@@Koko3op i don't know what to say, in" girl Gvng" You Say that the Choreo was lacking power or intensity compares to the song, and now that the b-sides ar not good enough, what are You expecting from them, whit what or who are You comparing them? Whit all due respect, because if it's just your opinion, it's not like the Xgalx staff are taking it
I respect the honest take, it's always appreciated. That being said, I think for Multi-casual XG fans it can really be jarring like you said while for Alphaz we already know XG since we also watch the behind the scenese, Xtra's etc. so we know they are still them. As someone who went to multiple cities in the US during the tour, the fan base of XG is beautifully diverse. From children to grandparents and from all types of people who where introduced to different "eras" of XG but still howled with them.
They gained a lot of fans since Wokeup, and their fanbase includes R&B and hip-hop enthusiasts. However, I’ve noticed a lot of new fans who are into pop, especially after SAR and IYIYK. To me, it’s exciting that they’re trying new things, and it’s great because their audience now spans multiple genres like R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Personally, I love all their songs so far, along with the concepts behind them.
i get what you mean. there's 7 competent singers that stick to similar range despite being able to give more fullness. i think it's a deliberate stylistic choice but i'd love to see songs in lower keys and more variety in background, even lead vocals
Yeah I think saw a youtuber that writes and sells k-pop songs that also said it could be a stylistic choice. Simon may also be intentionally holding it back so they don't "get there too fast". Seems to me their vocal production is always getting better with each mini album release.
I think one idea that’s not touched on when it comes to where they’ve gone in some of the more rap heavy tracks is this is the only way they could’ve gone. The alien theme kind of has to be at the forefront because it legitimizes all the gangster lyric stuff in a way that couldn’t be accomplished just normally. U can say opps and dominate and killer because it’s wrapped in lore otherwise it would sound disingenuous and come off silly. But this way it’s more like ur telling a story.
I'm glad you tried them again! I think it's an interesting outside take because they're one of the only ggs I've seen (haven't been into tons) where they're all allowed to fully embrace their own styles and individuality from so early on. From someone who doesn't follow them closely I can see how the change seems drastic, but personally I'd be so sad if they'd been forced to stay in their debut or even LR/shooting star phase for longer. I've never seen a group have so much fun with styling either, their concert and MV styling is exquisite. It reminds me of being young and into TLC and The Spice Girls, and later 2ne1. So fun. Also that they're allowed to really dance! Like the levels - yes get on the floor !😭 I think worrying about them being able to outdo themselves later on is a testament to how far they've pushed the sometimes stagnant industry already.
I don’t think it’s premature at all, since Girl Gvng a year ago to this now i feel is gradual enough. It could also be a testament to how much they grow every time they comeback. Maybe you don’t keep up with them enough but I feel like the change hasn’t been that quick
AHHHH ! I have missed you reacting to these girls. I know a lot of people rain down on you for certain things you’ve said and your opinions on previous releases, but I LOVE your reactions! Whether I may agree or not! I really just love the way you break down certain things and start doing “research” lol
I feel like at this point you either get/vibe with XG or you don’t. I think they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be with the amount of comebacks and releases they’ve had since debuting 2.5+ years ago. Once they established the wolf pack persona I knew it was going to become more of a unit vs individual expression type of thing. But I’m sure we’ll still have those moments sprinkled in too!
is that it is precisely a group that we are talking about, whether the girls are so talented that they can easily be soloists is another matter, I repeat, it is a group, unity is essential in a group, no one stands out above anyone else, the individual expression of which you speak, you can see it clearly in the concerts and costumes, all have a lot of solos and the vocal line changes cover every two, three stops, you can hear covers of Mariah Carey,Whitney Houston, Adele, Jessie J, Taylor Swift.
I actually think the plan for them is to run the process in reverse…I believe xg has hinted at an arc where the aliens more or less learn and assimilate more so I expect they’ve built in a kind of maturing arc into their future stuff…where some of the more heavy alien stuff falls away a bit.
That's interesting because they started to reaaaaally transform when they released Woke up and they had been out for a year and a half at that point. Everything before that was "Stripped back"; they released mixtapes, documentaries, did the Y2K vibe and then started to really get into the "story telling" and lore. They gave us time, but people didn't seem truly interested till they released their mixtapes. It deffintly is a fast progression thats for sure.
XG set out to be different from conventional kpop/jpop. I don't think conformity is something Simon or the ladies have on their radar. They are in a league of their own. I think they are exactly where they should be, given the years that they have trained together. This is just a taste of their true talent.
You need to take into account that their debut was delayed by 2 years due to COVID. I think they are where they need to be. Wish the world would take more notice of XG. Their talents are off the scale!!!
@@Koko3opPerhaps, but the average shelf life of an idol group is very short. On the business end, the subsidiary label probably needs to recoup the expenses as soon as possible. Just wishing they got more views on the “Howling” M/V. It’s epic!!
@ Well, they’re still part of the idol and music industry competing for the same money. New groups are also debuting. I hope they take over the world next year!! They’re just amazing!!
Bro just stop i know you want things slow but stop correcting they have been here for 3 whole years and every song is a banger not my fault if yuo dont think so and pls dont critisize them no need to be so corrective they know wht what their doing @Koko3op
As some have said, as someone who follows them pretty closely, I feel like they’ve looked like this basically all year. Since Woke Up. Its honestly almost time to switch up again 😂 So much of their brand (and when you hear them talk about their artist vision in interviews) is to do something new every time we see them. If you feel like they’re seeing a new XG every few months, then they’re doing their job. I don’t think their goal is to have as many fans as possible as much as it is to make the art they want to make and find the fans that enjoy what they are offering.
I totally agree with this as someone who has been following them since their debut. Everything is planned ahead and they definitely know what they are doing and what they want to put forward with each of their comeback. Only if you follow them closely like watch their interviews, see their docu and behind the scenes, only then you would be aware of they are trying to do.
I do get what you mean when you say that the progress was pretty quick, the quality is obviously well done. But we see less individuality in their newer songs and more of a persona, there’s nothing wrong with experimenting but i also wish that we can get more of it in the future again.
for individuality, go check the fancams of the solos they are doing during the concerts, remember that it is a group we are talking about, in a group there should be no egos or individuality but collectivity.
@ individuality has nothing to do with overshadowing one over the other or egos. It’s undeniable that within a group you see different personalities/characters portrayed in their songs. I can name several groups that are a great examples of this without overshadowing each other, but I’m not trying to make that comparison. The point simply is that I just wish to see more of that within the group projects cause in the end they’re active as members of a group.
I am also an ALPHAZ and I also have to respect all the opinions of the people who react because nothing is really perfect and meets everyone's music listening needs, it's okay, with people who understand music, they always give appropriate words because maybe that suits him, personally I am a normal music listener so I feel it's good so maybe I don't know much about the techniques in music, we always like reviews like this, let's go XG
MICAAAAAAH! Omg I was just telling my friends that I was hoping you would revisit XG because I was dying to know your thoughts on their new music, but I understand why you put them to the side for a while. I’ve been checking Patreon since the album dropped so to come here and see this has me way too emotional and I haven’t even watched the video yet. Let me get my life together, but happy to see you here ❤️
Love you honest reactions. Always learn alot. More of an FYI, the producers Jakops and Chancellor have said they are working through a backlog of songs from 2019. Also Simon (Jakops) said the following in regards to XG and their plans: "In a recent interview Simon had with Goethe, he explains that his vision for XG was split into phases. At the time of their debut, he wanted to make sure XG was seen as a girl group that the public would expect, hence Tippy Toes and Mascara (phase 1). Then they started working on slowly releasing XG's uniqueness with New DNA (phase 2). The turning point of all of this was Woke Up, where they finally stopped hiding and are embracing their true alien forms. AWE is the start of phase 3 for XG and I cannot be more excited." So that exploration of their style should be happening starting now I guess
I don't see what seems so rushed about their concept, they have been pretty clear about what their lore is and have been true to it. Some MVs show it more than others, but as they go on they keep upping their game, if they stayed stagnant at the same level you would also be complaining about that too. I don't see you having this much criticism for any other group but I will just have to see it as you holding the bar higher for them because they are on another level.
exactly! we never know what’s coming next, so… And also, in this industry it’s really easy to be accused of copying concept, so you need to do it first and quick.
as a casual listener (who knows the lore) i kinda get what he means 😭 maybe to the gop it seems rushed and like a dramatic shift, but in reality it has been a gradual build up. howling reminds me of grl gvng bc of the production nd mv but it's def on another level compared to it.
I just went to their show last month and when I tell you they can put on a show. I mean their energy was on 100 the whole show. Jurin was a fucking beast live. Also chisa’s live singing was emaculate. But with that being said I love them and will still support them but I respect your thought and opinions on them. I wish they would kind of stay in one genre just for like a a sec so we can just digest everything better and appreciate it more.
LOVED your take on this comeback! I also worry about what they're going to show next at least in terms of concept because while I love Howling, it is quite grand. It's like, what can they possibly show next? But I guess we'll see. Hoping Simon or someone will see this reaction and take a look at some of these comments. There's a lot pretty solid things they could take into consideration while planning the next release and future releases.
Ive watched all of XG documentaries and saw all their work.. where they go from here idk, but i know this ill be supportive no matter what.. ALPHAZ for life..
Bro, let me say this to you every time I hear a song from ex I say to myself, what’s next they continue to surprise me every time these ladies aren’t like nothing I have ever seen before. All of them are absolutely phenomenal.
I kinda understand what you mean with the vocals. The last song kinda felt like they couldn't really experiment with their voices to see what sounded best. They feel very restricted in this track.
not a mal-intentioned critique of your critiques, but just wondering where you think the balance is: if Howling is too big/grand of a scale for how new they are (which i think is your comment? feel free to correct if that's not what you meant), then how can songs like Is this love/In the rain not be full enough? Like do you mean their concept is too grand but their songs are not produced enough (or to their potential)? Bc i'm not understanding how they can simultaneously be too strong but also not showing their strengths. anyway, always love the detail to which to review artists - very appreciated, especially for XG whose releases have so much to discuss
While i agree that their rise could be more gradual, the reality is this is a Music Business, the investment in these groups is no pocket change so if groups dont make money quick enough they get dropped and discarded. Up to hundreds of kpop groups are created every year failing amd owing their companies so the ones that make it must generate income quickly. Whether they can sustain it remains to be seen and hopefully they can but they need to strike when the iron is hot especially economically. Organic development is always best yes but its a business ultimately.
