Review

Song Review: RIIZE – One Kiss

RIIZE - One KissWell, what a nice surprise! Not only have RIIZE released three new b-sides from their first mini album, but they’ve recorded behind-the-scenes music videos for two of them. In both sound and execution, One Kiss and 9 Days are definitely not title tracks, but I still think they each deserve a mini-review.

First up is One Kiss, which feels like a nod to classic boy band sounds. It’s one of the most melodic and sentimental tracks the group has recorded up to this point, taking advantage of their strong vocals. And at three and a half minutes in length, it has a satisfying sense of development.

Opening with synth strings that slowly build to a welcome crescendo, One Kiss is soon bounding along the gentle strum of its chorus. The melody here reminds me of something The Wind would release, which means it’s right within my wheelhouse. I love effusive melodies like this. They have an expansive warmth that radiates good vibes. Best of all, One Kiss peaks with a Sohee power note — a feature every RIIZE song should have, honestly. Nothing here is reinventing the wheel, but it’s such a joyful burst of pop that will have great legs throughout the summer.

Hooks 9
 Production 8
 Longevity 9
 Bias 9
 RATING 8.75

Grade: B+

15 thoughts on “Song Review: RIIZE – One Kiss

  1. I always eat up a classic boy group sound. Sohee is always THE highlight of their songs and SM is utilizing his voice so well.

    I am so confused with Center 5’s plan with this EP. an alleged June release, but the entire album is practically out? they better have at least two songs to add by the time they release it on physical.

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  2. This song is sooo pretty and has a lovely vibe, feels like we’re all being rewarded just for tagging along with them☺️. It’s a reward having this group at all honestly!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. meh? idk this song is good but like nothing crazy if anything id say 9 days is deserving of a score like this. The melody isnt quite captivating imo. Ill probably forget about this later in their career but this mini-ep or wtv it is lmao sounds very cohesive and nice!! love the synth usage in almost all the tracks

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  4. This is cute but after the upbeat Impossible I can’t help but feel like these two songs lack sticking power. All 3 are on the generic side but the former is at least a banger. Hope the tt is as good as i’m hoping.

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  5. This song just like what Backstreet Boys would release on that time, haha.

    I do like the song structure, but I always feel muted on the first and second chorus, like the note isn’t resolved yet, JEZZ! The ‘one kiss, one love-‘ with it’s instrumental stop right after ‘I just need you now’ do deceived me because the music built is continuous and I didn’t expect it to stop immediately… A solid 8.5 for this, but if the first and second chorus could keep the last chorus’s refrain I would rise it to a 9. Rise for Riize ❤

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  6. The song made me soo happy. It feels like a fansong a boygroup long into their career would release. It is not anything groundbreaking or super fresh but it is good at what it wants to do. As of now, I am looking forward to see RIIZE becoming another great SM boygroup.

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  7. I alwys feel like the line “i just need you now” in the chorus is supposed to have more of a descending vocal run at the end, which is about the only thing that bothers me with this release.

    I really love the sound they’re going for and also just love the entire ep so far (though it has a bitter aftertaste due to seunghan still floating in this limbo like state of whether he’s returning or not and as someone who really liked him it’s disappointing to see).

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I thought ‘Honestly’ was the best of the three b-sides tbh, I hope they at least promote it to some extent and don’t let it go to the Siren hellhole.

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  9. I honestly like RIIZE so much I think I’ll let them have this one, even if I don’t like this type of sound anymore. I can compliment the fact that the nostlagic vibe brings me back to me being a pre-teen and teen listening to EXO’s early discography.

    Sohee main vocalist, hands down too, what a voice!

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