XG’s ‘IYKYK’ Sets the Tone for Its Second Mini Album, ‘Awe’

As part of their upcoming second mini album Awe, hip-hop/R&B-inspired Japanese girl group XG is releasing their second pre-release track, “IYKYK,” on October 11. Setting the tone for the album, the song has XG “exploring the universe” in a sonic excursion that solidifies XG’s attractive, ever-evolving sound and style. 

In anticipation of the song, a teaser of its music video has been released. It features the band members in otherworldly settings and a sample of the iconic Japanese hip-hop group M-Flo’s hit single “Prism” (2001).

As an artist and a global pop sensation, XG strives to stay out of the box with intriguing music and introduce novel ideas in its creative pursuits, pushing past limits. “IYKYK” builds on that quest—it’s XG’s adventurous expression to explore new sonic territories and expand its artistry.

The track is a plea to be a part of this journey into the unknown, a mystical realm. The blend of the classic, “Prism” and a rhythmic 2-step beat culminates in an immersive listen, evoking a sense of “drifting through space.” According to a press release, the song’s chorus, with a catchy, thought-provoking line, “If You Know You Know,” is a central message for those in tune with this musical journey’s deeper meaning and significance. 

“IYKYK” previews the mood of the album Awe. As the word awe connotes a sense of amazement and anxiety, the record captures what we experience when coming across “a new presence,” feelings of wonder and excitement. Thus, the release attempts to stir up that particular feeling and give unforgettable moments with XG’s music.

The sound of Awe is a creative bid that aims to take one to infinity and beyond, an astral escape, exploring a surreal side of XG’s sound. And the beating heart of it lies in what describes the septet best, “a new breed breaking boundaries,” in producing one-of-a-kind music. XG: Jurin, Chisa, Harvey, Hinata, Juria, Maya, and Cocona, from its first single, “Tippy Toes,” (2022) to the approaching “IYKYK,” continues to expand its oeuvre with distinctive perspectives and performances. 

“IYKYK” kicks off what’s next, Awe’s arrival, through a mystical musical ride—an ideal fusion of classic and contemporary sounds, a unique vision, and thoughtful lyrics—into something limitless—XG exploring the universe, where the only limits are those that exist within the confines of our thoughts and assumptions.

The song drops at midnight on Friday, October 11.