Plus Magazine

| Written by Park soojin (Editor for the music webzine IZM)

RIIZE, who is gearing up for the release of their first mini album [RIZING] in June this year, has unveiled the prologue single 'Impossible.' Having showcased a variety of styles through captivating pop tracks like 'Memories,' which embodies the excitement of youth, and 'Get A Guitar,' which got the whole nation dancing, followed by 'Love 119,' brimming with the sentiments of the 2000s, the attention shifts to house music with this latest song. Originating from the underground club scene in 1980s Chicago and now firmly established as a mainstream genre, RIIZE captures a new essence through this genre.

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in house music. While pop star Beyonce fully utilizes house music in her 2022 album [RENAISSANCE], artists like ILLIT incorporate it prominently in their debut album [SUPER REAL ME], leaving a distinct mark on the music scene. Even Chungha, known for delivering sparkling pop tunes like 'Roller Coaster' and 'Already 12,' ventured into the realm of deep house with her recent single 'EENIE MEENIE (Feat. Hongjoong of ATEEZ).'
 

However, it's the SM Entertainment artists who truly embody the essence of house music with their smooth execution of the simple and repetitive 4/4 dance beats. Starting with f(x)'s masterpiece album [Pink Tape], released in 2013, where tracks like 'STEP' seamlessly integrate house elements, artists like SHINee with 'View' from [Odd], f(x) with '4 Walls,' Luna with 'Free Somebody,' BoA with 'ONE SHOT, TWO SHOT,' and Taemin with 'Drip Drop,' solidify SM's legacy in the house music genre.
 

However, RIIZE House sets itself apart from the trajectory of SM musicians thus far. While f(x) debuted with the single ‘LA chA TA’, crafted directly by hitmaker KENZIE, and SHINee showcased a somewhat consistent sound despite their experimental endeavors across various genres from their early careers, RIIZE House takes a different approach. They traverse through multiple fields such as retro (‘Love 119’), Funk ('Get A Guitar’), hip-hop (‘Siren’), constantly changing their musical colors. Though they tout their unique genre of "Emotional Pop," which encapsulates their diverse emotions in songs, there seems to be no limit within the realm of music genres for them.

With their unexpected focus on house music, RIIZE once again makes their mark on the world with their latest single 'Impossible.' Mesmerizing musically, hopeful in lyrics, and flawless in performance, the song, born from the pen of lyricist Hwang Yubin, who has penned lyrics for prominent artists like Tomorrow X Together, NCT 127, Taeyeon, and TVXQ!, carries a message that even though everything may seem impossible, as long as we pursue the same dream together, impossibility turns into possibility, and the concept of impossibility ceases to exist.
 

Especially noteworthy are the opening lines, "2 AM, 2 AM, even in the familiar dreams of the dark night," portraying the effort to reach one's dreams, and the chorus, "Got me flyin' in my dreams right now / Even if everything seems impossible, why / Can't lose," which is enough to resonate with listeners. RIIZE smoothly continues the empowering message heard from female idol groups like IVE and H1-KEY last year.
Another highlight of the song is its tight dance line. From the moment it begins, the performance of 'Impossible' is packed with energy, incorporating quick steps and occasional light kicks throughout the song, reminiscent of the powerful dance in the pre-debut performance video for the beloved single 'Siren.' Towards the end of the song, the rhythmic part evokes memories of Taemin's 'Move,' with its neutral yet captivating breaths.
 

Thus, as RIIZE reaches their second year since debut, their journey continues to be fresh and unpredictable. 'Impossible' proves this. Centered around house music with layered sounds, the single injects strength into its performance and message. In fact, the song has topped charts on major streaming platforms in Korea within its first week of release and reached the top spot on YouTube's trending music list. Good music always elicits a positive response. Before RIIZE's transformative journey, nothing seems impossible.
 

※ Manuscripts from outside writers may not reflect the editorial direction of this magazine.