XG Release Debut Full-Length Album 'The Core – 核'

Rosa Gulliver
4 days ago
3 min read

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | January 24, 2026

XG Release Debut Full-Length Album 'The Core – 核'

Global hip-hop/R&B-inspired group XG release their long-awaited debut full-length album, THE CORE – 核. In celebration of the release, the group has also unveiled the official music video for their new single, “HYPNOTIZE.”

THE CORE – 核 serves as a defining artistic statement for XG, moving beyond trends and surface aesthetics to reveal the group’s deepest creative foundation. The 10-track album includes previously released fan favourites such as “GALA” and “4 SEASONS,” while introducing a bold new sonic chapter that reflects the group’s continued evolution. The release follows a banner year for XG, who in 2025 made history as the only Japanese artists to perform at Coachella, closing the Sahara stage to widespread acclaim, and recently made their U.S. television debut with a standout performance of “GALA” on the Season 28 finale of NBC’s The Voice.

The new single “HYPNOTIZE” is a house-driven track blending ethereal textures with rhythmic piano lines. Built around the themes of fascination and hypnosis, the song creates an immersive experience that drifts between reality and dreams. Designed to pull listeners inward, the track functions as a cinematic centrepiece, drawing audiences toward the emotional and sonic core of the album.

The accompanying music video visualizes the world of THE CORE – 核, depicting a journey toward the group’s deepest inner realm. Using the deep sea as a metaphor for places unreachable by humans, the video expresses a profound, internal universe hidden beneath the surface. While XG’s past works often explored the theme of space, the deep sea presented here shares the same sense of the unknown, reinforcing the essential themes that have long defined the group’s creative universe.

The video opens by drawing viewers in through the members’ gaze and voices, then gradually descends into deeper layers of consciousness in sync with the music. Spiral motifs appear throughout, visually expanding the sensation of surrendering to the sound and heightening immersion. Scenes filmed underwater further enhance the hypnotic atmosphere, intuitively expressing the process of sinking into a deeper world and amplifying the video’s cinematic impact.

In celebration of the album’s release, XG will also partner with Complex to host an exclusive U.S. pop-up experience at Complex LA on January 24 and 25. The two-day event will invite fans to step inside the world of THE CORE, featuring immersive, fan-focused activations including live screen printing, photo opportunities, limited-edition merchandise from Japan, and collectible music items, with additional surprises to be revealed. The pop-up will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Complex LA (433 N Fairfax Ave), with RSVP available in advance (entry not guaranteed; early arrival encouraged).

XG will kick off their second world tour, XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE, in Japan on February 6, with more dates to be announced, including North America, Europe, UK, Latin America, and more.

With THE CORE – 核, XG formally evolve from “Xtraordinary Girls” to “Xtraordinary Genes,” redefining their essential energy and ushering in a powerful new era for the group.

About XG

XG is a 7-member hip-hop/R&B-inspired girl group formed by XGALX consisting of JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. The group name "XG" represents "Xtraordinary Girls," empowering people from various backgrounds worldwide through their boundary-breaking style of music and performance. Since their March 2022 debut with the single "Tippy Toes," they have achieved numerous global milestones, including becoming the first Japanese artists to reach No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot Trending Songs Powered by Twitter" weekly chart and the first Japanese girl group to grace the cover of Billboard magazine. Their 2nd Mini Album AWE, released in November 2024, marked their first entry on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In 2024-2025, they embarked on their first world tour, "XG 1st WORLD TOUR 'The First HOWL,'" performing 47 shows across 35 cities in 18 countries and regions, culminating with the Tokyo Dome performance on May 14, 2025. In April 2025, they were the only Japanese artists to perform at Coachella, where they closed the Sahara stage and received acclaim from numerous domestic and international media outlets.