Respect your honesty and giving their new music a chance with critique from a “general fan” + producer perspective. You’re always entitled to react to what you want, but especially enjoyed hearing more in-depth context on why you feel disconnected with them as individuals and what is missing for you on the production side of their new releases. Sometimes diehard fans can have tunnel vision and don’t understand that there is a wide spectrum of what type of fan you can be for an artist (just vibe to their songs or deeply invested and know the entire lore). Miss your reactions to their dancing, so the bonus choreo watch was a surprise! ❤
I agreee with the timing! Its was almost like night and day from the blink of an eye its almost like there wasn’t really a transitional period in terms of concept so it almost feels abrupt They are an amazing group and definitely 1 of 1 in the kpop-adjacent sector of music. I super understand what you mean !! EDIT: YESS the fullness in the vocals as well i was wondering what was missing in the fullness and you explained it perfectly
I missed your reactions to the girls! I understand your point about the rush they have had in these two years, and that for us as Alphaz it's very exciting and for the more casual public it can be very abrupt, they have these "two sides" (hip hop/R&B) and an extra one where they experiment with pop/ukgrg/elct/etc which for listeners who prefer only one of those sides makes them not end up getting hooked. Since they started with "the New DNA era” they started to experiment not only musically but also on their fashionista side, carried away by their daily way of dressing, forming their own crazy identity that at least I love. As for their product, one looks at Howling as a complete package and says “what will come next that improves this experience?”, and in their own words, they said that they are involved in the order in which the gallery of songs they have prepared are coming to light, so it sounds promising. And I agree that they can get even more out of the beautiful voices they have at their disposal, but it is something they will work on progressively when they release more appropriate songs, I think that at least the last songs will feel better live than in the studio like with WWY.
Good reaction. I’d love to share some technical insights to complement your thoughts on the song. Musically, imo, the chords in the song are in the 7th of E, Am, Em, and Fmaj, with no G that I could hear. As you know, minor chords like Am and Em are common in R&B, as they add emotional depth and a soulful, moody quality that creates tension and enhances the music’s expression. "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers uses Em and Am, not E major, and relies on a minor-key progression to convey its melancholic vibe. In the same vein, in "In The Rain," written by Chancellor and Jakops, the minor chords effectively capture the emotional weight of a breakup, creating a heartfelt and soulful expression. To address the bass dissonance, I recommend adjusting your EQ settings and considering an upgrade to higher-quality headphones, not Beats 😅, as these can greatly affect how you hear the sound. Adjusting the EQ lets you fine-tune specific frequencies to clarify the bass and reduce dissonance. Your system's EQ settings play a big role in this. Exploring how CDs and vinyl sound differently might also provide useful insights. The muddy bass you’re hearing is likely due to your headphones rather than the mix itself. This is not meant to criticize you-in the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
It could be that but these are studio pros which aren’t particular low end headphones lol. Of course they’re not Bang & Olufsen which I’ve tried out but they have great clarity I’ve found. My Sony’s are richer in bass which sometimes clouds the sound. Someone else mentioned there’s a pitch effect on the bass so perhaps that’s what I was hearing. I also hear this on speakers out loud so it’s not exclusive to headphones. Who knows, like I said maybe it’s just my ears.
I don't know what Beats model the OP is using, but Beats headphones have gotten more favorable reviews in recent years, and I'd trust him to know the difference between a good sounding headphones and a bad one. Regardless, I'm pretty positive these mixes were screened through popular consumer graded headphones, so people may be getting an even "muddier" sound, hahaha. That said, I agree, it may not be muddiness, but some kind of production effect in the mix. Their sound is heavily processed, so it's most certainly a creative choice. Still, not a fan of the overall sound of this album.
@@lacanam I have a different perspective. XG uses less vocal processing compared to the K-pop Big 4 because XGALX prioritizes their artists’ ability to perform live with natural vocals. This is clear in their live performances, where members like Chisa and Juria demonstrate their vocal abilities without heavy processing. In contrast, some Big 4 K-pop artists’ songs feature extensive vocal production with numerous effects, backing vocals, vocoders and reverb/delay effects contributing to a rich studio sound but often requiring heavy reliance on AR, auto-tuned concert production, or pre-recorded backing tracks during live performances. As a music major and audiophile using high-quality equipment, I can confidently recognize these differences. For great speakers or headphones, I recommend brands like Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bang & Olufsen, Sennheiser, Focal, Audio-Technica, Neumann, or even Pro Sony. These brands are known for their superior sound quality and precision. Consumer options like Beats or Apple may not provide the same level of accuracy in sound reproduction.
XG trained for 5 years 2017-2021, before they made their debut March 18, 2022, with their [1st] single Music Videos "Tippy Toes" "Howling" XG [15th] Music Video
I absolutely love Howling and while i like the other two as well, what you said was my exact beef with them lol In the Rain could have been such an R&B gem for me but they were missing that vocal razzle dazzle they are easily capable of❤
Yesss I was talking to oomfs about exactly what you said!!! XG’s development feels too rushed-they have released single after single without any concept getting fleshed out beyond one MV and dance choreo, without each era being given time to marinate. There have been few B-sides that show other sides of them as artists, and even though the concepts and visuals are always so bold and dynamic, they’ve started to feel less exciting to me and it’s harder for me to feel invested. It’s like watching a movie series but I’m only seeing the climax of each movie, everything is stunning and beautiful-I love Princess Mononoke so these references in Howling were amazing to me-but it just feels a little emotionally hollow. People will dismiss these criticisms but they come from a place of true admiration. These girls are some of the best performers I’ve seen in years and their artistic team is incredible. I want them to succeed so badly. But from a marketing and storytelling standpoint, I feel like it’s just too much, too fast.
You need to consider their industry. You think they could afford to like rest for a year? They've been working non stop like you said and even then, I believe they're still not getting the recognition they deserved. They don't have the privilege other groups have that just debuting with their big label alone would get people to be listening to them and talking about them. We all wish they would get to the point where they could take off the foot from the gas pedal, but they're not there yet.
@shnaide1 I totally understand that-my complaint is NOT about the quantity but more of what Micah said, the constant switch ups without further development of a concept across multiple projects, or via more well-developed B-sides. I do not think that just churning out more, more, more viral pop formula songs is a sustainable strategy to grow your audience. FWIW, I think the global fanbase of XG has really skyrocketed and it shows in their world tour and their views considering their size. But like Micah said, I don’t know if this is sustainable for their artistic identity. I agree that the girls have started to lose some individuality and character because of the high concept that keeps ramping up. Separately, I have some worries with the production choices they make too-the rhythm and BPM of their singles, even the structure of the past few, kind of starts to blend together a bit even if the genre is different, because they’re all engineered toward virality. But that’s another issue altogether.
@@edamammy7 That's the thing, since they've been doing this for a long time, them having no particular identity is their identity. When it comes to them, expect the unexpected. I think it was clear when just for the past year, they released Winter without you, followed by Woke Up. Like, surely that two songs are very very different from each other. And that is what fans love about them. I love the fact that when I want to just chill, there's left right. When I feel like dancing, there's new dance. When I want to feel like I am a boss or something, there's girl gvng and woke up.
@@shnaide1 I Dont think its much about "Resting" and "taking their foot off the gas" more of like not rushing their story and building the lore... Its almost as if you're watching a movie and you know the climax or the secret of the film within the first 10 minutes it almost makes it less exciting because there's not too much to expect anymore. They dont have to take their foot off the gas... maybe just use their big toe and press like SpongeBob vs speeding through (lol) because after a time its almost like going to a buffet and putting everything you want on one plate vs working your way through. It doesn't mean the food isn't good it just needs to at least... Digest. And I worry about this fast paced movement being detrimental in the long run because its going to feel like 1 big blur they were just singing about mascara and 2 business days ago and now they are intergalactic beings with no real crossover. It feels like going to the bathroom in the middle of a movie and missing everything
@@shnaide1 Personally, “them having no identity is their identity” is a worrying sign to me. I also don’t think it’s particularly true as there are several niches that they are particularly invested in; the wolfpack, the gyaru girl, the intergalactic alien. There are plenty of groups that explore a variety of sounds and concepts that do it very well, variety isn’t an issue. Again, it’s moreso how much depth is given to the concept, how much the members get to inhabit and really showcase an artistic message in a sustained, meaningful manner. Those personas have gotten a bit lost imo.
Thank you SO much for reacting to XG even though you mentioned another time you didn’t like their direction!! I always love your super honest breakdowns and dissections of the songs!
can you explain what you mean by they progressed too quickly? genuinely! because when i think progress i think of chronological ? but it seemed like you're speaking from an artist standpoint and i would love to hear more on that !
I think from TGIF/Woke Up it felt like a sudden switch up when we had just fallen for them after LR/SS era which would’ve been great for them to build on so we got a lot of changes sonically and visually and then there’s been changes ever since so we never got to sit in an era long enough to get to know them.
@Koko3op but between those two songs is "New Dance" " Puppet Show" and "Winter Whitout You", and there will always be that one who complains that this or that Group is stuck in the same concept or that other Group that changes so much of Concepts, that doesn't get to form an own identity, in this case the group has been quite consistent with their concept even since the Day they decided to call Alphaz to their fandom, if you could notice, since Shooting Star they were already using those Masks you saw in Woke up, for me your opinion is already a little biased since the group is not going in the direction you would have expected and if the group is no longer to your liking, I don't see the reason to keep making reactions to it, unless it was a paid request.
