Today marks a year since RIIZE’s debut, celebrated with special epilogue single Combo. Rather than making several distinct comebacks, the past twelve months have seen the group gradually build their debut mini album. Their music may not have a distinct genre focus, but they’ve managed to traverse a variety of sounds with panache. It’s hard to imagine a more successful debut year, at least when it comes to the music.
Combo was first teased months ago in an album trailer. The song pushes against K-pop’s usual musical grain, opting for a grungy 90’s alt-rock sound. Other boy groups have successfully harnessed this genre before, though few have delved so deeply into the angst-ridden performance style found here. I doubt whether Combo will have the same cross-audience appeal as tracks like Love 119 or Boom Boom Bass, but its specificity is appreciated.
Even more appreciated is Combo‘s focus on vocal melody. We get to hear RIIZE as we never have before — at times confrontational and clearly out of their comfort zone. Sohee continues to prove his worth as a fifth gen vocal superstar, but every member leaves an impression. I wish the production went even bigger and bolder, matching the guys’ energy during Combo‘s go-for-broke chorus. Crunchier guitar and more bombastic percussion could have sent this over the edge, but as far as anniversary singles go Combo is unexpected and exciting.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
oh the five month wait was worth it, Sohee absolutely shines. on the other hand, Wonbin sounds a little grating here.
LikeLiked by 3 people
yeah, you’re right. Like i love RIIZE(Boom Boom Bass is amazing!) but the strained vocals are just too much for me. Sohee really did shine here!
I’ll give it a 7.75/10. (one of their weakest releases so far!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
As an early obsessor for this song’s instrumental, I can’t say I’m blown away by the song (perhaps I had too high expectations). I found the lyrics kinda of hilarious in the context of it being a quasi anniversary song. I get the alt rock angst, but it’s just not for me. I rate it an 8
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “I am such a loser, she is a weirdo” sent me straight to the 2000s but positive. Like, Sk8ter Boi’s “He was a punk, she did ballet”, Anna Tsuchiya’s “Grooving Beatin'” with “he listens to the Beatles, I like the Rolling Stones” 😂 I don’t know, they make me nostalgic 😂
LikeLike
First I loved the instrumental on their website, then I expected it to be a song released back in june, then I waited more, and then months later when I forgot about both the song and Riize together they release it. I guess that was the tactics all along. It would’ve worked had I been impressed by the song, but I like the instrumental better on it’s own somehow…
LikeLike
One must wonder this wasn’t selected as the tt instead of Boom Boom Bass….what a fumble. Still a standout for them tho.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do kinda understand that this sound isn’t as gp friendly as Boom Boom Bass, but yeah I personally also like Combo better than BBB
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad this didn’t disappoint me. I agree ab the percussion+guitar getting bigger in the chorus for more of a punch. Add more adlibs to the chorus and it would’ve been perfect for me. Other than those things, a banger me thinks.
LikeLike
I really enjoy these boys so much, they are a breath of fresh air!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really do agree that they have one of the strongest debut years in terms of consistency. Love 119, Boom Boom Bass, One Kiss, and Get a Guitar play constantly in my playlists and I know Combo won’t be any different. I love the rawness of the vocals. So excited to see what RIIZE has for their next year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how for their one year anniversary there is no seunghan
anyway the song is a 8.5/10 for me (7, 9, 9, 9)
LikeLike
this might be a huge reach but i think sohee could very well be the male equivalent of yuju (at least in the space in nicks mind that they occupy) i mean think abt it:
again i miiiiight be reaching but idk feel free to leave thoughts
LikeLike
Sohee is a fantastic vocalist, but NCT Wish’s Jaehee is there too, ZB1’s Taerae as well. Jaehee is probably the best out of all three, just take a look at some stuff he sung. I would hesitate to say Sohee is tied to Lily because she sometimes blows my mind with her singing to the point I don’t think anyone in 4th and 5th gen can compete, just see her cover of psycho..
LikeLike
Although I think she is a worse vocalist technically than Lily, BM’s Rami is her biggest competition for me, because she has such flair at such a young age. She wins me over with style every time, she is just so confident and gives her lines such flavour. Which is what I miss from Lily sometimes, she never misses, but sometimes a well-placed miss is a blessing emotion-wise 🤣
LikeLike
I see where you’re coming from😅
LikeLike
EVNNE’s Seungeon is the best out of everyone else. he’s the SM vocalist that could’ve been.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m still waiting for Jungmin to debut, I need that 2nd gen flair in my life!
LikeLike
Is he also from a survival show or? I don’t really watch those so I only find out when they debut
LikeLike
I didn’t watch NCT Lastart when it aired (I don’t really care for survival shows). Then by chance, a few months later, I watched the Lucifer performance (as the Shawol that I am), and I absolutely loved his voice. I knew he wasn’t it the group, but I was curious to see how else he sounded during other performance stages. WISH had released Songbird so I was in the headspace to watch the show.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh I see, so that means he’ll probably debut next year or so, I saw Shohei debuted with the trot group after he was on a hiatus also becuase of health reasons
LikeLike
he was selected to be part of NCT WISH but left pre-debut due to health issues. he’s still under SM though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’ll all depend on the material they give him, honestly. Yuju benefitted from GFriend’s initial songs being structured in a way that led to big climactic power notes. Apart from Love 119, RIIZE’s music has still been pretty understated so far. I’d love them to tackle some of the big vocal moments that were a staple in SHINee’s early-2010’s work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, for boy band fare, its fine. If OneDirection or BSB or Nsync were debuting today, they might have a song like this. But that is the problem for me – that they sound like any boy band ever but make it 2024. And not kpop or SM. I don’t listen to kpop to listen to stuff I can hear anywhere, at any Target on any radio station.
But its fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is pushing upwards to a 9 for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Def a 9 for me. 9.5 on a really good day
LikeLike
I feel like this could do well with European millennials lol. I’m pretty sure I still have cassettes with this sound. (This is a compliment!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my goodness, the One Direction nostalgia this gave me is unreal.
I like this, though sometimes the highpitched yell- singing could be toned down just a little. Yes, bring the emotion, but with a little more shout and a little less screech.
LikeLike
I guess this reminds me more of 5SOS than 1D now that I listened again.
LikeLike