EXO's 8th Studio Album REVERXE Release Signals Turnaround in Global Chart Sweep
January 21, 2026
On January 19 at 6:00 PM, EXO released their 8th studio album REVERXE, kicking off a long-awaited and clearly defined comeback mood. The title track, Crown, entered Melon’s Top 100 at No. 27, and as of 9:00 AM on January 20 it stood at No. 37, remaining on the chart. Crown is a hard dance track that blends Atlanta trap drums, heavy metal guitars, and EDM synths, with siren effects and a powerful vocal line that heightens tension. The lyrics compare a precious 존재 to a crown and pledge to protect it to the end, according to a representative. The performance, continuing a cinematic worldview, stands out in choreography, featuring a Kai-Sehun pair dance and a crown pose in the chorus. Fans were also drawn to the returning Tree of Life motif. Elements reminiscent of the 2013 song Wolf and of beauty sparked nostalgic feelings among fans.
Amid the shift, there was a sense of vacancy. At the showcase, five members—Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun—attended, while Lay did not participate due to personal reasons. Reports also pointed to a vacancy in the vocal line, as Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin could not perform on stage due to SM and revenue settlement issues. Nonetheless, D.O. drove the vocal flow, and Chanyeol expanded beyond rap to include vocal parts, boosting his presence.
In addition to the title track, the b-side I’m Home is a winter-inspired emotional track drawing attention. At the showcase, behind-the-scenes stories and discussions, along with a segment where bodies reversed, added to the lively atmosphere. Fan interaction deepened, and EXO-L reportedly became the core动力 behind the新 release.
Globally, EXO’s strength was reaffirmed. Immediately after release, they topped the QQ Music digital album chart (double platinum certification for sales over 2 million yuan). Across Tencent Music’s five platforms, they occupied positions from No. 1 to No. 9. Kugou Music’s digital album chart also ranked No. 1. The iTunes Top Albums chart reached No. 1 across 35 regions and the Top 10 in 48 regions. In Japan, RecoChoku Daily Album Ranking was No. 1, and AWA Real-Time Rising Chart also led. Korea’s Hanter Chart daily chart crowned No. 1 as well. Global fandom’s power was reconfirmed.
To promote the new release, EXO are scheduled to perform on January 22 on Mnet’s M Countdown, January 23 on KBS2TV’s Music Bank, January 24 on MBC’s Show! Music Core, and January 25 on SBS’s Inkigayo, presenting Crown. Through REVERXE, EXO reaffirm their narrative despite lineup changes and emphasize the joy of sharing with EXO-L. Fans had been waiting for statements from members like “I’m proud and happy to be EXO. Now all that remains is to enjoy with EXO-L,” and observers note this activity could be a catalyst for reuniting the fanbase.
Overall, REVERXE’s first milestone has been widely regarded as a success. The album remains adventurous while retaining EXO’s unique color, and its continued performance on global charts points to the direction of future activities.