I love the direction they’re In because “IF” they focus on one sound/genre for a year or so, PEOPLE WILL PUT THEM UNDER A BOX! These girls do It all. Since this group Is an Hip-Hop and R&B group, some pop. It’s right to put XG under XPOP. Idk any other group that genuinely does It like how XG Is. When they put out “Winter Without You” and “Left Right” those are the songs are the reason why I love XG so much since I love R&B so much💖 Now they’re putting out “In The Rain” and “Is This Love” from this years album which gives similar vibes to the 2 songs I love from XG. It just makes me sad that R&B Isn’t the most sought out genre In the music Industry. I also enjoyed Hesonoo & X-Gene and GRL GVNG for that Hip-Hop vibe. Sometimes Pop can just be a bit overwhelming IMO. Because XG does It all, It what makes them XG. I just feel like they’re experiencing new sounds and challenging themselves. I didn’t feel the disconnection that you have felt for XG going on this route. But If you’re talking about visuals and concepts, I do not care where they go with that. It’s a sight to see but I’m here for XG for the girls and their music. That’s just me though.
Exactly and they are performing at Coachella next year! Its insane for such a young group, so obviously they are doing something right. I love what they do music wise and so do a lot of people
Replying to my own comment to say I feel the same way as you about the vocals this time around, especially Coco’s underutilized lower tones. This is genuinely criminal on is this love. I can’t get over it. Her voice could’ve elevated the track and add those colors as you mentioned. I saw them in Vegas and Chisa’s voice is truly out of this world and I was surprised by her restrained here. (Sidebar she also had such star quality live, I couldn’t take my eyes off her). Simon’s references and vision are super clear so I don’t get why the vocals were underdeveloped. If you’re going to sample r and b (like my boo by ghost town dj for instance) then the vocals have to be rich and rooted. love XG and your points are well taken.
Im not sure I have tunnel vision, but for me XG with every mistakes they had is better than other groups. I never mention that because im tolerant to other group fans but going to that discussion for XGs songs are not vocally layered enouh is kinda weird compared to other kpop groups or generally solo singers from around the world. Im just saying these girls has individual voices, and when you hear another groups only the top end hardcore fan can tell wich one is singing, because companyes search for similarityes. Agree with me or not thats one reason they different. Another thing okay I know this group is kpop based but please just let go the clishes they said clearly they will do different things. Its a thing with a higher risk, but I appreciate that! I cant even stand the word comeback...never heard in western music only in kpop. For me it makes sense when an artist tell the fans there is a brake in their career. But considering every new song as a comeback is weird to me. I get it but still weird. Overall I cheer XG for overcome clishes and that is one reason I stan the group.
😂 at it when you said comeback. As someone who's never into kpop, I also always wondered why people call it come back. Did the artist disband for some time? Are they on a hiatus? Why call it comeback when they've always been here and was never gone. 😂😂
@@shnaide1 yes this is my thoughts on this. I get it, the team come back with another concept but with XG the concept is always the same but the styles are different. Never want to see people put them in a box, when they not want to be in there.
I agree about being worried where do they go from here. But at the same time I think because they hit so many genres or at least capable of, they can always pull back a bit.
I definitely get where you’re coming from. XG makes great music and that’s not the issue, but the music videos and concepts seem to outdo their predecessors every time and while it may not be an issue for them, I can understand how that could become concerning for the listener since they’re a newer group. I’ve enjoyed all their releases thus far but sometimes it does feel like the music videos are a little (just a little) stronger than the vocals that accompany them, and if their concept keeps upgrading so much visually while the songs don’t change much in terms of showing their vocal prowess (I still love the music, don’t misunderstand me) I can see why that would be concerning.
I think from the fullness perspective, WWY does a really good job sounding full and showing off the girls vocals. I really enjoy “in the rain”, but I felt like if it had a more vocal heavy bridge Iike in “WWY” it would have taken it to the next level.
You need to remember here that they are a group from a japanese company, not a kpop company. Music there moves differently. AVEX is rich af and one of the big 3 companies in the Japan entertainment industry, they can go all insane with the music videos, styling and music if they wanted every week or so and they would still have millions flying around. So you don't need to worry about them going all out this early in their careers, and they are pushing the American/global agenda of becoming dominant at a larger scale. If they can start big, why not do it? Why do they have to wait years to do that? I actually wished more groups did that. A lot of debuts these days have been... underwhelming for me.
@badboyonibaku almost every corporation had those problems during the pandemic lmfao. AVEX is still part of the big 3 in Japan. They are richer than even JYP and YG together
@@LFNZE Yeah but like the Japanese branch of Western companies like Warner and Sony are taking over.. Plus, the reports of AVEX this year is that they lowered the monetary support to XGALX because they are self-sustained at this point and AVEX debuted recently a boy group. So yeah, XG's company is still a mid size company operating in Korea.
@@badboyonibaku ??? They are part of AVEX. Their company is just a subsidiary just like BigHit is a subsidiary of HYBE, so TXT and BTS are a HYBE group. XG hasn't had a lower monetary support. Tf.. do you see those music videos and the quality of their songs and their promotions? lol
Yh I agree there’s not enough stacking and layering and singing together tbh there a group at the end of the day…. Harmonies are like girl group basics that were missing from the two album tracks. They could honestly be amazing with a producer like MNEK who’s the vocal producer for FLO, they’ve got so much untapped potential. I think that howling tho was a great addition to there discography, video slapped and the song hit, especially some of the bars and howling on the chorus
Omg you came back ❤😢😊 thank you once again for reacting 🎉 You should do a reaction to their towercam or full cam of their performance, if I remember you really used to love the shooting Star dance practices / they deliver on this one Edit : nvm the choreo just saw that part 😅
I'm glad to see you reacting to XG again. 1 thing i think everybody needs to realize is that we don't have the time frame XG records their songs. Example Is this love was made in 2019 compared to Howling being made in 2023. Its very evident that they are sitting on alot of songs.
I do somewhat agree on the vocal production. Because they all have unique vocal tones and there is a lack of fullness sometimes. I would love for them to attack more difficult runs and play with the way their tones that can complement each other. Harmonies could be more prevalent. But stylistically the way they’re doing things is still produced incredibly well. About the progression, I find what you say somewhat contradictory because XGs brand has always been about breaking boundaries, hence they continue to push the envelope of what they previously did. They’ve always jumped dramatically. Tippy Toes to MASCARA a complete change not only musically but visually. Then from MASCARA to SHOOTING STAR. No one saw how crazy of a change they’d make. But XGs identity has always been there. But I guess it’s just cause you don’t follow them closely enough. I’m not saying how you feel is wrong, I’m just saying XG has always been this way even when you just look at their subsequent releases. Really it all ties into what Tippy Toes is all about, they never want to be complacent, but that doesn’t mean they can’t tone things down or tap into sounds they’ve done before.
Yeahh and I remember finding it a jump and change of direction at the time but because sonically the music was vocal heavy and their styling was still pretty toned down it seemed to work for me. And I’m not sure where the contradiction is. Like I said in the video and I feel like people keep missing. It felt too quick. I don’t want them to not break boundaries, I just think they moved on from their first break through era too quickly as the sound completely changed to TGIF/GRL GVNG/NEW DANCE then Woke up came and visually things got more intense. We’ll see how things will change in the next couple years, I’ll probably get used to it.
@@Koko3op Contradictory probably wasn’t the best word to use. But I do think the releases from Tippy Toes to SHOOTING STAR could play a role in thinking that they were still finding their sound. They are quite spread out in terms of release but the moment NEW DNA released we got drop after drop of completely wild concepts and different sounds.
20:25 Lol I literally stopped your review to pull up "Check"* because it has that 808 90s beat. XG's got less stacking, and it's just less full and rich. Agree I think everyone's floating in the same sonic space, there's not enough contrast. They need to bump up Cocona to hold it down like Renee. Also I think Chisa does all the stacking (she's the Doyoung in XG?) so maybe again mix it up. Shoot let Maya shoot her lower reg shot in the booth. *FLO's song, just to clarify for those who are unfamiliar (and y'all REALLY should get to know them)
You're the first person who's given XG legit criticism, and does so without sounding like a hater. The a$$-licking gets very often out of hand, and we need more level headed perspectives. I like your ear for production, not many people notice or comment on it. Me too, I wasn't a fan of how this album sounded in terms of production/mixing. Do you have some singing/production background? Maybe I missed it. The comment on raising up the bar a bit too much is also on point. I guess they're trying to maximize every comeback, (you never know for how long you'll be active) but it's true, it'll be difficult to visually top this MV. They'll need to go even crazier, and it may not be a good thing.
There is a big difference with listening to song reuploads from unofficial channels than listening to them in official streaming services. It's like expecting to get brand new clothes from a thrift shop
@Koko3op which is why it's weird. It's like you have this vendetta against the group cause you never have comments like that towards other groups. It's like your trying to find things to hate lol. Punching the air
I believe the chords in "In The Rain" are an Am7 4th inversion (E G A C), and then Em7, Fmaj7, E7 (all 3 in root position). That's what I hear at least, because I had the same initial reaction you did. There was something weird that bothered me (just like you were saying) so I had to get my keyboard and figure it out as well. 😂 But now that I know, it doesn't bother me anymore and I really like the song a lot.
And people are trying to gaslight me talking about it may be my headphones and listening to reuploads on TH-cam LOOL. The girls that get it get it!! Thank you! Yess those are the chords I found also. Someone else mentioned an effect on the bass which makes sense as to why the pitch isn’t consistent!
