Riize is SM Entertainment’s first new, non-NCT boy group since 2016. That’s a pretty big deal. They share connective tissue with the NCT universe, as members Shotaro and Sungchan were previously included in NCT projects. But overall, this feels like an important step forward for the agency.
In my mind, this important step will be most successful if Riize can quickly forge an identity and sound that’s all their own. SM artists tend to play within the same sonic sandbox, but after years of every NCT unit blending together it would be exciting to hear something completely out of left field. Pre-debut single Memories doesn’t fully commit to that brief, but it offers hints at where the group may go next.
My favorite aspect of Memories is its chorus. Its synth-heavy sing-along doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but sounds different from what we’ve come to expect from NCT. The propulsive percussion and pleasant, layered vocal performance add a brisk sense of movement that works well for the song. The melody is simple and effective, cresting with big-hearted optimism. Is this the “emotional pop” SM has been advertising? If so, Riize should really lean into the sound.
Sadly, the song’s verses don’t match this hook. Its bridge is pulled straight from the pots-and-pans-percussion school of production, while verse one might as well have been copied from an NCT b-side. The second verse is more interesting, offering stomping percussion that suits Memories‘ dramatic centerpiece. Ultimately, I expect the song’s strengths to smooth over its disappointments, but I can’t help but imagine how excellent this would have been if it had fully committed to the melodic heft of its chorus.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Sounds like discount Broken Melodies, but “discount(awesome thing)” is still pretty good, so I’ll take it.
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Most of Memories producers/composers are sane with Broken Melodies with Kenzie in Memories is the biggest difference
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it’s actually Hello Future 2.0, from the sing-talk, chant-y verses down to the great chorus. I like the song and the verses already grew on me, but I do agree that it would’ve been even better if it channeled more of the chorus’ energy. more FOREVER 1 and less Hello Future, at least in the verses.
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also peep the debut track preview at the very end of the music video. it sounds… groovy?
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Sounds like an NCT Dream leftover. Not a bad thing as it is a good song, but hardly a new sonic direction for a new group from SM.
It does sound like two halve shoved together, which kinds sorta but not really works until a few ticks in the chorus when one is smiling and happy and has forgotten about the verse already and the mismatch.
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I dunno about this. I was absolutely electrified by Siren, but this seems kind of muddled. Not enough dancing in the video. I will wait and see.
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I like it! The chorus reminds me of In Bloom.
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omg I thought it was just me! I’ve seen people name several boy groups that remind them of the song (understandable because of the verses) but I only really hear ZB1 pulling off the chorus LOL.
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Maybe its going to be the 5th gen trend 😂
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it SHOULD be! although I’m already on edge for ZB1’s comeback after the spoiler film. the glitch at the end is making me think they’re doing a complete 180° 😩 I’m praying that’s not the case because YOUTH IN THE SHADE’s spoiler film was very different from the album.
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I really like the chorus but the switch to hiphop in the verses is a little jarring. I like that it makes it interesting though but its not my favorite
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I like it, but this song describes my problems with most SM songs in a nutshell. It doesn’t even help that THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THIS MUCH EXPIREMENTATION.
8/10 for me
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