RIIZE premiered their first full album in a slightly novel way, unveiling a forty-two minute long mini-movie incorporating each of the ten tracks. This followed pre-release Bag Bad Back, a song that has grown on me immensely. But more importantly, it means that I’ve been able to soak in title track Fly Up for a few days prior to writing my thoughts. This is quite different than the immediate reviews I usually feature on the blog and gives time for initial reactions to subside. Fly Up has benefited from this extra space, as my impression has become more favorable with each passing day.
I often write about the “expectations game” when in comes to music. It’s only natural to want certain things from artists who have impressed you before, and following RIIZE’s incredible 2024 I would have loved another funk workout or house banger in the vein of previous triumphs. However, the group’s “emotional pop” concept is as nebulous as can be. They hop from genre to genre with each comeback and Fly Up is no different. This time, they’ve embraced a “drop everything and put on a show!” High School Musical-esque concept. I can’t say it’s what I wanted or expected from them, but its giddy, widescreen energy is actually very refreshing when stacked against most of their peers.
Fly Up‘s fizzy pop rush is backed by a chugging, old-fashioned rock and roll beat and anchored by a repeated throw-your-hands-in-the-air-and-sing! choral refrain that gives it the air of a musical. Rap-heavy verses make a slightly odd pairing to this sugary sound and the song could do with a few more killer melodies, but I’m pleased to hear a big K-pop act release something so unabashedly — and unashamedly — feel-good. This spirit is infectious and pulls me back for more listens in the way RIIZE’s best work always has. It all builds to a rousing finale, making the most of its ebullient energy.
*Given the nature of this visual album, my plan is to work through each song over the next week or so with an in-depth track-by-track review. Check back soon!
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This is it, thanks for serving us pure fun and adrenaline again riize❤️❤️❤️
8.5/10😍😊‼️
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This is it, thanks for serving us pure fun and adrenaline again riize❤️❤️❤️
8.5/10😍😊‼️
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why are they so happy 😭 it’s too much for my jaded soul lmao
why couldn’t they do something like an Impossible 😭😭😭 the high school musical-ness of it makes it sound so juvenile in my head
anyway, i’ll just listen to ember to solar
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Yep which is why as polished as GAG is, Boom Boom Bass was my 2024 track preference from them. It’s like their spectrum goes like: Fly Up (extra cheesy, 50s feel-good music)
Get a Guitar (slight hints of Disney in a funk lens)
Boom Boom Bass (a Real funk workout)
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I really enjoyed Boom Boom Bass too! Impossible remains my favourite Riize song though, so far. Talk Saxy is a close second, because I love the bridge so much! Even Lucky really grew on me with its infectious energy.
Fly Up is just 😭 I suppose I’ve never enjoyed this type of music so it makes sense why it doesn’t work for me.
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this is how I feel as well LOL. I LOVE High School Musical, I will defend all 3 movies with my being, but this is too perky for me 😭 the album is great though
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I cannot wait for the (over) week-long ODYSSEY extravaganza here! Dropping to say to readers that the album is a great listen. My immediate favorite is somehow the two songs with Love in the title. One for the 80s synths and the other for the unison chorus!
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Woo haa we have a memorable song in kpop, finally, after so many weeks months of a memorability drought.
Would it have been too corny to have called the song “Rise up!”. Because after a listen to two, instead of “something something something FLY UP!” I am singing to myself “something something something “RISE UP!”. Or do they plan to do that during the fan singalongs at concerts and such, an extended.
The songwriters also sneak in a couple slightly different turns (for example 0:46) to make it jussst a touch more interesting. The percussion at times sounds like the busker drummers at a subway station banging on the giant plastic tubs.
Anyway, yes, happy happy clappy clappy with a side of extra cheese, and cheese on a corny corn dog, and I am saying YES to that.
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“Anyway, yes, happy happy clappy clappy with a side of extra cheese, and cheese on a corny corn dog, and I am saying YES to that.”
100% agree. Love it. So so fun 🙂
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This is such a fun song, and I imagine it will be a great concert song. (8.5 to 8.75 for me)
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RIIZE continues to impress me with the sheer variety of their music. I know that some aren’t a fan of that but I think it’s a testament that in all of the comments and reviews of Odyssey I’ve seen so far, almost every song has been someone’s favorite because it clicked with them. Fly Up is fun and cheesy in all the ways that I love and as Nick mentioned, it’s unapologetically feel good.