I felt the same way. XG was my favorite group for 2 years, but the changes have taken away their personalities. Idk, I just feel disconnected from them, especially because of the lack of communication with fans
Heyy! I wanted to let you know one of the best vocalists in kpop, Jay Chang just dropped a new song ‘LaSalle Ave’ today with his 2nd mini album, and they are absolutely incredible! This track feels so personal and nostalgic. I’d love to see your take on it and hear your thoughts. It’s one of those songs that deserves way more attention, and your reaction could help introduce it to a wider audience. Please check it out! ❤😊
You are so right about the lack of vocal production. Tbh each and every xg song has always sounded empty to me (especially new dance, sorrynot sorry) and had to grow on me after the first listen. Their previous release, iykyk, which i liked on the first listen, was on the right track but they didnt dive into the vocal layers enough and i felt like they relied on the sample. Each and every one of them have so much potential and its such a waste for it not to be showcased on their more vocalbased songs
Heavily disagree with you. Reason? I noticed after seeing the world tour fancams, their songs are meant to be performed live. Remember no singer can hit a high note night after night, that'll them fatigue way faster. They're aiming to be consistently performing the songs live and healthy. And to be honest, blasting high notes doesn't bother me at all because I'm always warry if they can keep it up. No problem with it, I just want them to be healthy and I'm glad they don't follow the typical Kpop path of wanting to hit heavy high notes
If you say XG's music is empty, then you don't know what other groups' music is like. They invest a lot of information into their lyrics as well as their rap, and they sing and rap in English. Their melodies are also unique. If you make music like that and still say it's empty, then I give up. Even though that's your opinion, if you say XG's music is empty, then you should take an English course to understand what they sing or rap about. If you say they're empty, then I think you're Korean or a KPOP fan because Americans or Europeans are very afraid of these girls because of the high damage in their songs.
@@woomi9486 Low-key it seems like you're too much into Kpop because MUSIC is not about high notes. As far as I'm concerned, they're solid with the vocals on every single song and again, no need to belt every time. They're actually more educated in the whole industry in terms of maintaining their vocal health. Don't like it? Then don't listen, or get new ears
@@BlackUzumaki7Im actually surprised i havent gotten into kpop at all. XG is the closest thing ive liked to kpop. When did I say I wanted high notes? All I said was that I wished their music was better produced. Their songs are amazing. Ive been to their concert, ive seen them live! Just because their music is “meant” to be performed live doesn’t mean that they can’t go all out on the vocals. artists such as sza flo ariana grande, they all add so much layers to their songs and still manage to sing their songs live. Their winter without you on that one take channel was the closest thing to what (in my opinion) they should try to uphold. My point is that i feel their music is empty solely based on the fact that they have members who can sing but they restrict themselves, their power, on their songs.
@@nguyennhatphongk17hcm4did you even read my comment? I never said I had problems with the lyrics or the melodies. Also, why are you getting into race?
I feel the same way too, like I know they can rap and everything and I did like woke up and howling, but from where we started, with songs like shooting star, left right and etc, this kinda felt abrupt🤷🏽♀️I'm still excited to see what they do in the future though, cause I've liked all their releases so far, just some more than the others
@glenlake8 no I mean more of the aesthetic change, like before they had an alien/space theme in most of their music videos. And then they started doing the wolf/alpha theme in the woke up mv
@@glenlake8 I'm also an ALPHAZ and I also admit that XG is a bit hasty, because XG's music is very good and their songs LEFT RIGHT or SHOOTING STAR are very good and I also want them to do that kind of genre for a while longer, XG is more than capable of doing that, because I think they should go in that direction for a while before doing things like this, XG's music is great and different from other groups, anyway I still support XG alone, they have their own path and we can't have any prejudice against them, I consider XG a revolution in music and no one is like them
The lyric video (made by people not affiliated with XG) versions in TH-cam of In The Rain and Is This Love are weird. I listened to the spotify version and it sounds amazing.
this is why I love your reactions. even when you don’t necessarily love it, you always have such a fresh take to it and all of the criticisms make sense! I agree especially with your take on them not harmonising as much thus making it not sound full!
Maybe listen to the original upload instead of reacting to the reuploaded ones. I might add also that once XG established that full rap and RnB song with crazy visuals, i noticed some K-pop groups did it as well. Even some Koreans, noticed that especially those who see XG's progress in the industry. Edit: Yeah, it sounds different to the original upload in XG's account cause i hear also the lowkey bass chords
Perhaps there is really simple answer wrapped up in a lot commentary about what they are doing, not doing, should be doing. You are just no longer an XG fan. That’s ok, but this was a lot of yada, yada, yada just to come that conclusion. Maybe you were back in the shooting star, left right era but not so much now. This group is ever evolving. Like Maya said in Million Cash ‘I’m not going backwards’ - That’s who they are and that’s group I am a fan of. They are true artist, they are not doing paint by numbers.
Omg! Wow! You just described what was missing for me. I felt like in the beginning they had more of that production you were talking about. But i think the girls are working too hard and too fast that the purification becomes lazy. Not saying the girls are. I'm saying that they going too fast with multiple releases
i agree with your opinion on vocal layering on their releases since left right. even before xg debuted, i listened to chancellor's stuff and felt something similar. he knows a good formula for songs but the songs never feel "complete." so i end up enjoying the first few listens but i never love the songs enough for them to be in my background playlist while driving or studying/working.
Would you ever be willing/have you ever taken a look at their behind the scenes and even their documentary series? I love your reactions and your insight on everything, I just wonder how you’d feel w also knowing how they started and got to this point. But everybody else is more educated then I am 😅 I’m just very happy cause I’m like a second gen K-pop fan and the new stuff doesn’t do it for me anymore but I LOVE XG lol. Great video, I wish you the best with everything you do. (Also I haven’t thoroughly gone through Patreon yet, so maybe you have and I am just talking outta my ass here 🙃 either way I love your reactions, you don’t just “react” you have educated shit to say and I think that’s what internet should be #iykyk)
@@Koko3op You stopped right when the docu series was about to get really good episode 1-3 is just survival show with them practicing 1 choreo and narrowing down the members, episode 4+ there is so much more variety with vocal, dancing etc and more focus on just building the current members up getting them rdy to debut
Except I specially mentioned that I’d likely revisit them if people told me I’d like their songs which these people thought I would. As I explained in the video. Also if I cared about their popularity would I have been as honest as I have been to deal with annoying clowns like yourself?
Honestly, they kind of lost me after Shooting Star. It’s not their rapping (I’m a huge hip hop fan) or their vocals or even their dancing (I still think they’re the best female dancers out there). Something just doesn’t quite do it for me, not sure what. I thought Shooting Star was the perfect mix of rap & vocals. Maybe the grittiness or the wolf concept is just not for me. I still love them though and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in concert soon.
I was so excited to hear they had a couple R&B/vocal heavy songs on the album as I’m not a huge fan of their more rap heavy stuff, but unfortunately they didn’t quite hit for me and I was trying to figure out why. Interesting to hear your thoughts on what’s missing. I agree the vocal production is lacking especially compared to the rap heavy songs. Compare the vocals on Howling to In the Rain or Is This Love and it’s clear how much more time was spent on Howling. Something about the other two just feels empty or boring and they absolutely shouldn’t with the amount of talent they have. Like somehow overproduced and underproduced at the same time. Personally, Chisa is my bias and I want a song that truly shows what she is capable of! Was glad you singled her out during the dance practice lol
@ I said nothing about the music video lol I was comparing the music only. I’m aware other people love those songs and that’s great! Just not for me unfortunately and I was explaining why.
Low key hated this take because it just sounded like someone picking through a haystack trying to find something to hate on. It was unnecessary in my opinion. You are disgruntled because the Howling was too good. Then kind of meh’d the remaining 2 because.. reasons. I had to just skip the remainder after In the Rain because it just irritated me (your demeanour directed to what was very hard work by hundreds of people and of course the girls).
24:47 bruh in woke up MAYA said , I'm the judge and jury, I don't wanna hear it, I'm the one they fearin', keep it on the low This is automated, I'm the motivator, told my haters, "Yo, more the merrier" Y'all my entertainment fascinated, I'm just laughin' 'cause it's so hilarious, they don't care with haters 😂😂😂
JOIN my Patreon for more exclusive content here: patreon.com/koko3op AS WELL as my Discord here : discord.gg/j75b23fNPa
@@Koko3op i don't know what to say, in" girl Gvng" You Say that the Choreo was lacking power or intensity compares to the song, and now that the b-sides ar not good enough, what are You expecting from them, whit what or who are You comparing them? Whit all due respect, because if it's just your opinion, it's not like the Xgalx staff are taking it
Love how honest and authentic you reaction is. No cap nor sugarcoating. As an XG fan, I really appreciate it. Thank you ❤❤❤
I appreciate that! Thank you!
I respect the honest take, it's always appreciated.
That being said, I think for Multi-casual XG fans it can really be jarring like you said while for Alphaz we already know XG since we also watch the behind the scenese, Xtra's etc. so we know they are still them.
As someone who went to multiple cities in the US during the tour, the fan base of XG is beautifully diverse. From children to grandparents and from all types of people who where introduced to different "eras" of XG but still howled with them.
They gained a lot of fans since Wokeup, and their fanbase includes R&B and hip-hop enthusiasts. However, I’ve noticed a lot of new fans who are into pop, especially after SAR and IYIYK. To me, it’s exciting that they’re trying new things, and it’s great because their audience now spans multiple genres like R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Personally, I love all their songs so far, along with the concepts behind them.
i get what you mean. there's 7 competent singers that stick to similar range despite being able to give more fullness. i think it's a deliberate stylistic choice but i'd love to see songs in lower keys and more variety in background, even lead vocals
Yeah I think saw a youtuber that writes and sells k-pop songs that also said it could be a stylistic choice. Simon may also be intentionally holding it back so they don't "get there too fast". Seems to me their vocal production is always getting better with each mini album release.
I think one idea that’s not touched on when it comes to where they’ve gone in some of the more rap heavy tracks is this is the only way they could’ve gone. The alien theme kind of has to be at the forefront because it legitimizes all the gangster lyric stuff in a way that couldn’t be accomplished just normally. U can say opps and dominate and killer because it’s wrapped in lore otherwise it would sound disingenuous and come off silly. But this way it’s more like ur telling a story.
Yeah that’s a great point
Oh I never even thought about that aspect since I would have taken it as theatrics either way considering who they are xD
I'm glad you tried them again! I think it's an interesting outside take because they're one of the only ggs I've seen (haven't been into tons) where they're all allowed to fully embrace their own styles and individuality from so early on. From someone who doesn't follow them closely I can see how the change seems drastic, but personally I'd be so sad if they'd been forced to stay in their debut or even LR/shooting star phase for longer.
