Reverxe

Following the release of Exo's seventh studio album Exist in July 2023, the members focused on solo projects and the completion of mandatory military service for Kai and Sehun. The production of the album was influenced by a long-running legal dispute between SM Entertainment and members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (Exo-CBX) over revenue-sharing and settlement data, which ultimately led to several court dismissals of the trio's claims and investigations by the Fair Trade Commission finding no wrongdoing by the agency. Citing a "destruction of trust" from the litigation, SM excluded Exo-CBX from the project, which instead features Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay, the latter returning for his first major group release since 2018. On September 8, 2025, SM released a teaser image through Exo's official social media accounts featuring a lunar eclipse–like visual set in outer space and the text "December 2025", indicating a potential future release or group activity. The image referenced Exo's fictional narrative, which has been part of the group's concept since their debut in 2012, through the phrase "When We Become True One, a New World Awakens". The announcement took place shortly before the military discharge of the group's final enlisting member, Sehun, after which Exo was expected to resume collective promotions and fan-related activities. On December 8, 2025, SM released a cinematic trailer through Exo's official YouTube channel, signaling the beginning of the promotional rollout for the album. In the video, the members, except Kai, are depicted struggling to believe in their own supernatural powers, blurring the line between reality and dreams. Despite this, they are mysteriously drawn back to the symbolic "Tree of Life", a recurring motif in Exo's original universe storyline. The trailer concluded with the reveal of the studio album's title, Reverxe. The album title is a stylized variation of the word "reverse", intended to signal a continuation of the group's debut concept. Scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026, the album was preceded by a fan meeting titled "Exo'verse" held on December 14, 2025, at the Inspire Arena. During this event, the group would performed their 2013 song "The First Snow" alongside the first public preview of a new track from the upcoming album. Four days later, SM Entertainment announced the release of "I'm Home", a b-side track from Exo's eighth studio album. The song follows the group's established history of winter-themed releases, such as "Miracles in December" (2013), "Sing for You" (2015), "For Life" (2016), and "Universe" (2017). The music video was released on the same day of the fan meeting coinciding with the song's live debut. The performance was made available to global audiences through livestreams on Beyond Live and Weverse. On December 15, SM announced the details of the album, which included the release date to be on January 19, 2026, along with physical and digital formats. The album consists of nine tracks and marks the group's first full-length release in 30 months since Exist (2023). A new logo image was revealed through Exo's official social media accounts, and pre-orders opened the same day. A comeback showcase was held on the same day of the album's release at the Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Hall in Dongdaemun District, Seoul. Ahead of the album release, Exo appeared at the 2025 Melon Music Awards, marking their first appearance at the ceremony in eight years. During the broadcast, they premiered the performance of "Back It Up", a dance track included on the album, and performed several songs from their previous discography. On January 5, 2026, "Crown" was revealed as the title track for the album. On January 18, the music video teaser for "Crown" was released. The next day, Exo released the album and the title track's music video. == Promotion ==

In late 2025, prior to Exo's fan meeting on December 14, SM announced that Lay would not be taking part in group activities due to "unavoidable circumstances", resulting in being promoted as five members. Exo initiated a multi-channel promotional campaign for their eighth studio album, Reverxe. The campaign utilized various guerrilla marketing tactics throughout Seoul, including the distribution of business cards featuring encrypted codes near the Gocheok Sky Dome and the SM Entertainment headquarters, as well as the appearance of individuals in black cloaks branded with the album logo in districts such as Gangnam, Seongsu, and Hongdae. Digital engagement further supported the launch through short-form video content and an interactive "mystery quiz" released on their X account on December 29, which integrated the album's fictional narrative with social media participation. Exo held a pop-up store titled "Reverxe the World" at The Hyundai Seoul from January 20 to 27, 2026. The installation was themed after the group's "Exo Universe" concept, featuring a maze-like layout and a "Cube" installation intended to visualize the members' fictional supernatural powers. The venue included displays of album versions, props from the "Crown" music video, interactive zones for producing stickers and photo cards, and a retail area for merchandise. Entry was managed through online and on-site reservations, with the first session of each day reserved for members of the official fan club, Exo-L. The group also partnered with QQ Music to host a series of pop-up events across 13 cities in China. Originally planned for eight locations, the events were expanded to five additional cities due to high demand. According to SM Entertainment, the month-long promotion attracted over 600,000 visitors. During the tour, members of Exo held autograph and photo sessions in major hubs, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. == Composition ==

Reverxe consists of nine tracks that span multiple genres, including the lead single "Crown", the winter-themed track "I'm Home", and the performance-oriented "Back It Up". The title track, "Crown", is characterized as a hard dance song that incorporates elements of Atlanta trap drumming, heavy metal guitar, and EDM synthesizers. The production utilizes siren sound effects and builds tension through the group's vocal delivery. Lyrically, "Crown" employs the titular object as a metaphor for a precious entity, focusing on themes of commitment and protection. "Back Pocket" is a mid-tempo R&B track featuring guitar riffs and a funky bassline. The lyrics describe an attraction and the desire to be near another person. "Touch & Go" is a pop song characterized by a minimal arrangement of arpeggio synths, vocal chops, and a drum loop. It compares the experience of falling in love to the falling of dominoes. "Flatline" is a mid-tempo pop-rock song that incorporates acoustic guitar and synth sounds. The lyrics utilize a maritime metaphor, comparing life to sailing and a partner to a navigational landmark. == Critical reception ==