I’m excited for the commentary on the rest of the album, it’s extremely strong and cements RIIZE as my favorite 5th gen group. They’re not even two full years yet and they’ve released so much music that I adore, and this makes me very excited to see them grow in the years down the line.
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RIIZE is one of the newer groups I like the most. The pre-release track is definitely a highlight for me, it allings more to my preferences and music style. The only reason I haven’t listened to it as much is because it hadn’t been released on streaming platforms until today lol.
This one… I got mixed feelings for. On one hand, I’m almost certain I’ll like anything RIIZE puts out just because it’s them. On the other hand, I really don’t love the Disney energy this has, it doesn’t grab my attention at first listen (more like it pulls me away). But I was definitely a High School Musical and Disney lover as a kid, so I’m almost sure this song will grow on me, despite it not matching my musical preferences now.
Also, where do you guys keep up to date with this news? I had no idea RIIZE was making a visual album. Are all the videos dropping on YouTube or do I have to visit any other website? Also, where can I watch the mini-movie with the ten tracks? Would really appreciate it if you guys could help me out.
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they dropped all the videos on their YouTube channel in 4k. the livestream had terrible 1080p quality. I believe they combined the entire 40-minute video with scenes from the newest season of their behind-the-scenes YouTube series RISE & REALIZE for this comeback.
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update: they’ve just released the entire 42-minute video in 4k on their channel!
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thanks, really appreciate it!!
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I’m still not fully into it, but it definitely grew on me after listening to the album.
My favorites are Odyssey, Bag Bad Back, Ember to Solar, Show Me Love, Inside My Love and Another Life. it’s too early to say but I’m already scared that their fans will pay Another Life dust. this past week I’ve barely seen people mentioning it as their favorite b-side.
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If it helps Another Life is defs my fave track off the album, would’ve made for a good single too
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I should be loving this song but there are a few things holding holding me back. I hope I don’t sound too negative because I’m really rooting for these guys.
1st: echoing someone else’s comment, “Why are they so happy?” I mean, this may be a very personal thing, but I perceive it as forced/fake. I’m pretty sure I would not think this way if the whole “Seunghan” situation never happened. I understand this is a “me problem” and I hope I can get over it soon, but right now, sadly, it affects the way I see everything they do.😓
2nd: similar to the pre-release which I felt had a strong NCT127 vibe, this one feels like an NCTDream song. I’m also pretty sure I would’ve loved it instantly🤷🏻♀️
3rd: While watching the MV (which I think elevates the listening experience), I kept wondering if they can sing this Live, and if so, will it stand alone without the performance? When they dropped “Impossible” I wasn’t invested in their live vocals because the performance stole the show, but this song’s style is a different story. 🧐
PS: probably a song like “Show Me Love” feels more authentic to their style. Or at least the style I would like to see from them.
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Do I prefer Ember to Solar? Yes (even more as I fell they incorporated some of the instrumental from Impossible. I hear the musical-esque influence. It’s a good time but not what I expected would’ve chosen to make the title track.
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Almost 9???
This is the blandest crap I’ve ever seen from an SM group.
Barely above a 6.
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What would you count as a non-bland SM song?
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The energy is undeniable, and as an enjoyer of HSM-era Disney music I can’t help but nod along to this, even if it’s not as catchy or melodic as I’d hoped. A great companion piece to Red Velvet’s Umpah Umpah, which is k-pop’s best example doing that kind of sound well.
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Thank you, Riize, for saving early 2025.
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Finally this one is more in line with their style and vibe, even if personally I’m not in the mood for this kind of song
8.25 for me (7,9,8,9)
Time to listen to the album
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The hook is the one that that killed it for me. Started getting annoying mid way through the song. Other than that I enjoyed it. Just not something I’m adding to my car playlist.
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OMG u like this shit? It sounds soo cheap HSM style. Are we still in 2007? The song didnt sound good at all. 5/10.
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I am going through the album now and this unabashed mixture of styles, layering of vocals and big feel good energy is absolutely what I want from K-pop, what a fantastic album, KUDOS TO THE TEAM. Between this and i-dle, we truly are getting the 2nd gen vibes back!
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The HSM references are valid lol. It’s no Combo(peak) or Boom Boom Bass but it’s better than the PR. I expected something more anthemic ngl. Not the tt I envisioned but it has good energy and is well done.
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