I've never seen a group have so much fun with styling either, their concert and MV styling is exquisite. It reminds me of being young and into TLC and The Spice Girls, and later 2ne1. So fun. Also that they're allowed to really dance! Like the levels - yes get on the floor !😭
I think worrying about them being able to outdo themselves later on is a testament to how far they've pushed the sometimes stagnant industry already.
I don’t think it’s premature at all, since Girl Gvng a year ago to this now i feel is gradual enough. It could also be a testament to how much they grow every time they comeback. Maybe you don’t keep up with them enough but I feel like the change hasn’t been that quick
agreed
AHHHH ! I have missed you reacting to these girls. I know a lot of people rain down on you for certain things you’ve said and your opinions on previous releases, but I LOVE your reactions! Whether I may agree or not! I really just love the way you break down certain things and start doing “research” lol
Thank you so much!! Haha
I feel like at this point you either get/vibe with XG or you don’t. I think they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be with the amount of comebacks and releases they’ve had since debuting 2.5+ years ago.
Once they established the wolf pack persona I knew it was going to become more of a unit vs individual expression
type of thing. But I’m sure we’ll still have those moments sprinkled in too!
is that it is precisely a group that we are talking about, whether the girls are so talented that they can easily be soloists is another matter, I repeat, it is a group, unity is essential in a group, no one stands out above anyone else, the individual expression of which you speak, you can see it clearly in the concerts and costumes, all have a lot of solos and the vocal line changes cover every two, three stops, you can hear covers of Mariah Carey,Whitney Houston, Adele, Jessie J, Taylor Swift.
XG isn’t rushed.
They were literally children when they started this journey. No one else is saying this nonsense. Stop it.
I actually think the plan for them is to run the process in reverse…I believe xg has hinted at an arc where the aliens more or less learn and assimilate more so I expect they’ve built in a kind of maturing arc into their future stuff…where some of the more heavy alien stuff falls away a bit.
Ahhhh this sounds promising
@@Koko3opbro can you react to Treasure Songs - Jikjin , I Love you and King Kong, please react to it you might like them.
That's interesting because they started to reaaaaally transform when they released Woke up and they had been out for a year and a half at that point. Everything before that was "Stripped back"; they released mixtapes, documentaries, did the Y2K vibe and then started to really get into the "story telling" and lore. They gave us time, but people didn't seem truly interested till they released their mixtapes. It deffintly is a fast progression thats for sure.
XG set out to be different from conventional kpop/jpop. I don't think conformity is something Simon or the ladies have on their radar. They are in a league of their own. I think they are exactly where they should be, given the years that they have trained together. This is just a taste of their true talent.
You need to take into account that their debut was delayed by 2 years due to COVID. I think they are where they need to be. Wish the world would take more notice of XG. Their talents are off the scale!!!
I don’t think the delay is relevant because the artistry has still progressed too quickly from when they debuted. There’s no rush lol
@@Koko3opPerhaps, but the average shelf life of an idol group is very short. On the business end, the subsidiary label probably needs to recoup the expenses as soon as possible. Just wishing they got more views on the “Howling” M/V. It’s epic!!
@@tokyobentoLOL. Just to remind you that they are not part of the KPOP Industry. XGALX runs their contract differently.
@ Well, they’re still part of the idol and music industry competing for the same money. New groups are also debuting.
I hope they take over the world next year!! They’re just amazing!!
Bro just stop i know you want things slow but stop correcting they have been here for 3 whole years and every song is a banger not my fault if yuo dont think so and pls dont critisize them no need to be so corrective they know wht what their doing @Koko3op
As some have said, as someone who follows them pretty closely, I feel like they’ve looked like this basically all year. Since Woke Up. Its honestly almost time to switch up again 😂 So much of their brand (and when you hear them talk about their artist vision in interviews) is to do something new every time we see them. If you feel like they’re seeing a new XG every few months, then they’re doing their job. I don’t think their goal is to have as many fans as possible as much as it is to make the art they want to make and find the fans that enjoy what they are offering.
I totally agree with this as someone who has been following them since their debut. Everything is planned ahead and they definitely know what they are doing and what they want to put forward with each of their comeback. Only if you follow them closely like watch their interviews, see their docu and behind the scenes, only then you would be aware of they are trying to do.
I do get what you mean when you say that the progress was pretty quick, the quality is obviously well done. But we see less individuality in their newer songs and more of a persona, there’s nothing wrong with experimenting but i also wish that we can get more of it in the future again.
for individuality, go check the fancams of the solos they are doing during the concerts, remember that it is a group we are talking about, in a group there should be no egos or individuality but collectivity.
@ individuality has nothing to do with overshadowing one over the other or egos. It’s undeniable that within a group you see different personalities/characters portrayed in their songs. I can name several groups that are a great examples of this without overshadowing each other, but I’m not trying to make that comparison. The point simply is that I just wish to see more of that within the group projects cause in the end they’re active as members of a group.
I am also an ALPHAZ and I also have to respect all the opinions of the people who react because nothing is really perfect and meets everyone's music listening needs, it's okay, with people who understand music, they always give appropriate words because maybe that suits him, personally I am a normal music listener so I feel it's good so maybe I don't know much about the techniques in music, we always like reviews like this, let's go XG
MICAAAAAAH! Omg I was just telling my friends that I was hoping you would revisit XG because I was dying to know your thoughts on their new music, but I understand why you put them to the side for a while. I’ve been checking Patreon since the album dropped so to come here and see this has me way too emotional and I haven’t even watched the video yet. Let me get my life together, but happy to see you here ❤️
Love you honest reactions. Always learn alot.
More of an FYI, the producers Jakops and Chancellor have said they are working through a backlog of songs from 2019.
Also Simon (Jakops) said the following in regards to XG and their plans:
"In a recent interview Simon had with Goethe, he explains that his vision for XG was split into phases. At the time of their debut, he wanted to make sure XG was seen as a girl group that the public would expect, hence Tippy Toes and Mascara (phase 1). Then they started working on slowly releasing XG's uniqueness with New DNA (phase 2). The turning point of all of this was Woke Up, where they finally stopped hiding and are embracing their true alien forms. AWE is the start of phase 3 for XG and I cannot be more excited."
So that exploration of their style should be happening starting now I guess
Makes sense!! Thank you
オフィシャルの音源で聴くべきなんじゃないかな。
I don't see what seems so rushed about their concept, they have been pretty clear about what their lore is and have been true to it. Some MVs show it more than others, but as they go on they keep upping their game, if they stayed stagnant at the same level you would also be complaining about that too. I don't see you having this much criticism for any other group but I will just have to see it as you holding the bar higher for them because they are on another level.
exactly! we never know what’s coming next, so…
And also, in this industry it’s really easy to be accused of copying concept, so you need to do it first and quick.
👍🏾 lool
as a casual listener (who knows the lore) i kinda get what he means 😭 maybe to the gop it seems rushed and like a dramatic shift, but in reality it has been a gradual build up. howling reminds me of grl gvng bc of the production nd mv but it's def on another level compared to it.
I just went to their show last month and when I tell you they can put on a show. I mean their energy was on 100 the whole show. Jurin was a fucking beast live. Also chisa’s live singing was emaculate. But with that being said I love them and will still support them but I respect your thought and opinions on them. I wish they would kind of stay in one genre just for like a a sec so we can just digest everything better and appreciate it more.
Yuupppp that’s all!
LOVED your take on this comeback! I also worry about what they're going to show next at least in terms of concept because while I love Howling, it is quite grand. It's like, what can they possibly show next? But I guess we'll see. Hoping Simon or someone will see this reaction and take a look at some of these comments. There's a lot pretty solid things they could take into consideration while planning the next release and future releases.
Yeahh it’ll be intrigued!
OMGGGG I'VE BEENN PRAYINGGGG FOR THIS
my prayers have been answered 🗣🗣, they finally gave my baby Harvey actual singing verses and used her tone the correct way 🥹🥹😫😫
Ive watched all of XG documentaries and saw all their work.. where they go from here idk, but i know this ill be supportive no matter what.. ALPHAZ for life..
Bro, let me say this to you every time I hear a song from ex I say to myself, what’s next they continue to surprise me every time these ladies aren’t like nothing I have ever seen before. All of them are absolutely phenomenal.
XG is DIFFERENT 🔥
I kinda understand what you mean with the vocals. The last song kinda felt like they couldn't really experiment with their voices to see what sounded best. They feel very restricted in this track.
not a mal-intentioned critique of your critiques, but just wondering where you think the balance is: if Howling is too big/grand of a scale for how new they are (which i think is your comment? feel free to correct if that's not what you meant), then how can songs like Is this love/In the rain not be full enough? Like do you mean their concept is too grand but their songs are not produced enough (or to their potential)? Bc i'm not understanding how they can simultaneously be too strong but also not showing their strengths.
anyway, always love the detail to which to review artists - very appreciated, especially for XG whose releases have so much to discuss
Yess it’s that. The concept is super grand and strong with a laidback songs whilst the bsides don’t have much vocal layering/production
@@Koko3op thanks for responding! i can see what you mean
POV: The only music knowledge you have is from middle school and you're trying your hardest to hear what Micah is hearing lol
HFHSHSHSH I should’ve been clearer but also I don’t think everyone will pick it up the same way
While i agree that their rise could be more gradual, the reality is this is a Music Business, the investment in these groups is no pocket change so if groups dont make money quick enough they get dropped and discarded. Up to hundreds of kpop groups are created every year failing amd owing their companies so the ones that make it must generate income quickly. Whether they can sustain it remains to be seen and hopefully they can but they need to strike when the iron is hot especially economically. Organic development is always best yes but its a business ultimately.
Respect your honesty and giving their new music a chance with critique from a “general fan” + producer perspective.
You’re always entitled to react to what you want, but especially enjoyed hearing more in-depth context on why you feel disconnected with them as individuals and what is missing for you on the production side of their new releases.
Sometimes diehard fans can have tunnel vision and don’t understand that there is a wide spectrum of what type of fan you can be for an artist (just vibe to their songs or deeply invested and know the entire lore).
Miss your reactions to their dancing, so the bonus choreo watch was a surprise! ❤
Thank you so much!!
