XG is leaning into radical self-love

The Japanese group's debut album builds on their signature sound, with a few twists.

- BY CHRISTINE TERRISSE

XG'S visual identity weaves together anime, streetwear and aliens, while their music is firmly rooted in American '90s R&B and hip-hop.

XGALX

It's mid-December and Jurin, Maya, Chisa, Hinata, Juria, Cocona and Harvey, the seven members of XG, catch their breath after vogueing, duck-walking their way through "Gala," a tribute to ballroom culture and the lead single from their upcoming first full-length album.

breaking and Soon, they are surrounded. A cluster of makeup artists, PR reps, translators and crew members huddle about while some members steal a smile and exchange hand hearts with giddy fans in the audience.

Sienna Lalau is part of the team assembled on the Universal Studios soundstage for XG's taping of "The Voice" season finale. Choreographer and movement director for the downtown L.A.-based Lab Studios, Lalau, 25, works frequently with Jennifer Lopez and has created and performed with Ciara, Missy Elliott, BTS and Ozuna, among others. She has choreographed for XG since before the group's 2022 debut.

For Lalau, XG stood out from the beginning.

"Carrie, my manager, she had told me, 'Oh, there's this new Japanese group that wants you to choreograph for them," " she says over the phone during a break in rehearsals for Lopez's Las Vegas residency.

In the past, Lalau had minimal interaction with labels regarding K-pop submissions "send in the thing, and then that's pretty much it," she says. By contrast, XG's company, XGALX, sent over a detailed brief of its young members, each of whom had spent the previous five years honing their nascent rap, vocal and dance skills.