Release Date: January 23, 2026
Track Listing
- XIGNAL (The Intro)
- GALA
- ROCK THE BOAT
- TAKE MY BREATH
- NO GOOD
- HYPNOTIZE
- UP NOW
- O.R.B. (Obviously Reads Bro)
- 4 SEASONS
- PS118
Review
THE CORE – 核 is XG’s first full-length album, its title combining “The Core” with the Japanese kanji 核 (meaning “core” or “nucleus”). The framing points directly to identity, presenting the album as a clear statement of who XG are rather than a loose collection of tracks.
The group’s shift in meaning from “Xtraordinary Girls” to “Xtraordinary Genes” further supports that idea, suggesting something baked into their DNA rather than something built for a single era.
First announced in August 2025, anticipation for THE CORE − 核 centred on the pre-release singles GALA and 4 SEASONS. Like previous releases, XG navigates multiple lanes within dance and urban pop crossovers with ease. Despite this, the album rarely feels like a playlist assembled after the fact.
ROCK THE BOAT, for example, is a straight-up hip-pop track that showcases XG’s strengths. With a foundation of a simple, no-frills instrumental, it oozes swagger and confidence, giving both the vocal and rap units equal room to make an impact.
Conversely, UP NOW uses an equally sparse but lighter, more driving instrumental, pushing the album forward both musically and lyrically. Where ROCK THE BOAT stays grounded and assertive, UP NOW focuses on momentum, keeping the energy moving without breaking the album’s overall tone.
If you want something purely dance-music oriented, look no further than the album’s lead single, HYPNOTIZE. Built around a four-on-the-floor groove and warm piano accents, the track brings a dose of piano-led house pop to XG’s sound.
Its club-minded production pairs naturally with the song’s seductive lyrics, locking into a groove that feels designed for the dance floor. While XG never fully leans into full-blown dance-diva territory, they don’t need to; the intent comes through clearly.
The other new song within the album’s dance-music lane worth noting is TAKE MY BREATH. Compared to HYPNOTIZE, it’s a more conventional, brighter dance-pop track. Played back-to-back, the two songs feel almost connected as if TAKE MY BREATH picks up the story after the seduction of HYPNOTIZE, shifting the mood from tension to action.
The odd duck among the album’s ten tracks is O.R.B. (Obviously Reads Bro). This rock-flavoured hip-hop cut leans into themes of unity, friendship, and loyalty, delivered with an in-your-face, attitude-heavy approach.
Personally, it’s not a song I connect with. It feels out of place within the album’s flow, and the overt “bro culture” angle is a bit beyond my frame of reference. That said, I can see how it might land with certain listeners, and in a live setting, especially with a band, it could be genuinely entertaining. It’s just not for me.
The album closes with PS118. This is not the version featuring the American rapper Rapsody, but an XG-only take with Jurin, Harvey, Maya, and Cocona handling vocal duties. The instrumental remains unchanged, with the difference coming entirely from who is performing over it. Even so, it remains a banger regardless of which version you hear.
Taken as a whole, THE CORE – 核 is at its strongest when XG lean into hip-hop confidence, controlled swagger, and dance floor pop. While one of the album’s more experimental tracks doesn’t fit seamlessly into the overall flow, that misstep doesn’t leave the album feeling unfocused. Instead, it plays like a group taking stock of who they are and making a clear statement about their identity.