Thanks so much for reviewing XG It was a pleasant surprise.
I agreee with the timing! Its was almost like night and day from the blink of an eye its almost like there wasn’t really a transitional period in terms of concept so it almost feels abrupt They are an amazing group and definitely 1 of 1 in the kpop-adjacent sector of music. I super understand what you mean !!
EDIT: YESS the fullness in the vocals as well i was wondering what was missing in the fullness and you explained it perfectly
Thank you!!
I missed your reactions to the girls! I understand your point about the rush they have had in these two years, and that for us as Alphaz it's very exciting and for the more casual public it can be very abrupt, they have these "two sides" (hip hop/R&B) and an extra one where they experiment with pop/ukgrg/elct/etc which for listeners who prefer only one of those sides makes them not end up getting hooked.
Since they started with "the New DNA era” they started to experiment not only musically but also on their fashionista side, carried away by their daily way of dressing, forming their own crazy identity that at least I love. As for their product, one looks at Howling as a complete package and says “what will come next that improves this experience?”, and in their own words, they said that they are involved in the order in which the gallery of songs they have prepared are coming to light, so it sounds promising.
And I agree that they can get even more out of the beautiful voices they have at their disposal, but it is something they will work on progressively when they release more appropriate songs, I think that at least the last songs will feel better live than in the studio like with WWY.
Good reaction. I’d love to share some technical insights to complement your thoughts on the song. Musically, imo, the chords in the song are in the 7th of E, Am, Em, and Fmaj, with no G that I could hear. As you know, minor chords like Am and Em are common in R&B, as they add emotional depth and a soulful, moody quality that creates tension and enhances the music’s expression. "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers uses Em and Am, not E major, and relies on a minor-key progression to convey its melancholic vibe. In the same vein, in "In The Rain," written by Chancellor and Jakops, the minor chords effectively capture the emotional weight of a breakup, creating a heartfelt and soulful expression.
To address the bass dissonance, I recommend adjusting your EQ settings and considering an upgrade to higher-quality headphones, not Beats 😅, as these can greatly affect how you hear the sound. Adjusting the EQ lets you fine-tune specific frequencies to clarify the bass and reduce dissonance. Your system's EQ settings play a big role in this. Exploring how CDs and vinyl sound differently might also provide useful insights. The muddy bass you’re hearing is likely due to your headphones rather than the mix itself. This is not meant to criticize you-in the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
It could be that but these are studio pros which aren’t particular low end headphones lol. Of course they’re not Bang & Olufsen which I’ve tried out but they have great clarity I’ve found. My Sony’s are richer in bass which sometimes clouds the sound.
Someone else mentioned there’s a pitch effect on the bass so perhaps that’s what I was hearing. I also hear this on speakers out loud so it’s not exclusive to headphones. Who knows, like I said maybe it’s just my ears.
I don't know what Beats model the OP is using, but Beats headphones have gotten more favorable reviews in recent years, and I'd trust him to know the difference between a good sounding headphones and a bad one. Regardless, I'm pretty positive these mixes were screened through popular consumer graded headphones, so people may be getting an even "muddier" sound, hahaha.
That said, I agree, it may not be muddiness, but some kind of production effect in the mix. Their sound is heavily processed, so it's most certainly a creative choice. Still, not a fan of the overall sound of this album.
@@lacanam I have a different perspective. XG uses less vocal processing compared to the K-pop Big 4 because XGALX prioritizes their artists’ ability to perform live with natural vocals. This is clear in their live performances, where members like Chisa and Juria demonstrate their vocal abilities without heavy processing. In contrast, some Big 4 K-pop artists’ songs feature extensive vocal production with numerous effects, backing vocals, vocoders and reverb/delay effects contributing to a rich studio sound but often requiring heavy reliance on AR, auto-tuned concert production, or pre-recorded backing tracks during live performances.
As a music major and audiophile using high-quality equipment, I can confidently recognize these differences. For great speakers or headphones, I recommend brands like Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bang & Olufsen, Sennheiser, Focal, Audio-Technica, Neumann, or even Pro Sony. These brands are known for their superior sound quality and precision. Consumer options like Beats or Apple may not provide the same level of accuracy in sound reproduction.
@@XG7Joint could you say which of these headphones is most affordable (and that also have a wireless, over ear option)?
I don't really care about what any TH-camrs say XG is no one and killing it with all their amazing music period
XG trained for 5 years 2017-2021, before they made their debut March 18, 2022, with their [1st] single Music Videos
"Tippy Toes"
"Howling"
XG [15th]
Music Video
Personally, I loved " Is This Love "
I absolutely love Howling and while i like the other two as well, what you said was my exact beef with them lol In the Rain could have been such an R&B gem for me but they were missing that vocal razzle dazzle they are easily capable of❤
they are just fine
Never said they weren’t.
@@Koko3op i know sorry about my other comments if you've seen them thanks for reacting and giving your opinions
Yesss I was talking to oomfs about exactly what you said!!! XG’s development feels too rushed-they have released single after single without any concept getting fleshed out beyond one MV and dance choreo, without each era being given time to marinate. There have been few B-sides that show other sides of them as artists, and even though the concepts and visuals are always so bold and dynamic, they’ve started to feel less exciting to me and it’s harder for me to feel invested.
It’s like watching a movie series but I’m only seeing the climax of each movie, everything is stunning and beautiful-I love Princess Mononoke so these references in Howling were amazing to me-but it just feels a little emotionally hollow.
People will dismiss these criticisms but they come from a place of true admiration. These girls are some of the best performers I’ve seen in years and their artistic team is incredible. I want them to succeed so badly. But from a marketing and storytelling standpoint, I feel like it’s just too much, too fast.
You need to consider their industry. You think they could afford to like rest for a year? They've been working non stop like you said and even then, I believe they're still not getting the recognition they deserved. They don't have the privilege other groups have that just debuting with their big label alone would get people to be listening to them and talking about them. We all wish they would get to the point where they could take off the foot from the gas pedal, but they're not there yet.
@shnaide1 I totally understand that-my complaint is NOT about the quantity but more of what Micah said, the constant switch ups without further development of a concept across multiple projects, or via more well-developed B-sides.
I do not think that just churning out more, more, more viral pop formula songs is a sustainable strategy to grow your audience. FWIW, I think the global fanbase of XG has really skyrocketed and it shows in their world tour and their views considering their size. But like Micah said, I don’t know if this is sustainable for their artistic identity. I agree that the girls have started to lose some individuality and character because of the high concept that keeps ramping up.
Separately, I have some worries with the production choices they make too-the rhythm and BPM of their singles, even the structure of the past few, kind of starts to blend together a bit even if the genre is different, because they’re all engineered toward virality. But that’s another issue altogether.
@@edamammy7 That's the thing, since they've been doing this for a long time, them having no particular identity is their identity. When it comes to them, expect the unexpected. I think it was clear when just for the past year, they released Winter without you, followed by Woke Up. Like, surely that two songs are very very different from each other. And that is what fans love about them. I love the fact that when I want to just chill, there's left right. When I feel like dancing, there's new dance. When I want to feel like I am a boss or something, there's girl gvng and woke up.
@@shnaide1 I Dont think its much about "Resting" and "taking their foot off the gas" more of like not rushing their story and building the lore... Its almost as if you're watching a movie and you know the climax or the secret of the film within the first 10 minutes it almost makes it less exciting because there's not too much to expect anymore. They dont have to take their foot off the gas... maybe just use their big toe and press like SpongeBob vs speeding through (lol) because after a time its almost like going to a buffet and putting everything you want on one plate vs working your way through. It doesn't mean the food isn't good it just needs to at least... Digest. And I worry about this fast paced movement being detrimental in the long run because its going to feel like 1 big blur they were just singing about mascara and 2 business days ago and now they are intergalactic beings with no real crossover. It feels like going to the bathroom in the middle of a movie and missing everything
@@shnaide1 Personally, “them having no identity is their identity” is a worrying sign to me. I also don’t think it’s particularly true as there are several niches that they are particularly invested in; the wolfpack, the gyaru girl, the intergalactic alien.
There are plenty of groups that explore a variety of sounds and concepts that do it very well, variety isn’t an issue. Again, it’s moreso how much depth is given to the concept, how much the members get to inhabit and really showcase an artistic message in a sustained, meaningful manner. Those personas have gotten a bit lost imo.
20:55 I agree it would make the song sound fuller and even better imo
Thank you SO much for reacting to XG even though you mentioned another time you didn’t like their direction!! I always love your super honest breakdowns and dissections of the songs!
can you explain what you mean by they progressed too quickly? genuinely! because when i think progress i think of chronological ? but it seemed like you're speaking from an artist standpoint and i would love to hear more on that !
I think from TGIF/Woke Up it felt like a sudden switch up when we had just fallen for them after LR/SS era which would’ve been great for them to build on so we got a lot of changes sonically and visually and then there’s been changes ever since so we never got to sit in an era long enough to get to know them.
@Koko3op but between those two songs is "New Dance" " Puppet Show" and "Winter Whitout You", and there will always be that one who complains that this or that Group is stuck in the same concept or that other Group that changes so much of Concepts, that doesn't get to form an own identity, in this case the group has been quite consistent with their concept even since the Day they decided to call Alphaz to their fandom, if you could notice, since Shooting Star they were already using those Masks you saw in Woke up, for me your opinion is already a little biased since the group is not going in the direction you would have expected and if the group is no longer to your liking, I don't see the reason to keep making reactions to it, unless it was a paid request.
The vocal layering comment is on point, XG with a bit more layering would probably sound insane. Nice review!
I love the direction they’re In because “IF” they focus on one sound/genre for a year or so, PEOPLE WILL PUT THEM UNDER A BOX! These girls do It all. Since this group Is an Hip-Hop and R&B group, some pop. It’s right to put XG under XPOP. Idk any other group that genuinely does It like how XG Is.
When they put out “Winter Without You” and “Left Right” those are the songs are the reason why I love XG so much since I love R&B so much💖 Now they’re putting out “In The Rain” and “Is This Love” from this years album which gives similar vibes to the 2 songs I love from XG. It just makes me sad that R&B Isn’t the most sought out genre In the music Industry.
