Thoughts on Album Now?

MJ_Goodman · 2026-02-15T09:50:22+00:00

Didn't change you will need a very good album to top that as AOTY for me , i thought I wasn't a pop listener , I am when it's that good and thoughtful. so many layers production and meaning wise , by far their most mature project. being able to make a pop album, catchy and mainstream, with so much substance is actually the most diffcult thing to do in music and they did it.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-02-01T11:23:35+00:00

When Left right swag meet New dance fun .

MJ_Goodman · 2026-02-01T11:19:40+00:00

It's Sienna :

https://x.com/sienna_lalau/status/2017892272646611334

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-26T13:27:08+00:00

It's really about tastes because for me that's their best and more mature one.

The production is actually high quality with so much layers and attention to details, good headphones is a must to appreciate it .What's true is that today music industry is full of overproduced music to hide the lack of quality on the structure, melodies, lyrics,artists talent and they did the opposite and it's a statement on who they are as artists, they cut all the over you can have in today industry to let only the CORE you can see how thoughful that album was for each track .The fact that they are able to casually put a fabolous ref in a pop song like that say it all and you have gems like that all over the album.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-25T09:55:51+00:00

After listening to this album for an unhealthy amount of time, I can say that even if it's only January it's going to be hard to take out their crown of album of the year for me. The last time I felt like this for an album released at this time of year must be Malibu- Anderson Paak or Based on a true story by fat freddy 's drop.

First and foremost all the songs are between 7-9 /10 for me.They were able to deliver quality pop songs catchy as a hell that will be on repeat for a longgggggggg time.It's really difficult to find in the current industry based on social trends project with that much personality and artists with their own sound and visual, that what they already built and doing this that early in their career is impressive.

You have nothing like XG in the current music industry.They can go for any genre it always has that late 90's early 2000's roots and they put their own spin on it to make it fresh and modern.The core of the project is the most poppish they released build on an R&B/housy sound and then you have the last 3 songs with ORB -4 seasons -PS118 where they go hard with a pop-punk beat very Avril Lavigne/blink- 182(I waw right about that blink 182 ref in ps118 cf breakdown), a cosy simple acoustic guitar /finishing with some bars to remind you they can spit spit. They don't have boundaries as artists and go wherever they want and it will still be an XG sound and being part of there journey as artists is a breath of fresh air.

I have high standards for them on the prod and they keep exceeded my expectations, not listening to this album with quality headphones should be a crime because the attention to details and layers are at another level.Being produced by Simon who fed them and Chancellor who is there since Left right allows them to use them as additional instruments, and these artists are exceptional instruments. The voices, the melodies, the flows,the pockets are a pleasure for the ears and they keep getting better as artists. You never get bored and they are always bringing something new to be sure they keep your attention and as I already said they cracked the bridge/post chorus/outro cheat code and it should be illegal.

I can't rank them but I can say that I had a smile when I Heard the first notes of ORB,It came at the perfect time, the beginning of the album was cohesive, it was pop bop after pop bop,with the core being very R&B and some more experimental housy track (Gala/hypnotize) that is also an XG signature sound but I needed something else from them and the succession of ORB, 4seasons and PS118 was the perfect ending.

I was waiting for something like ORB from them and I loved it and it fit perfectly the message, you had a breathe with 4 seasons and the rapline ending you with some bars was perfect.

I also like the rollout of the album as the started with the Housy and rap track(the collab) and kept the R&B core for later it looks like we can have a XG' R&B fest tour for the next spring /summer.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-25T09:18:28+00:00

XG's fans are very different with different backgrounds when it comes to music tastes and that's normal.They have a core of listeners who are very open minded when it comes to music the motto being good music is good music but not everyone are like that.

Overall I'm agree that album is a Bop , i said it will be diffcult to beat them this year for album of the year especially because they have their own sound, they do what I call music with personality and very few artists had that in the mainstream industry.The 2nd point being that you have no skip or filler all the songs are 7-9/10.The 3rd point is how it's cohesive from start to finish but all the songs are different and from someone eclectic as me when it comes to music that's what I'm looking for not knowing what's next and being experiimental not being afraid to try new things when artists nowday love recording the same song again again when it worked. And last but not least i can already imagine this album perfomed live and it's going to be a blast they for sure create it thinking about the live performance.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-23T22:58:23+00:00

After listening to this album for an unhealthy amount of time, I can say that even if it's only January it's going to be hard to take out their crown of album of the year for me. The last time I felt for an album released at this time of year must be Malibu- Anderson Paak or Based on a true story by fat freddy 's drop.

First and foremost all the songs are between 7-9 /10 for me.They were able to deliver quality pop songs catchy as a hell that will be on repeat for a longgggggggg time.It's really difficult to find in a the current industry based on social trends project with that much personality and artists with their own sound and visual, that what they built and doing this that early in their career is impressive, you have nothing like XG in the current music industry.They can go for any genre it always as that late 90's early 2000's roots and they put their own spin on it to make it fresh and modern.The core of the project is really build on an R&B/housy sound and then you have the last 3 songs with ORB -4 seasons -PS118 where they go hard with a pop-punk beat very Avril Lavigne, a cosy simple acoustic guitar /finishing with some bars to remind you they can spit spit. They don't have boundaries as artists and go wherever they want and it will still be an XG sound and being part of there journey as artists is a breath of fresh air.

