RIIZE's 'Odyssey' showcases emotional pop, diverse genres, and their unshakable growth story

RIIZE has officially launched their next chapter with their highly anticipated first full-length album, Odyssey. Released on May 19 at 6 PM KST, the album marks their first comeback in 11 months since their debut mini album Get A Guitar and expands the group's self-defined genre of "emotional pop."

🎤 A showcase of growth, identity, and music diversity

The group held a media showcase at Blue Square in Seoul on May 19, where they introduced Odyssey, a 10-track album that blends R&B, hip-hop, dance, and ballad elements. Each track is packed with personal emotions the members experienced throughout their journey.

"Just this one album is enough to explain who RIIZE is," said Wonbin. Anton added, "Preparing for this album gave me courage to chase my dreams. Odyssey is the definition of RIIZE's identity."

🎶 10 tracks that reflect RIIZE's musical journey

Odyssey includes:

• Title track: Fly Up
• B-sides: Odyssey, Bag Bad Back, Ember to Solar, Show Me Love, Passage, Midnight Mirage, The End of the Day, Inside My Love, Another Life

The songs are arranged in a way that mirrors the group's storyline—external expressions of ambition in the earlier tracks, and introspective messages in the latter half. A standout is Passage, a 39-second orchestral interlude composed by Anton's father, legendary musician Yoon Sang. "It ties the whole album together and creates a cohesive listening experience," Anton explained.

🔥 RIIZE debuts title track 'Fly Up' live

The group performed Fly Up live for the first time, a high-energy dance track with rock 'n' roll vibes, choir harmonies, and a catchy rhythm. The members' magnetic voices layered with refined melodies elevated the performance.

Eunseok described it as "an upbeat track that makes you want to dance," while Wonbin confidently said, "As soon as I heard it, I knew—this was the one."

The choreography features powerful musical-style movements, including an iconic moment where the members open their arms as if preparing to take flight. Seunghan added, "Every member has their own killing point. It's a visual treat."

💌 Fan songs and emotional resonance

The album includes two fan-dedicated tracks—The End of the Day and Inside My Love. RIIZE challenged themselves with a sentimental ballad for the first time. "We wanted to express our gratitude through these songs," said Sohee. "It's a reminder that our fans, BRIIZE, have always been there from the beginning to the end."

🎯 No breaks, just growth

As RIIZE celebrates their upcoming 2nd debut anniversary, the group reflected on their evolution. "We've become more honest with our feelings. Our stage presence, talk segments, and skills have all improved," said the members.

They emphasized that their focus is on growth, not just results. "It was tough tackling so many genres, but we grew a lot through the process," Sohee shared. "We've become better versions of ourselves."

Anton concluded, "When people look back on 2025 at the end of the year, I hope the first thing that comes to mind is Odyssey."

RIIZE's Odyssey is now available on all major streaming platforms.

[Photo Credit: SM Entertainment]