Song Review: XG – Howling

XG are back with their second mini album, building on the success of earlier 2024 singles Something Ain’t Right and IYKYK. Those two songs touched on the dancier side of their music, so it makes sense that Howling would move back into hip-hop. These seem to be XG’s two musical modes, with a healthy dose of r&b thrown in for good measure.

Wolf howls are are a tried and true element in K-pop and J-pop, and given Howling‘s theme I’m surprised the group didn’t time it specifically for Halloween. Much of the track has an ominous energy, particularly when underlined by its creeping guitar riff. These moments give way to a smooth pre-chorus, led by crystalline vocals and airy production. I like this contrast, but I wish the track found a way to merge these strengths into a strong, satisfying chorus. As it stands, Howling‘s centerpiece is its least interesting moment, mired by a dull trap beat and gimmicky hooks.

However, Howling succeeds on a purely textural level. There’s quite a lot happening within its instrumental and many of the sounds are compelling on their own. Given a more ambitious set of melodies, I could see Howling become a theatrical highlight. Right now, the track is a bit too subdued for me.

Grade: C+