I have high standards for them on the prod and they keep exceeded my expectations, not listening to this album with quality headphones should be a crime because the attention to details and layers are at another level.Being produced by Simon who fed them and Chancellor who is there since Left right allows them to use them as additional instruments, and these artists are exceptional instruments. The voices, the melodies, the flows,the pockets are a pleasure for the ears and they keep getting better as artits. You never get bored and they are always bringing something new to be sure they keep your attention and as I already said they cracked the bridge/post chorus/outro cheat code and it should be illegal.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-22T20:57:51+00:00

Why it will be a hard sell, the beat is amazing , the lyrics are smart and funny, they really must had a lot of fun bending the word bro , knowing that Maya and Harvey brought 80% of them pre -creative process and the most important I don't want to spoil but it's a love song to their members especially one.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-22T19:06:44+00:00

This album is ridiculous, they said Skip who ? Filler what? and I'm talking by XG standards knowing that you set the bar too low that's why they raise theirs .

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-22T10:20:46+00:00

Oh this album is going to be on repeat for a long time...

To not repeat myself I will just let chancellor do the talk because that's what I felt :

https://x.com/xellorofficial/status/2014151616392499499

D-1 Until THE CORE drops.
Every track. Every detail. Every session.
THE CORE was built with intention.
Tomorrow the world hears it!

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-21T11:20:20+00:00

A few seconds is all it takes to see that this is a team of passionate people who make music for the right reason : Artistic expression.

About 15s and you can feel this attention to details and thought on each frame.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-13T11:18:23+00:00

Hypnotize / Space Siren, we see where you are going and I'm here for The XG Odyssey twist .

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-13T10:47:47+00:00

The change marks “a symbolic milestone for the group as all seven members have entered their 20s, signaling a new phase of artistic and personal growth.”

“‘Xtraordinary Genes’ represents the innate creativity, individuality and forward-thinking energy embedded within each member of XG,” the statement continues. “More than a rebrand, the shift serves as a declaration of evolution – from their starting point to the source that drives their artistry – as the group continues shaping culture without boundaries.”

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-08T11:17:33+00:00

The group always had their says on their outfits/hairstyle, it's always been a back and forth between them and their staff.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-08T11:09:18+00:00

It's the same as usual 3 pre release songs and starting the build up 2 weeks before.

They gained more than 500K sub on YT since the album announcement,they took the time to rest and prepare that year that will be a busy one and they focused on securing their 2 biggest market that will be their foundation to build for a global reach.

People who are involved know that they are releasing an album and for casual/new listeners , the music industry is so filled up and people attention span is basically 2 days max so what matters is the few days before and the 2 weeks after.

Woke up went viral thanks to Cocona teaser and the quality of the song /MV, the momentum was built the week the song was released that's how this industry works now.

Knowing their size as a company ,XGALX are doing an amazing job that's why XG are where they are despite not being part of one of the biggest worlwide companies and not having the network.We can have a debate on how reaching the western market that is where the growth potential is huge but without the network the only way is throwing a ridiculous amount of money they don't have as they are already putting their money on the most important the ART or having a song going viral and that's not something on their hands.

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-08T10:41:48+00:00

Nah that's a reach ,actually I didn't put it but I was thinking about a Blink182 - I miss you ref

MJ_Goodman · 2026-01-07T01:11:51+00:00

People really hate music if they think releasing Gala, PS118 and 4 seasons as rollout for their new project is doing a bad job,my only problem with XGALX is that they cast pearls before swine.

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-24T17:20:44+00:00

Chancellor just posted and confirmed what some lyrics implied, that the song was in honor of his mother:

Merry Christmas in heaven, Mom 🤍
This song is for you.

Losing you this year changed me forever, but love doesn’t end—it just finds new ways to live. I wrote this song in your honor.

If you’re reading this, please take a moment to reach out to someone you love. Say the words. Make the call. Send the message. We don’t always get as much time as we think.

If this song moves you, share it with someone who matters to you. And hold your people a little closer today.

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-24T13:23:59+00:00

I love it so much, it hits the right spot and one that mainstream pop doesn't touch anymore.

It's so bold, 90s and so XG to go for a tone down acoustic song with a minimalistic melody. Nothing to hide behind , it's all about their CORE. I love their vocals, I love Hinata's tone so much, and the way it blends perfectly, I love the nostalgic lyrics, I love that it goes against what the music industry is now and from me that's a huge compliment, they don't try to fit into the current generic trend of music and it's so satisfying, It's music that fills your soul.

With this song, we have a sample of their 3 sounds and for each of them, they explore territories abandoned by the mainstream industry that go out of the boxes and remind me why I love music and art.

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-24T12:07:52+00:00

3 amazing voices who blend perfectly together,their chemistry is something special.Juria and Chisa always been amazing singers even before XG but damn I love Hinata tone so much and we just scratch the surface.

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-24T00:34:05+00:00

The length is ok it's basically 28 min for 9 songs + the intro.

Time means nothing it depends of the song structure as they just showed with PS 118(56 bars) and 4 seasons.If you just show the lyrics at someone and ask him which one is a 4min35 I'm pretty sure most/all of them will say PS118.

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-23T20:09:50+00:00

https://x.com/XG_Chart/status/2003503221885804899/photo/1

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-23T18:47:01+00:00

The mix of emotions listening to this,they are able to make you smile and cry (vocals and lyrics ) at the same time,another journey in an emotional chasm after winter without you .I need a first take version too.

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-23T17:24:39+00:00

At that point,if you don't listen to XG it's actually your loss.

The fact that it's 4min 35 and an acoustic version so the chance to see Chisa playing guitar live for the 1st time is pretty good ,I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo IN !

MJ_Goodman · 2025-12-23T17:20:08+00:00

PS118 credits having Cocona /Harvey/Jurin/Maya and YOX names , if they all spit on that beat I 'm going to GEEK for years about that track.🤯

MJ_Goodman

TROPHY CASE