Britpop Edges, Retro Synths, and a Band Beginning To Find Its Own Sound

Since forming in 2024, XO have been steadily building their profile. A run of standout appearances throughout 2026 has helped grow their fanbase, following the release of their debut album, Fashionably Late. Now, the five-piece return with new mini album Need To Know, turning their attention to the messy realities of growing up and finding your feet.

Inspired by an advice column offering guidance on life in your twenties, XO’s Emmy, Reanna, Shali, Summer, and Zoe explore the messy realities of growing up on Need To Know. Relationships, female friendship, and the struggle to figure out who you are all feed into the mini-album, giving its mix of musical styles a common thread.

First up, ‘Hotline’ comes armed with pounding drums, punchy vocals and an attitude that leaves little room for second thoughts. “Ring on the hot girl hotline, yeah, tell your ex bye bye” lays out the message in no uncertain terms: the past is the past, and there’s no point looking back. It’s a confident opener that wastes little time getting to the point.

‘Clique’ makes a strong case for being the album’s standout. Its slick pop sound carries a definite Britpop edge, while its celebration of sisterhood and friendship gives it something to say beyond the hook. XO sound right at home here, balancing sharp pop instincts with a message of sticking together. It’s a highlight that brings both melody and meaning to the table.

On ‘Stacey’, XO reach for ’80s synths while channelling the spirit of Baby D’s ’90s dance classic ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’. The retro dance-pop production provides an upbeat backdrop to a song about jealousy, adding a sharper edge to its glossy exterior. It’s a change of pace that shows another side of the band’s pop sensibilities.

Hip-hop rhythms bring a different flavour to ‘Human Nature’, where rich production and vocals make for one of the mini-album’s more seductive moments. Lyrically, however, things are less straightforward, as the song explores the temptation of a relationship you know isn’t good for you. “Baby, you’re just bad for me, if I’m being honest” gets to the heart of that conflict. Sometimes, knowing better doesn’t mean doing better.

After the romantic complications of ‘Human Nature’, ‘No Sour’ shifts the mood towards a night out with the girls. Its carefree attitude fits neatly with the mini album’s themes of friendship and knowing your own worth. XO lean into the fun, capturing that feeling of putting the drama aside and enjoying the moment.

That carefree mood gives way to something more bittersweet on ‘Tell Me How It Feels’. “Tattoos all over your body, does she know I drew them for you?” brings the ghosts of a past relationship into focus, hinting at a history that’s not so easily forgotten. The song builds towards its killer chorus — “Tell me how it feels when you hear my name” — turning old memories into a pointed reminder of what’s been lost. For all its regret, the rhythm keeps things moving, creating an appealing contrast between the sting of the lyrics and the urge to lose yourself in the music.

‘Paper’ brings Need To Know to a fitting close. A steady drumbeat keeps the song ticking along as the vocals soar and echo, giving the arrangement an almost weightless quality. The lyric “Signed viewing for later” adds an intriguing final touch as the track builds towards its closing moments. A real sense of release carries the song through to the finish, leaving XO on a high and rounding off the mini album on an uplifting note.

Need To Know finds XO exploring the messy realities of growing up through a mix of pop hooks, retro synths, and Britpop edges. While their sound is still taking shape, the five-piece are beginning to carve out an identity of their own. XO don’t take steps, they take leaps — and Need To Know proves they’re heading in the right direction.

Release Date October 16, 2026

Polydor Records / Universal Music Group