Prior to its release, Forbes and NME listed Reverxe as one of the most anticipated albums of 2026. Following its release, NME Crystal Bell described Exo as "album-oriented artists" and noting that the record solidified their artistic identity while exploring "new possibilities". Robin Murray of British magazine Clash characterized the release as a "comeback blockbuster", highlighting both the musical content and the personal narratives shared by the members during the album's promotional showcase. == Commercial performance ==

Upon its release, Reverxe debuted at number one on the Hanteo Daily Album Chart, selling 265,934 copies and recording 362,921.22 points on the physical record index. By the end of its first week of availability (January 19–25), the album reached number one on the Hanteo Weekly Physical Album Chart with 907,976 copies sold, totaling 1.16 million points. The album's first-week sales were 41.89% lower than those of the group's 2023 album, Exist, which sold 1.56 million copies in its first week. First-day sales also saw a decrease from the 1,074,914 copies recorded by Exist. Media outlets noted that the lineup for Reverxe consisted of six members and did not include Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin (Exo-CBX), who were present for the Exist release. Internationally, Reverxe reached number one on the iTunes Top Albums chart in 48 regions, including the United States, Japan, and Brazil. In China, the album reached the top of the QQ Music digital album sales chart. It was certified triple platinum by the platform for exceeding three million yuan in sales revenue, after initially receiving a double platinum certification for surpassing two million yuan. In Japan, the album appeared at number one on the Recochoku daily album ranking and the AWA real-time rising chart. == Track listing ==

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. Studio • SM Big Shot Studio – recording , digital editing , additional digital editing , mixing • SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording , digital editing • SM Wavelet Studio – recording , digital editing • SM Aube Studio – recording , digital editing • SM Azure Studio – recording , digital editing • SM Dorii Studio – recording • SM Droplet Studio – recording, digital editing • Seoul Studio – recording • Doobdoob Studio – digital editing • SM Starlight Studio – digital editing , mixing • SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing • SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing • SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing • 821 Sound – mastering Personnel • SM Entertainment – executive producer • Exo – vocals • Suho – background vocals • Lay – background vocals • Chanyeol – background vocals • D.O. – background vocals • Sehun – background vocals • Kang Eun-jeong – lyrics • Yoon (153/Joombas) – lyrics • Adrian McKinnon – composition, background vocals • Ninos Hanna – composition • Fabian Zeke – composition • Kyle Buckley Pink Slip – producer, composition, arrangement • Don Mills – lyrics • Ned Houston – composition, background vocals • Chelsea Warner – composition, background vocals • Anne Judith Wik – composition, background vocals • Ronny Svendsen – producer, composition, arrangement, background vocals • Adrian Thesen Pizzapunk – producer, composition, arrangement • Leowi – producer, composition, arrangement • Magnus Lie Skistad – composition • Merili Käsper – composition • Mola (PNP) – lyrics • Cyrus Villanueva – composition • Charlotte Wilson – composition • Tim Tan – producer, composition, arrangement, bass, guitar, keyboard • Kim Wen-di (Jam Factory) – lyrics • Wyatt Sanders – composition • Kaitlyn Dorff – composition • Ian Jeffrey Thomas – producer, composition, arrangement • Mike Robbins – producer, composition, arrangement • Krass – composition • Kang Eun-yu – lyrics • Deepflow – lyrics • Hugo Andersson – composition • Jonathan Bellini – composition • Stuart Le Brander SB90 – producer, composition, arrangement, bass, guitar, keyboard, synthesizer • Jiggy (153/Joombas) – lyrics • Olivia Webb – composition • Barry Cohen Gingerbread – producer, composition, arrangement • Jang Yun-ji (Jam Factory) – lyrics • Amanda Cygnaeus – composition • Noak Hellsing – composition • Rasmus Budny – producer, composition, arrangement • Lee Hyung-seok – lyrics • Bang Hye-hyun – lyrics • Georgia Murray – composition • Alexandra Soumalias – composition • Daniel Michael Victor DMV (DMV & Ras) – producer, composition, arrangement • Rasmus Gregersen Ras (DMV & Ras) – producer, composition, arrangement • Choi Hee-joon (Phenomenotes) – additional directing • Hyunki – keyboard • Moon Jung-jae – strings recording directing • SM Classics Town Orchestra – strings • Kriz – vocal directing • Xydo – vocal directing, background vocals • Hyun – vocal directing , background vocals • Sam Carter – vocal directing • Emily Yeonseo Kim – vocal directing • PIT300 – background vocals • Oiaisle – background vocals • Joowon – background vocals • Kang Tae-woo Soulman – background vocals • Lee Min-kyu – recording , digital editing , additional digital editing , mixing • Noh Min-ji – recording , digital editing • Kang Eun-ji – recording , digital editing • Kim Hyo-joon – recording , digital editing • Kim Jae-yeon – recording , digital editing • Jeong Jae-won – recording • Kim Joo-hyun – recording, digital editing • Jeong Ki-hong – recording • Choi Da-in – recording • Lee Chan-mi – recording • Eugene Kwon – digital editing • Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editing , mixing • Nam Koong-jin – mixing • Kim Cheol-sun – mixing • Jung Eui-seok – mixing • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering == Charts ==

Weekly charts Monthly charts == Certifications ==