I have this odd trend of under-rated RIIZE’s title tracks when they’re released, only to end up loving them in a few week’s time. This was especially true with January’s Love 119 — a 2024 highlight whose chanted chorus put me off big-time when it first came out. New single Impossible will not have the same problem. Its sleek house/club sound is right within my wheelhouse and fits the group like a glove.
Back in 2015-16, SM Entertainment enlisted producers LDN Noise to usher in a new house-influenced sound for the agency. This kicked off with SHINee’s View — still the high-water mark for the genre. RIIZE’s Impossible can’t quite fill those shoes, but it’s of the same lineage. This time around, the production adds extra groove in the form of syncopated percussion and addictive rhythm guitar. It’s a crisp, exciting sound that’s perfect for the coming summer, and the producers clearly know they have a good thing. Rather than fiddle with needless tempo changes, Impossible coasts along its energy for a tight three minutes. And when extra elements are added, they’re in the form of a pumping dance break and crystalline synths that close out the track.
Heavy on effects, RIIZE’s vocal accentuates the dancefloor drive rather than fight to be center stage. I love the wispy texture of this arrangement. It’s tone-setting rather than monotonous — a description that also fits the song as a whole. More than anything, Impossible‘s buoyant energy and unflagging tempo simply make you feel good. That sense of pop euphoria isn’t always easy to achieve, and songs like this tend to age extremely well. It’s a great turn for one of the industry’s most exciting rookies, and I hope this sound absolutely rules the summer season.
Hooks | 9 |
Production | 9 |
Longevity | 9 |
Bias | 9 |
RATING | 9 |
Grade: A-
Well thank heavens we finally have a song that starts at a pace and Keeps it up! Also fun, it looks like the guys actually like the song they are given. That is all I ask. Is it the best example of house, no. But it is here right now, and it makes me bop around in my desk chair.
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Haven’t heard a song with this much energy in a while. Everything about it feels relentless and breathless in the best way possible!
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First kpop song I’ve watched their MV without getting bored after the first chorus.
Also first kpop song I’ll listen to and immediately start listening on repeat again on Spotify, that’s saying a lot.
Hopefully the TT is also cohesive like this, I’ll give this a strong 9 too.
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I’m so down for the revitalization of house music in k-pop! I really hope we get to see more groups (and soloists) tackling this sound for this summer.
And man, RIIZE really built up a stellar discography imo even though they’re seven months in now.
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Jesus the production is impeccable 😩 it’s refreshing to see only 5 people involved in the credits. right now it’s probably my favorite song of theirs. you just can’t go wrong with a dance beat.
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This is sooooo good. I loved RIIZE since their pre-debut and finally having a super solid track from them feels amazing.
10 out of 10 for real
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I am in awe and love with the dance break. I just want to get a very loud speak and blast this song!
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Me too! In 75-80 degree weather, preferably!
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I looooove this. I loooooooooooove this!
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We are so backkkkkkkk !!!!
(I am extremely sad and dissapointed about everything related to Seunghan, but when talking about the music itself, who else is doing it like them?)
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My jaw dropped.
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I love this! For whatever reason this is the sort of song I think of when I think spring music. Those synths have the same soothing white noise effect that spring rain does for me, I think. It’s a sound I’ve always been really partial to.
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Long time reader, first time posting a comment ☺️ but I just had to because this song blew my mind. I’m amazed by the song and the MV
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Welcome! You picked a good song for your first comment 🙂
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I know, right? I just couldn’t contain my enthusiasm 😉
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I like it but It’s missing something!!! Maybe a little switch up somewhere to keep me interested. I’ve listened to it a couple of times and I can’t even remember what it sounds like. Also, while watching the MV and performance, my attention kept shifting to the choreo to the point where I stopped listening to the actual song. 8.5/10
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It’s the unmemorable chorus melody for me. If only it has memorable chorus like SHINee’s View & f(x)’s 4 Walls, it’s an easy 10 for me
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Honestly, I’ve been so bored this past year or two with K-pop, that I worried my love affair with it might be over. Only NewJeans has kept me interested (but even with them, their soundtrack tunes and recent Japanese advert has me worried that’s about to end too). But then, out of nowhere, this tune comes out, and I’m genuinely excited again. This isn’t a 9; it’s a 10!
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I know everyone’s comparing it to SHINee, but when I hear it, I immediately think of Sexy Zone (ex. Desideria) and, in the vocals, Daichi Miura (ex. Be Myself). That is, it’s almost J-pop-ish…
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tbh, I wasnt the biggest fan of Love 911 and also the whole Seunghan thing really put me off RIIZE and I have not been paying much attention to them since November.
But my god this song. When I heard the ‘give me that beat’ bit on their crazy insta jump posts I knew this one would be a jam. No chanting or rapping, just crisp vocals and straighforward house heaven.
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I may be biased because I love house music any day, any time but this is so good and the dance break part just made me so happy. SM is keeping up with their strong list of boy groups with RIIZE for sure.
And yeah, even the MV reminded me of Shinee’s View.
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I love it and THAT DANCING. And who let Sungchan
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Who let Sungchan on the stage😂
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I cannot with him.
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A solid summer dance track. I prefer Love 119 but this is super cute. The dance break was the highlight sonically. Now gimme that beat!
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I like it, although it won’t be my fav release from them this year. The song sounds great for what it is, but it’s not exactly what I wished to hear from this type of music unfortunately. Luckily the title track is only yet to come
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Honestly, quite enjoy this pop-house endeavor.
I guess Lisbon/Portugal is trending with kpop directors. Maybe it’s more cost efficient than other popular european cities.
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Let’s fng go bros.
April has finally started delivering some bangers.
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I usually never comment, but I had to this time because wow. This song is insane. I’ve been replaying Impossible over and over ever since it came out and I’m not tired of listening to it. The dance break is just so good. A solid 10/10 for me
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I really hope Seunghan comes back soon because they’ve got until June to re-record “Riizing” so that Seunghan is part of all the songs.
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SM’s House dance track is always on next level and seriously no one could even beat SM house music production!
A straight 9.5/10 for the overall performance, music, visual, MV, choreography.
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