New DNA

In late July 2023, the release of XG's debut extended play was announced by their label Xgalx for September 27. The agency noted that the EP would come in two different versions: "X", which "focuses on XG's mysterious and sharp" image, and "G", which "shows a pure and refreshing side".^[1]

NME described the record as a "a menagerie of styles, influences and genres, coated with a cybernetic, bio-surreal sheen".^[2] Wonderland expressed that the EP "symbolizes an evolution of the seven as a group, both imagetically and sonically, bringing references of hip-hop/R&B to their music."^[3] The Korea Herald wrote that it "expand[s] on XG's sonic scape, weaving through multiple new genres the likes of UK Drill and Jersey Club to the group's essential hip-hop and R&B sound."^[4]

Carmen Chin of NME gave the EP a rating of four out of five stars; in "X-Gene", she praised Jurin, Cocona and Harvey's verses as "exceptionally fluid", with "their voices and tones complementing each other as trap beats pulsate", and Chisa and Juria's "vocal prowess". She highlighted "TGIF" as a standout from the record.^[2] Kim Do-heon of Zenerate ranked the album at number 15 for their list of The 15 Best K-pop Albums of 2023.^[5]