I also enjoyed Hesonoo & X-Gene and GRL GVNG for that Hip-Hop vibe. Sometimes Pop can just be a bit overwhelming IMO.
Because XG does It all, It what makes them XG. I just feel like they’re experiencing new sounds and challenging themselves. I didn’t feel the disconnection that you have felt for XG going on this route.
But If you’re talking about visuals and concepts, I do not care where they go with that. It’s a sight to see but I’m here for XG for the girls and their music. That’s just me though.
Exactly and they are performing at Coachella next year! Its insane for such a young group, so obviously they are doing something right. I love what they do music wise and so do a lot of people
YAY!!! Been waiting for this 🤗
Replying to my own comment to say I feel the same way as you about the vocals this time around, especially Coco’s underutilized lower tones. This is genuinely criminal on is this love. I can’t get over it. Her voice could’ve elevated the track and add those colors as you mentioned. I saw them in Vegas and Chisa’s voice is truly out of this world and I was surprised by her restrained here. (Sidebar she also had such star quality live, I couldn’t take my eyes off her). Simon’s references and vision are super clear so I don’t get why the vocals were underdeveloped. If you’re going to sample r and b (like my boo by ghost town dj for instance) then the vocals have to be rich and rooted. love XG and your points are well taken.
Im not sure I have tunnel vision, but for me XG with every mistakes they had is better than other groups. I never mention that because im tolerant to other group fans but going to that discussion for XGs songs are not vocally layered enouh is kinda weird compared to other kpop groups or generally solo singers from around the world. Im just saying these girls has individual voices, and when you hear another groups only the top end hardcore fan can tell wich one is singing, because companyes search for similarityes. Agree with me or not thats one reason they different. Another thing okay I know this group is kpop based but please just let go the clishes they said clearly they will do different things. Its a thing with a higher risk, but I appreciate that! I cant even stand the word comeback...never heard in western music only in kpop. For me it makes sense when an artist tell the fans there is a brake in their career. But considering every new song as a comeback is weird to me. I get it but still weird. Overall I cheer XG for overcome clishes and that is one reason I stan the group.
😂 at it when you said comeback. As someone who's never into kpop, I also always wondered why people call it come back. Did the artist disband for some time? Are they on a hiatus? Why call it comeback when they've always been here and was never gone. 😂😂
@@shnaide1 yes this is my thoughts on this. I get it, the team come back with another concept but with XG the concept is always the same but the styles are different. Never want to see people put them in a box, when they not want to be in there.
I agree about being worried where do they go from here. But at the same time I think because they hit so many genres or at least capable of, they can always pull back a bit.
Truueee
I definitely get where you’re coming from. XG makes great music and that’s not the issue, but the music videos and concepts seem to outdo their predecessors every time and while it may not be an issue for them, I can understand how that could become concerning for the listener since they’re a newer group. I’ve enjoyed all their releases thus far but sometimes it does feel like the music videos are a little (just a little) stronger than the vocals that accompany them, and if their concept keeps upgrading so much visually while the songs don’t change much in terms of showing their vocal prowess (I still love the music, don’t misunderstand me) I can see why that would be concerning.
XG goated 🔥
I think from the fullness perspective, WWY does a really good job sounding full and showing off the girls vocals. I really enjoy “in the rain”, but I felt like if it had a more vocal heavy bridge Iike in “WWY” it would have taken it to the next level.
You need to remember here that they are a group from a japanese company, not a kpop company. Music there moves differently. AVEX is rich af and one of the big 3 companies in the Japan entertainment industry, they can go all insane with the music videos, styling and music if they wanted every week or so and they would still have millions flying around. So you don't need to worry about them going all out this early in their careers, and they are pushing the American/global agenda of becoming dominant at a larger scale. If they can start big, why not do it? Why do they have to wait years to do that? I actually wished more groups did that. A lot of debuts these days have been... underwhelming for me.
AVEX is not rich anymore but still has influence.. Remember, they had to sell their HQ and retranched their employees during the pandemic
@badboyonibaku almost every corporation had those problems during the pandemic lmfao. AVEX is still part of the big 3 in Japan. They are richer than even JYP and YG together
@@LFNZE Yeah but like the Japanese branch of Western companies like Warner and Sony are taking over.. Plus, the reports of AVEX this year is that they lowered the monetary support to XGALX because they are self-sustained at this point and AVEX debuted recently a boy group.
So yeah, XG's company is still a mid size company operating in Korea.
@@badboyonibaku bro it is the same as saying that Adore it's a mid-sized company in korea
@@badboyonibaku ??? They are part of AVEX. Their company is just a subsidiary just like BigHit is a subsidiary of HYBE, so TXT and BTS are a HYBE group.
XG hasn't had a lower monetary support. Tf.. do you see those music videos and the quality of their songs and their promotions? lol
Yh I agree there’s not enough stacking and layering and singing together tbh there a group at the end of the day…. Harmonies are like girl group basics that were missing from the two album tracks. They could honestly be amazing with a producer like MNEK who’s the vocal producer for FLO, they’ve got so much untapped potential. I think that howling tho was a great addition to there discography, video slapped and the song hit, especially some of the bars and howling on the chorus
Omg you came back ❤😢😊 thank you once again for reacting 🎉
You should do a reaction to their towercam or full cam of their performance, if I remember you really used to love the shooting Star dance practices / they deliver on this one
Edit : nvm the choreo just saw that part 😅
I'm glad to see you reacting to XG again. 1 thing i think everybody needs to realize is that we don't have the time frame XG records their songs. Example Is this love was made in 2019 compared to Howling being made in 2023. Its very evident that they are sitting on alot of songs.
That’s fair although it doesn’t take away from how I feel about the concepts being this extreme at this point but that’s a preference thing
I do somewhat agree on the vocal production. Because they all have unique vocal tones and there is a lack of fullness sometimes. I would love for them to attack more difficult runs and play with the way their tones that can complement each other. Harmonies could be more prevalent. But stylistically the way they’re doing things is still produced incredibly well. About the progression, I find what you say somewhat contradictory because XGs brand has always been about breaking boundaries, hence they continue to push the envelope of what they previously did. They’ve always jumped dramatically. Tippy Toes to MASCARA a complete change not only musically but visually. Then from MASCARA to SHOOTING STAR. No one saw how crazy of a change they’d make. But XGs identity has always been there. But I guess it’s just cause you don’t follow them closely enough. I’m not saying how you feel is wrong, I’m just saying XG has always been this way even when you just look at their subsequent releases. Really it all ties into what Tippy Toes is all about, they never want to be complacent, but that doesn’t mean they can’t tone things down or tap into sounds they’ve done before.
Yeahh and I remember finding it a jump and change of direction at the time but because sonically the music was vocal heavy and their styling was still pretty toned down it seemed to work for me.
And I’m not sure where the contradiction is. Like I said in the video and I feel like people keep missing. It felt too quick. I don’t want them to not break boundaries, I just think they moved on from their first break through era too quickly as the sound completely changed to TGIF/GRL GVNG/NEW DANCE then Woke up came and visually things got more intense. We’ll see how things will change in the next couple years, I’ll probably get used to it.
@@Koko3op Contradictory probably wasn’t the best word to use. But I do think the releases from Tippy Toes to SHOOTING STAR could play a role in thinking that they were still finding their sound. They are quite spread out in terms of release but the moment NEW DNA released we got drop after drop of completely wild concepts and different sounds.
20:25 Lol I literally stopped your review to pull up "Check"* because it has that 808 90s beat. XG's got less stacking, and it's just less full and rich. Agree I think everyone's floating in the same sonic space, there's not enough contrast. They need to bump up Cocona to hold it down like Renee. Also I think Chisa does all the stacking (she's the Doyoung in XG?) so maybe again mix it up. Shoot let Maya shoot her lower reg shot in the booth.
*FLO's song, just to clarify for those who are unfamiliar (and y'all REALLY should get to know them)
XG in Manchester now and they come to Amsterdam 29 nov 🎉🎉
Ayyyyy lets go!!!!
Xg is top tier
Howling honestly could be a Woke Up PT2 and or a Re-UP... its x10 better imo but in terms of arrangement and what not vvv much the same.
You're the first person who's given XG legit criticism, and does so without sounding like a hater. The a$$-licking gets very often out of hand, and we need more level headed perspectives. I like your ear for production, not many people notice or comment on it. Me too, I wasn't a fan of how this album sounded in terms of production/mixing. Do you have some singing/production background? Maybe I missed it. The comment on raising up the bar a bit too much is also on point. I guess they're trying to maximize every comeback, (you never know for how long you'll be active) but it's true, it'll be difficult to visually top this MV. They'll need to go even crazier, and it may not be a good thing.
Thank you! Well some thing I’m hating haha. I’ve been signing and studying it for a long time in different ways but not professionally
There is a big difference with listening to song reuploads from unofficial channels than listening to them in official streaming services. It's like expecting to get brand new clothes from a thrift shop
Yet I don’t have this issue with anyone else lol. The reuploads aren’t the issue
@Koko3op which is why it's weird. It's like you have this vendetta against the group cause you never have comments like that towards other groups. It's like your trying to find things to hate lol. Punching the air
In the Rain had amazing vocal layering wdym 😭
Maybe the bass was intended
There’s tape wobble on the chords so the pitch isn’t constant.
Oooooo is that what it is!
Taste in music is something strange, you don't like the bass, i love it😊
@koko3op Selfish Waltz by ateez is a must holy the vocals were beautiful. Truly the kings of B sides!!!
I believe the chords in "In The Rain" are an Am7 4th inversion (E G A C), and then Em7, Fmaj7, E7 (all 3 in root position). That's what I hear at least, because I had the same initial reaction you did. There was something weird that bothered me (just like you were saying) so I had to get my keyboard and figure it out as well. 😂 But now that I know, it doesn't bother me anymore and I really like the song a lot.
And people are trying to gaslight me talking about it may be my headphones and listening to reuploads on TH-cam LOOL. The girls that get it get it!! Thank you! Yess those are the chords I found also. Someone else mentioned an effect on the bass which makes sense as to why the pitch isn’t consistent!
