is, once again, the best part of the song, and though the chorus doesn’t quite live up to its build-up, it still works. Overall, I actually think this is pretty strong. Some of its connective tissue is a bit iffy, sure, but the strength of its performances carries it through and makes it worth a relisten.

Verdict: TL;DR

I’m glad I did this. I knew basically nothing about XG before this review, and I’m happy that I’ve changed that. I know I’ve been a bit harsh in this review, and I want to reiterate that none of my criticism is directed at the members of XG, who I think deserve most of the credit for the good in their discography. I had a great time watching their content, especially the Buzzfeed Puppy Interview, their iHeartRadio short, and them trying American foods. They seem delightful, and I’m glad that that’s the impression that will stick with me.

My Top 5 songs are Mascara, Gala, Winter Without You, Million Places, and Something Ain’t Right, with New Dance as an honorable mention. XG gets a 7.5 out of 10 from me, and before you ready your pitchforks, give me a minute to explain. There’s an unbelievable amount of creativity in their concepts, from the styling to the music videos to the sets, and so much talent, especially with the girls’ vocal and rap skills. Say what you will about XG—and I’ve said a lot—but they are singular in their dedication to their concepts, at every level. But that makes it all the more frustrating when all of that talent and dedication just doesn’t come through with the songs themselves, which so often resort to lazy posturing, anti-drops, and culturally appropriative language for shock value. XG has so much potential. With stronger material, their storylines and otherworldly concepts could put them on the same level as a group like Aespa. But instead, they seem determined to embrace style over substance, and to be blunt, it drives me crazy.

Next time, we’re onto a soloist that’s been on my list for a while. Tschüss!