Riize’s Get A Guitar has proven to be a huge sleeper hit for me, alongside their very solid pre-debut track Memories. This one-two punch shot anticipation sky high for their follow-up, so when I saw the silly punnery of “Talk Saxy” coupled with the tease of an irritating Jason Derulo style sax loop, I couldn’t help but worry how SM Entertainment planned on charting Riize’s musical path. Though gimmicks are used often in pop music, they’re rarely an ingredient of enduring success.
I could easily divide Talk Saxy into parts I enjoy and parts I dislike. We’ll start with the bad, because the screechy loop that opens the track is way too prevalent throughout. Brass can be a great asset in K-pop, but I’ve never found this strangled sound pleasant. Even worse, it goes on to join forces with an equally grating “rum pum pum” vocal hook. Can we just ban “rum pum pums” from K-pop? The phrase has already been mastered. There’s no need to wear it into the ground!
Talk Saxy is at its best when following a groovier r&b template. Immediately after its “rum pum pum” lowlight, the guys deliver a series of engaging vocals. That sax is omnipresent underneath but their smooth deliver offers a welcome counterpoint. I also enjoy the snap of the percussion. Talk Saxy isn’t nearly as upbeat as their past tracks, but its steady rhythm feels confident. Ironically (given its title), the song’s most effective instrumental flourish is guitar. That funk element, paired with some standout vocals during the climax, salvages the song. However, this is a definite downgrade compared to their debut.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
First listen, I kind of love this. Nice blend between smoothness and irritainment. First look, I’m blown away by their dancing power, both in unison and personality. I think this will be a grower, although Get a Guitar was close to pop perfection.
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Another easy pass
I can’t believe this is a lead single from SM. Have they finally exhausted all the NCT-style sounds, and turned to … this?
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Even though SM promised RIIZE wouldn’t sound anything like NCT?
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i actually really liked this??? didnt expect that i would like this song which tries to squeeze as many boy group tropes as possible into itself, but theres something so tongue-in-cheek about its execution. as though the song is self-aware that its kinda cringe which is part of its charm. also the bridge gave me an eargasm PHEW…
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I’m really getting that vibe from the music in general! Some of it is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but I think that it’s kind of funny and lighthearted.
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Oh you put my thoughts perfectly into words! I had high hopes because of the teaser which I liked even though I found the saxophone annoying as well. But overall the song’s very meh, even after the 5th time I listened to it
the bridge which everyone praises didn’t impress me either, there was too much going on which I usually really don’t mind (e.g. I enjoy SM’s “noise music”). Maybe the song will grow on me after all but I definitely prefer their debut and pre-debut. I still love Riize as a group so I’ll be looking forward to what they’ll do next.
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Just realized, with “bridge” I was referring to the post-bridge 😖 the bridge itself was okay, my bad.
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I actually enjoyed this just based on the first listen, compared to Memories and Get A Guitar. that “ra pa pa pa” shouldn’t work, but it just scratches an itch in my brain. a high 8 for me honestly, if not for the lack of harmonies throughout the track, but especially in the bridge because it sounds so bare.
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I’m losing my shit with the way choruses have downgraded over the past decade
8/10 for me
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I kinda enjoyed the song, despite the “rum pum pum” part?! I would prefer their debut single album to this song but the song’s not as bad as I thought.
With that said, I love the bridge so much.
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This is genuinely awful, that chorus makes me want to be deaf. I gotta give it like a 3/10 for the horrendous sax.
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They need to ditch the saxophone and stick to the guitar.
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There’s no way I will ever get around that noise.
Now, usually when I feel this way, the song becomes a massive hit, so what do I know?🤷🏻♀️
Examples: NCT’s “Sticker”, Seventeen’s “Hot” and Le Sserafim’s “Anti Fragile”. What do they have in common?…nice songs with a jarring sound my ears cannot take, no matter how hard I try.
There are other noises I can handle, like the ones in Taeyong’s “Shalala”, Dream’s “Hello Future” (barely), NCT127’s “Lemonade”, and even NCT NewTeam’s “Hands Up”.
I had no idea a saxophone could sound that horrible. Sorry, but to me it ruins an otherwise good song!! 6/10
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I actually kinda like this!!! The ra pa pa pum when you call my name is sooo catchy!
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oops my name should be *Rum pum pum pum
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Rum Pum Pum Pum, you need to check out this review! It’ll be right up your alley 🙂
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(omg Nick replied to me)
Great review, very well-written, except that I really love the sax in the chorus!
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I wonder how many NCT demo leftovers SM has yet to give away, because it’s getting actually grotesque to see *everyone who enters their headquarter* play this kind of nothing whatever the previous concept.
Black Machine’s How Gee in the 90s was definitely saxier (and sexier), but even Space in NCT 127 last album, just to mention where it all begins and ends.
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When I heard the saxophone and the cool setting in their teaser, I was expecting the same level of quality as BTS’s Dope which is also saxophone focused with dope choreography. Their three pre-debut songs are all bangers and well-received with viral dance covers, so I was shocked to hear such a forgettable b-side quality song. The chorus itself so cringe with that “rum pa pa pa talk saxy” and the song doesn’t have an addictive hook and feel all over the place. It is like SM is trying to milk as much money as they can and increase their change of getting rookie awards before year end by rushing their debut.
People were calling them the male version of New Jeans but I guess SM has effectively killed all the hype that they have built up pre-debut.
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I see SM found the sequel for Amber’s Shake That Brass on the cutting room floor. Kind of unrelated, but does anyone else have an issue with their teeth hurting when they hear brass section instruments? It’s like styrofoam squeaking for me lol.
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Didn’t like it as close to what I thought I would. I’ll give this a 7 or something.
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I liked the instrumental. The vocals some of these boys have is pretty good too, but the delivery of it was actually unexpectedly monotonous to me. I did not like the delivery at all. Then the typical “Rum pum pum” is just not it either.
Overall, a 7 for me. I actually expected more from them & that’s why I’m rather unimpressed. Maybe after more listens I could give it a 7.5 or something.
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I LOVED THIS CB the rum pum pum could be better but i found it a nuce contrast to that melodical talk saxy that followed. 8.5/10
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*nice contrast
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Don’t know why or how but each time I hear it I’m liking it so much more…..straight 8.75 for me.
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So much of this is actually gorgeous in my opinion. The chorus is my least favorite part but I’ll forgive it because the rest is so enchanting.
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