XG are an interesting prospect. Managed by legendary J-pop company Avex, they’re finding much more success outside their home country than within. This seems to be by design, as they perform in English and target many K-pop venues and audiences. I haven’t seen them appear on any of Japan’s numerous music shows, but they’ll be coming to this years’ KCON.
GRL GVNG is a pre-release for the group’s upcoming mini album and comes paired with a music video that features a shortened version of the song. Like much of their work so far, the track sees the girls boasting over a trap beat. They pull off this sound well and there’s a nice flow to the song’s construction. The rumbling synths supporting the beat feel reminiscent of aespa. At times, GRL GVNG almost feels like a more skeletal peer to Next Level.
Though the song’s chorus is a little silly, it’s hard to come away from GRL GVNG without that hook looping in your head. I appreciate the restraint of the arrangement, and the vocals that precede the chorus are smooth and dynamic. As far as pre-releases go, GRL GVNG sets the stage for a confident banger.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I think it’s cute for a pre-release. I ended up loving both Shooting Star and Left Right so I hope the main track is something in the vein of those songs, but elevated
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They’re dressed like Pocketcat
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I dont really like hip-hop but I can make an exception here
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Musically the song is solid I guess, but I just can’t get over how tacky their whole concept is. Every XG song feels like they are crafted out of the most generic and cliche elements of western hip-hop/rnb as an attempt to market to that audience. The idea of a foreign company appropriating an image and sound without actually understanding any of the nuance associated with it and then trying to sell it back to us just comes off as very distasteful. Regardless of your thoughts or feelings about cultural appropriation, I don’t think it’s possible to deny how goofy this is.
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I should note that XG are definitely not the only kpop (or kpop adjacent) act that are guilty of this, they just happen to be the most prominent example.
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so sad that people like you can’t enjoy the music. I cant understand the way of you thinking.
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The thing is they’ve cited many influential artists of hiphop/r&b as their inspo. It’s not appropriation to make music of those genre as a foreign artist. You’re taking it all way too seriously which is making it hard for you to enjoy the music. Every XG song has an inspiration for it and none of it feels cliche nor generic. It feels like XG they put their own spin and flavor in it. Their most “generic” song would be GRL GVNG but even then it’s flowing with their own style and vibe. I also don’t understand how their concept is tacky either when each concept they’ve shown has been pulled off exceptionally well…
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All right, let’s go step by step. Exactly, what part of the concept is tacky? They are showing off a crazy value production in the music video, and the members have a great skill at rapping and singing.
Then, the next point sounds too much like you’re playing the social justice warrior right here. I agree on the fact that cultural appropriation is a real issue, but utilizing XG as an example is what’s goofy in your narrative. The group has talked about their musical influences including TLC, Beyoncé, Kehlani and many more.
So, the question is, does liking R&B/hip-hop, and subsequently being influenced by the genre make you an appropriator? I truly do not think so. XG has recognized where the inspiration comes from and what it means to them so your comment comes off as uninformed and try hard.
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Kinda lowkey (but not as low as Tippy Toes), definitely feels more “b-side” or “intro” than songs like Left Right. A perfect album or performance opener tbh, I can visualize them performing GRL GVNG right before their title track on music shows.
8! Need a few listen (and the MV) before it clicked for me.
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They’re all really good dancers. No wonder Hikaru is so good. This song is good. I don’t know if this will be a song I listen to a billion times but they’re definitely a group I’m interested in.
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unrelated to the song itself but good GOD that mv is absolutely stunning…..i cant believe it took cho giseok this long to direct a mv
(the song itself feels like something tinashe would put on 333 btw)
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i just LOVE that concept wise, they’ve been leaning heavy into contemporary japanese influences, from the harajuku y2k styling for shooting star to this cyberpunk/90s mecha japanime/monster girl aesthetic. i so badly want to see them perform in music shows with these costumes it would be so epic
The song itself makes me bop along, but nothing extra remarkable. I still think xg singing in english is a double edged sword esp when they dont write their own lyrics, but i have to remind myself that this is also pretty much how i reacted to taeyang and bts’ early hiphop songs. like, yeah it is kinda cringe but do i catch myself dancing along to it while doing housework? All the time.
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