Music
XLOV: Bringing the Rizz and the LOVE!
XLOV are a four member Kpop group with a genderless concept and amazing talent. They have recently visited Australia and New Zealand as part of their first world tour and we want to make sure we continue sharing the RIZZ….if you’re new to XLOV then keep reading to find out more.
The group is set to release their second mini-album I,God on May 27th via major online music platforms.
The new album I,God promises to be a masterpiece with its diverse genre compositions, ranging from an intro track to unit songs. Starting with the jazz-based intro track 法則:THE RULES (법칙:더 룰스), it features Extancy, a unit song by Woo Mooty and Louis infused with intense house beats and hyperpop elements; BACK 2 BACK, highlighting a heavy bass sound; HIPS, a vibrant hip-hop track by Hyun and Haru blending bass and punch drums; and the EDM-based pop track Masterpiece.
The title track SERVE (서브), stands out with its groovy bass and diverse sound composition. The group is expected to capture even more attention with lyrics that blend an unparalleled confident charm into a mysterious yet overwhelming melody.
Let’s take a quick look back at their song ‘Rizz’, from November last year.
Feeling the ‘Rizz’
‘Rizz’ is the title track of XLOV’s first mini album ‘UXLXVE’ and a personal favourite of mine. It was co-written by the group’s leader and producer Wumati and, true to the group’s genderless concept, the song embraces elements of masculine and feminine in its style and choreography.
Hot damn, XLOV, this song is sexy!
Whether watching the MV, a live performance or listening to the track, when ‘Rizz’ starts it commands attention. In the MV it’s a literal punch to the face. (See the MV above if you missed it). Performed live, there’s a massive hair swish and rotating backbend by Rui followed by a jump to splits by all the members. Sonically, it starts with bendy electronic sounds, like bubbles rising through water, and then whack, straight to chorus. Then we really see the group’s artistic dexterity.
“Yeah, I got that rizz, rizz, rizz, rizz, rizz.”
Under the sharp staccato syllables of the vocal the tempo feels like it moves slowly, with an undulating serpentine motion.
“Body movin’ with a hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss”
The contrast in the song, from sharp to undulating and rhythmic to melodic, builds and releases tension, intoxicatingly.
“Love the way you sayin’ please, please, please, please”
The lyrics tell a story of magnetic desire. Like a vampire and their victim, XLOV describe a dangerous attraction.
“Dyed red with blood kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss”
The love interest is not passive prey, though. The game goes in both directions and feels instinctive. It’s taboo but it’s real and honest.
“Watch, we slayed it”
Choreography
XLOV’s choreography and dance performance is always killing. In ‘Rizz’ the song’s signature move in the chorus is delicious. It focusses in on one hand, one finger marking the rhythm of the vocal, accented by whole body hits or head slides. Overall, the song’s choreography is detailed and precise, but it’s executed in a way that lets the audience really experience every moment. From the dynamic start with Rui’s incredible flexibility and the group’s jump-splits, to sensual moments that seem to be slowed down and savoured, everything has its time. XLOV’s dance performance is just as much part of the storytelling as the lyrics.
I particularly love the move they do in the chorus with hands palms up against the chest like they are making a shelf to hold ‘something’ up. The move is cheeky! When XLOV did dance challenges for ‘Rizz’ with other male artists, it was delightful to see whether the other idols did the choreography as is, or whether they changed the palms up move to something more masculine. Either way it just highlighted the move the XLOV members do and the play between masculine and feminine in the song.
About a boy …
XLOV are all about pushing gender norms and social expectations. And in this song, there is a quick moment that signals that this is a story about same sex attraction.
“Take it slow, boy, I’m gonna kill it hard, like, yeah”
XLOV’s concept already pushes gender boundaries, so to also sprinkle in the idea that the story is about another man, is another step in challenging norms and expectations.
When XLOV performed ‘Rizz’ on SBS Inkigayo (16/11/2025)) two lines in the song were censored, including the line with “Boy”. The video with the censored lines is no longer available on official SBS channels. Fortunately, other broadcasters didn’t have a problem with the lyrics.
Danger and freedom
To my mind, the song expresses some of the dangers, and the rewards, of challenging social norms. The MV has moments of jarring violence. The punch to the face, the electrocution. If you are different, the fight and danger can be real. In the MV XLOV members fight crushing forces in a dark, conformist, supernatural word. In the lyrics the attraction between the two people is irresistible but dangerous.
But XLOV show us that the flipside of this danger is freedom. In the MV they are fighting, but they aren’t on the defensive. They are luminous and powerful. In the song, the lyrics invoke vampires and the hunt. This is sexy storytelling, but maybe it’s also something more? People who don’t conform to social expectations, queer people, disabled people, etc are often drawn to characters who are the villains and monsters. Aren’t villains more interesting? They exist outside of the rules and norms. They are told they are ‘evil’ but even so they have the freedom of being true to themselves. ‘Rizz’ uses intelligent and beautiful storytelling, music, dance and stye to capture something real.
Final thoughts ….
XLOV really bring it when they say they’ve got the rizz. It’s not just bravado or posturing. XLOV are never gimmicky; their artistry feels honest. And in ‘Rizz’ the group creates something magnetic, deeply sexy and genderless. XLOV’s music and artistic expression gives something powerful to LGBT+ fans and music lovers alike.
What are your thoughts on XLOV? Are you looking forward to their next release? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Jasmin
Edited by Narelle
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