XG are officially entering album era. The septet has confirmed that their first full studio album will arrive on January 23, 2026, with a dedicated special site and staged pre-order rollout across Japan, Korea and the U.S.

What’s locked in so far

• Release date: January 23, 2026 (official). Note some retailers list later domestic ship dates (e.g., Jan 31 in Japan).
• Pre-release single: “GALA” dropped on September 19, 2025, billed as a teaser from the album.
• Concept cue: “GALA” is framed as a high-energy, runway-ready anthem with futuristic textures—signaling a bold fashion-meets-club direction for the LP.
• Versions & formats: Official channels and retailers flag multiple editions (e.g., XG ver., Regular, Vinyl), with detailed product info rolling out during the pre-order window.

The road here: momentum and milestones

2025 has been an all-systems-go year for XG. Beyond steady single activity, the group capped their world-tour cycle with a live album release on August 8, 2025, keeping performance heat high right before the studio-album news.
Media also spotlighted that the album countdown aligned with XG’s a-nation 2025 summer stage, where outlets reported the announcement landing alongside the “GALA” reveal.

Sound & story: what “GALA” hints about the album

“Runway” is more than a styling note—it’s narrative. The track’s language of catwalk dominance, synth heft, and percussive swagger positions XG to fuse their bilingual flow with fashion-show drama. If the album expands this motif, expect:

• Big-room hooks that translate on festival stages
• Visual storytelling that leans into couture, chrome, and kinetic choreography
• Cross-market strategy: a concept legible in Tokyo, Seoul, L.A., and Europe alike (the special site and staggered pre-orders underline this).

Release timeline to watch

• Sept 19, 2025: Pre-release single “GALA” (digital).
• Fall 2025: Ongoing pre-order activations; U.S. store opens October 2025 per official guidance.
• Jan 23, 2026: Debut full album worldwide (official). Retailer ship dates may vary by region.

Why this era matters

XG have spent three years building a signature lane—from “Tippy Toes” precision to arena-scale swagger—without the anchor of a studio LP. A cohesive album lets them:

• Codify the XG sonic identity beyond singles and minis
• Scale global marketing with collectible formats and vinyl
• Convert tour hype into first-week numbers and chart debuts

If “GALA” is the thesis statement, the album is poised to be a statement of range and world-building—audio built for the runway, and visuals built to live in your head.