K-pop group EXO has returned with their eighth studio album, Reverxe, released on Jan. 19, 2026, with the new title track Crown featuring the SM Music Performance style.
The six-member group—Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay—performs Crown with a mix of trap beats, heavy metal guitars, and electronic dance sounds. The song features strong vocals and rap sections, with sirens and powerful singing that builds throughout.
The song compares a special person to a crown that everyone wants, with the members promising to protect it. The message feels important given the group's situation right now. Three members—Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin—are not part of this release because of money and contract disagreements with SM Entertainment, according to Donga.
This is EXO's first full album in more than two and a half years. Their last album came out in 2023. The comeback happens after all remaining members finished their required military service, with Sehun completing his in September 2025. Lay is also back with the group for the first time since 2018, when he started focusing on solo work in China.
The album has nine songs total and shows the group's singing skills across different music styles. Besides Crown, the album includes Back It Up, a dance song the group performed in December at the Melon Music Awards. Other songs are Crazy, Suffocate, Moonlight Shadows, Back Pocket, Touch & Go, Flatline, and I'm Home.
The Crown music video and dance moves use the SM Music Performance style that EXO showed fans in December, Forbes reported. The performance has eight backup dancers and special 3D effects connected to EXO's fictional world. One signature move shows all members putting crowns on their heads at the same time to match the song's words.
The album sold well right away. Reverxe reached number one on the iTunes Top Albums list in 35 countries around the world. It also got double platinum status on China's QQ Music platform. The group held a comeback show at Kyung Hee University in Seoul on release day, meeting fans in person for the first time in over two years, as per CNA Lifestyle.
During the show, leader Suho said the group plans to tour in April for their 14th anniversary. However, it is not yet clear if all members will join the tour.