I felt the same way. XG was my favorite group for 2 years, but the changes have taken away their personalities. Idk, I just feel disconnected from them, especially because of the lack of communication with fans
Heyy!
I wanted to let you know one of the best vocalists in kpop, Jay Chang just dropped a new song ‘LaSalle Ave’ today with his 2nd mini album, and they are absolutely incredible! This track feels so personal and nostalgic.
I’d love to see your take on it and hear your thoughts. It’s one of those songs that deserves way more attention, and your reaction could help introduce it to a wider audience. Please check it out! ❤😊
凡人の杞憂
You are so right about the lack of vocal production. Tbh each and every xg song has always sounded empty to me (especially new dance, sorrynot sorry) and had to grow on me after the first listen. Their previous release, iykyk, which i liked on the first listen, was on the right track but they didnt dive into the vocal layers enough and i felt like they relied on the sample. Each and every one of them have so much potential and its such a waste for it not to be showcased on their more vocalbased songs
Heavily disagree with you. Reason? I noticed after seeing the world tour fancams, their songs are meant to be performed live. Remember no singer can hit a high note night after night, that'll them fatigue way faster. They're aiming to be consistently performing the songs live and healthy. And to be honest, blasting high notes doesn't bother me at all because I'm always warry if they can keep it up. No problem with it, I just want them to be healthy and I'm glad they don't follow the typical Kpop path of wanting to hit heavy high notes
If you say XG's music is empty, then you don't know what other groups' music is like. They invest a lot of information into their lyrics as well as their rap, and they sing and rap in English. Their melodies are also unique. If you make music like that and still say it's empty, then I give up. Even though that's your opinion, if you say XG's music is empty, then you should take an English course to understand what they sing or rap about. If you say they're empty, then I think you're Korean or a KPOP fan because Americans or Europeans are very afraid of these girls because of the high damage in their songs.
@@woomi9486 Low-key it seems like you're too much into Kpop because MUSIC is not about high notes. As far as I'm concerned, they're solid with the vocals on every single song and again, no need to belt every time. They're actually more educated in the whole industry in terms of maintaining their vocal health. Don't like it? Then don't listen, or get new ears
@@BlackUzumaki7Im actually surprised i havent gotten into kpop at all. XG is the closest thing ive liked to kpop. When did I say I wanted high notes? All I said was that I wished their music was better produced. Their songs are amazing. Ive been to their concert, ive seen them live! Just because their music is “meant” to be performed live doesn’t mean that they can’t go all out on the vocals. artists such as sza flo ariana grande, they all add so much layers to their songs and still manage to sing their songs live. Their winter without you on that one take channel was the closest thing to what (in my opinion) they should try to uphold. My point is that i feel their music is empty solely based on the fact that they have members who can sing but they restrict themselves, their power, on their songs.
@@nguyennhatphongk17hcm4did you even read my comment? I never said I had problems with the lyrics or the melodies. Also, why are you getting into race?
I feel the same way too, like I know they can rap and everything and I did like woke up and howling, but from where we started, with songs like shooting star, left right and etc, this kinda felt abrupt🤷🏽♀️I'm still excited to see what they do in the future though, cause I've liked all their releases so far, just some more than the others
Not sure how its abrupt. They have had the same styling since Woke up. That’s now four single releases. Plus cyphers and Undefeated.
@glenlake8 no I mean more of the aesthetic change, like before they had an alien/space theme in most of their music videos. And then they started doing the wolf/alpha theme in the woke up mv
@@ashley-ll2oj their fans are called alphaz since the very beginning. The theme has always been they were wolf-inspired alien species.
@@glenlake8 I'm also an ALPHAZ and I also admit that XG is a bit hasty, because XG's music is very good and their songs LEFT RIGHT or SHOOTING STAR are very good and I also want them to do that kind of genre for a while longer, XG is more than capable of doing that, because I think they should go in that direction for a while before doing things like this, XG's music is great and different from other groups, anyway I still support XG alone, they have their own path and we can't have any prejudice against them, I consider XG a revolution in music and no one is like them
The lyric video (made by people not affiliated with XG) versions in TH-cam of In The Rain and Is This Love are weird. I listened to the spotify version and it sounds amazing.
yooooo what song do you use for the intro it sound good
Nayeon Count it!
@ W THANKS man~
this is why I love your reactions. even when you don’t necessarily love it, you always have such a fresh take to it and all of the criticisms make sense! I agree especially with your take on them not harmonising as much thus making it not sound full!
Was wondering, are you waiting for Rose's album to drop before reacting to her songs?
We need Sylvia react to Sm ballad hot times
Super love XG! But appreciate the honest reaction ❤
Maybe listen to the original upload instead of reacting to the reuploaded ones.
I might add also that once XG established that full rap and RnB song with crazy visuals, i noticed some K-pop groups did it as well. Even some Koreans, noticed that especially those who see XG's progress in the industry.
Edit: Yeah, it sounds different to the original upload in XG's account cause i hear also the lowkey bass chords
I mainly do the reuploaded ones because they show who’s singing what. But even on Spotify the effect on the bass is there. It’s a stylistic choice
@Koko3op I see.. Maybe it's just me or they are trying to bring back that old RnB
drake's key is def weird, but XG makes it work
Perhaps there is really simple answer wrapped up in a lot commentary about what they are doing, not doing, should be doing. You are just no longer an XG fan. That’s ok, but this was a lot of yada, yada, yada just to come that conclusion. Maybe you were back in the shooting star, left right era but not so much now. This group is ever evolving. Like Maya said in Million Cash ‘I’m not going backwards’ - That’s who they are and that’s group I am a fan of. They are true artist, they are not doing paint by numbers.
Omg! Wow! You just described what was missing for me. I felt like in the beginning they had more of that production you were talking about. But i think the girls are working too hard and too fast that the purification becomes lazy. Not saying the girls are. I'm saying that they going too fast with multiple releases
Needed your reaction to Taeyeon Comeback mini album
Do NewJeans KGMA 2024 dance practice😊
i agree with your opinion on vocal layering on their releases since left right. even before xg debuted, i listened to chancellor's stuff and felt something similar. he knows a good formula for songs but the songs never feel "complete." so i end up enjoying the first few listens but i never love the songs enough for them to be in my background playlist while driving or studying/working.
Would you ever be willing/have you ever taken a look at their behind the scenes and even their documentary series? I love your reactions and your insight on everything, I just wonder how you’d feel w also knowing how they started and got to this point. But everybody else is more educated then I am 😅 I’m just very happy cause I’m like a second gen K-pop fan and the new stuff doesn’t do it for me anymore but I LOVE XG lol. Great video, I wish you the best with everything you do.
(Also I haven’t thoroughly gone through Patreon yet, so maybe you have and I am just talking outta my ass here 🙃 either way I love your reactions, you don’t just “react” you have educated shit to say and I think that’s what internet should be #iykyk)
Yess I watched and reacted to like 3 episodes cos I was curious! So goood and thank you
@@Koko3op You stopped right when the docu series was about to get really good episode 1-3 is just survival show with them practicing 1 choreo and narrowing down the members, episode 4+ there is so much more variety with vocal, dancing etc and more focus on just building the current members up getting them rdy to debut
Pure lies that I wasn't going to react to xg because it wasn't his thing anymore xd, but now that they're popular you listen to them again🤡
Except I specially mentioned that I’d likely revisit them if people told me I’d like their songs which these people thought I would. As I explained in the video. Also if I cared about their popularity would I have been as honest as I have been to deal with annoying clowns like yourself?
Im a fan and I didn’t like howling, I was definitely not the target of that comeback, but it still amazing, just not my cup of tea
Honestly, they kind of lost me after Shooting Star. It’s not their rapping (I’m a huge hip hop fan) or their vocals or even their dancing (I still think they’re the best female dancers out there). Something just doesn’t quite do it for me, not sure what. I thought Shooting Star was the perfect mix of rap & vocals. Maybe the grittiness or the wolf concept is just not for me. I still love them though and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in concert soon.
where is king taeyeon album reaction!!!!!!!!!!!?>????
On Patreon!
I was so excited to hear they had a couple R&B/vocal heavy songs on the album as I’m not a huge fan of their more rap heavy stuff, but unfortunately they didn’t quite hit for me and I was trying to figure out why. Interesting to hear your thoughts on what’s missing.
I agree the vocal production is lacking especially compared to the rap heavy songs. Compare the vocals on Howling to In the Rain or Is This Love and it’s clear how much more time was spent on Howling. Something about the other two just feels empty or boring and they absolutely shouldn’t with the amount of talent they have. Like somehow overproduced and underproduced at the same time.
Personally, Chisa is my bias and I want a song that truly shows what she is capable of! Was glad you singled her out during the dance practice lol
Isn't this a YOU thing? There are people who love those two songs more than Howling I'd tell you. Or do you need them to have a music video too?
@ I said nothing about the music video lol I was comparing the music only. I’m aware other people love those songs and that’s great! Just not for me unfortunately and I was explaining why.
@@Violetsareblue092 I see, so it is a you thing. Cause personally I love those two songs more than howling.
Bro can you please react to Treasure Songs - Jikjin, I Love You and King Kong, who will like them , please react to it.
I have those on my channel besides King Kong which I listened to off camera and like. I also reacted to treasures concert on Patreon!
Low key hated this take because it just sounded like someone picking through a haystack trying to find something to hate on. It was unnecessary in my opinion. You are disgruntled because the Howling was too good. Then kind of meh’d the remaining 2 because.. reasons.
I had to just skip the remainder after In the Rain because it just irritated me (your demeanour directed to what was very hard work by hundreds of people and of course the girls).
24:47 bruh in woke up MAYA said , I'm the judge and jury, I don't wanna hear it, I'm the one they fearin', keep it on the low
This is automated, I'm the motivator, told my haters, "Yo, more the merrier"
Y'all my entertainment fascinated, I'm just laughin' 'cause it's so hilarious, they don't care with haters 😂😂😂
I wasn’t talking about haters though lol. Non-fans does not mean haters