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| Photo Cr. SM Entertainment |
RIIZE’s new single album "Fame" marks a pivotal turn in the group’s artistic journey, one where boldness, vulnerability, and self-awareness finally collide. Long known for crafting emotive, story-driven “emotional pop,” the members step further into that identity by refusing to gloss over the inner tension that has shaped their meteoric rise. Instead, they turn those struggles into fuel, confronting fear, insecurity, longing, and purpose head-on through sound.
Rather than constructing a glossy façade of idol perfection, "Fame" leans into the cracks. It’s a small but mighty project that finds RIIZE at their most introspective, most explosive, and perhaps their most authentic yet.
“Something’s in the Water” — A Still, Unsettling Beginning
The EP opens with the ethereal “Something’s in the Water,” a dreamy R&B-pop track that feels suspended between unease and calm. Built on a deep, pulsing bass and gentle, breath-like vocals, the song thrives on intentional quiet. Every pause feels like a held breath, echoing the weight of anxiety buried beneath RIIZE’s glowing public image.
Lyrically, it’s a quiet confession: even the darkness at the bottom of the abyss is still a part of who they are—and accepting it is the first step toward becoming someone stronger. It’s a meditative, cinematic opening that sets the emotional groundwork for everything that follows.
“Fame” — The Riot in Their Hearts
If the opener is a whisper, “Fame” is a full-body scream.
RIIZE’s angstiest track to date, “Fame” erupts with rage-style hip-hop energy, electric-guitar grit, and a pounding, almost breathless rhythm. The song pushes the group into bolder territory which is raw, abrasive, and cathartic. Their voices strain with emotion as they unravel a surprising truth: they don’t actually crave fame.
What they seek is love.
“Shout, loud, cry, tears, fear, pain but keep going,
All I did it for, my love, not fame.”
All I did it for, my love, not fame.”
The lyrics, written by BIGONE (who previously penned the fan-favorite “Bag Bad Back”), feel like an emotional evolution—older, wiser, and more painfully honest. The track’s accompanying music video amplifies that intensity, pulling viewers into RIIZE’s chaotic inner world and highlighting the tension between public expectation and personal desire.
“Sticky Like” — A Soft, Melodic Counterweight
Closing the EP is “Sticky Like,” a brighter nostalgic pop-rock track that offers warmth and yearning after the storm of “Fame.” It’s buoyed by dramatic drums, shimmering guitar lines, and a piano foundation that gives the melody a wistful glow. The track feels like a modern echo of early-2010s radio hits—comforting, melodic, and easy to get attached to.
“Sticky Like” tells the story of a love so pure and desperate that it becomes all-consuming. It’s the emotional heartbeat of the EP, grounding the chaos with sincerity. In many ways, it’s the most classically “RIIZE” track on the album—direct, sentimental, and irresistibly catchy.
Final Thoughts
With "Fame" RIIZE proves that growth isn’t just about refinement, it’s about honesty. Through three tracks, they trace a journey from quiet self-reflection, to raw emotional eruption, to nostalgic sincerity. It’s a tightly curated body of work that feels like a coming-of-age moment—one where the group isn’t afraid to show the mess behind the music.
RIIZE doesn’t run from their inner turmoil; they're transforming it into art. That being said, in doing so, "Fame" becomes more than a singles album. It becomes a statement.