RIIZE's 'Fly Up' Takes Flight: How the 1950s Rock & Roll Inspired Track is Winning Hearts

RIIZE Makes a Bold Return with Their First Full Album 'ODYSSEY'

On May 19, 2025, RIIZE, one of K-pop's most promising 5th generation groups, made their highly anticipated comeback with their first full-length album 'ODYSSEY' and its title track 'Fly Up.' The release marks a significant milestone in the group's career, coming nearly two years after their debut. The album, consisting of 10 tracks, firmly establishes RIIZE's identity in their self-defined 'emotional pop' genre, showcasing their versatility and growth as artists.

The group held a showcase at Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where they performed their new songs live for the first time. The event was hosted by Super Junior's Leeteuk, adding a special touch with senior support from their agency. During the showcase, member Wonbin expressed his confidence in the album, stating that if someone asks what kind of team RIIZE is, this album would provide the complete answer.

'Fly Up' - A Retro-Inspired Musical Journey

The title track 'Fly Up' stands out as an energetic dance song that draws inspiration from 1950s rock and roll. With its bouncy rhythms and scale choir harmonization, the song creates an instantly uplifting atmosphere that's hard to resist. When first hearing the track, member Wonbin knew immediately it was the perfect choice, saying, 'When I first heard the song, I thought, 'This is it.''

Composed by Stian Nyhammer Olsen, Julia Bognar Finnseter, Jop Pangemanan, and Jacob Aaron, with lyrics by Hwang Yubin (XYXX) and Deepflow, 'Fly Up' tells the story of the six members gradually coming together and breaking boundaries through music and dance. The song emphasizes overcoming prejudices about differences and connecting with people from all walks of life - a message that resonates with RIIZE's journey as a group that debuted in 2023 and has been steadily building their fanbase globally.

The Visual Spectacle: 'Fly Up' Music Video and Performance

The music video for 'Fly Up,' released on May 19th at 6 PM KST, has already garnered over 14 million views as of May 22nd. The video presents a 'Youth Musical'-like performance that perfectly complements the song's energetic and positive vibe. The members appear in school uniforms, adding to the youthful concept of the track.

What makes this comeback unique is RIIZE's approach to releasing their album. Prior to the official release, they unveiled a 42-minute mini-movie incorporating all ten tracks from the album through their Weverse community on May 14th. This innovative approach allowed fans to experience the full album in a visual format before its official release on streaming platforms.

The choreography for 'Fly Up' has also been receiving significant attention. On May 21st, the group released a 'Move to Performance' video showcasing their dynamic dance routine. The performance features bouncy movements and expressive facial expressions that enhance the song's cheerful energy. At the 2:35 mark, there's a particularly impressive sequence where the members create an illusion of flying, perfectly embodying the song's title and theme.

'ODYSSEY' - A Complete Musical Journey

Beyond the title track, 'ODYSSEY' offers a diverse range of songs that highlight RIIZE's versatility. The album includes the pre-release track 'Bag Bad Back,' a hip-hop song that shows the mindset of facing a new chapter, and 'Ember to Solar,' an intense dance track containing the team's determination to overcome adversity.

The album features an emotional turning point with 'Passage,' a track produced by music producer Yoon Sang, which uses tremolo orchestration to create tension throughout. Other notable tracks include the fairytale-like 'Midnight Mirage,' the lyrical ballad 'The End of Every Day,' and the retro-sentimental pop ballad 'Inside My Love.'

The album concludes with 'Another Life,' which encapsulates RIIZE's aspirations and resolutions for the future. This thoughtful sequencing of tracks creates a cohesive narrative that takes listeners through various emotions and musical styles, showcasing the group's range and depth.

Critical Reception and Fan Reactions

Since its release, 'Fly Up' has been receiving mixed but predominantly positive reactions from critics and fans alike. Music blog 'The Bias List' gave the song an impressive rating of 8.75 out of 10, praising its 'fizzy pop rush' and 'old-fashioned rock and roll beat.' The review highlights how the song's 'giddy, widescreen energy is actually very refreshing when stacked against most of their peers' and appreciates RIIZE for releasing something 'so unabashedly — and unashamedly — feel-good.'

Fan reactions across various platforms have been enthusiastic, with many appreciating the group's ability to try different concepts with each comeback. Comments on YouTube and music blogs show fans giving the song ratings around 8.5/10, with many praising its 'pure fun and adrenaline.' One fan commented, 'This is it, thanks for serving us pure fun and adrenaline again RIIZE.'

However, some fans have expressed that the song's 'High School Musical'-esque concept and cheerful energy might be too much for their taste, with one commenting, 'why are they so happy? it's too much for my jaded soul.' Others mentioned they prefer RIIZE's previous releases like 'Ember to Solar' or 'Impossible.' This diversity in fan reactions highlights RIIZE's broad appeal across different musical preferences.

RIIZE's Growth and Future Prospects

With 'ODYSSEY,' RIIZE continues to demonstrate their remarkable growth since their debut. The album showcases not only their musical versatility but also their ability to connect with audiences through meaningful lyrics and energetic performances. As member Wonbin mentioned during the showcase, 'I think the strengths of the members that haven't been shown before have been highlighted well with this album.'

The group's approach to consistently trying new sounds while maintaining their 'emotional pop' identity has helped them carve out a unique space in the competitive K-pop industry. Their willingness to experiment with different genres - from funk workouts to house bangers and now 1950s rock and roll - demonstrates their artistic ambition and versatility.

As RIIZE continues to evolve and grow, 'Fly Up' serves as a testament to their potential and the bright future that lies ahead for them. With their first full album now released, fans are eagerly anticipating what new heights the group will reach next in their musical odyssey.

Cultural Context: The Revival of Retro Sounds in K-pop

RIIZE's 'Fly Up' comes at a time when retro-inspired sounds are experiencing a resurgence in K-pop. The 1950s rock and roll influence in the track represents a deeper dive into music history than the more common 80s and 90s revivals that have dominated the industry in recent years.

This approach aligns with SM Entertainment's history of experimenting with various musical eras and styles across their artist roster. For international fans, it's worth noting that this retro sound might feel particularly novel in the K-pop landscape, where cutting-edge production and futuristic concepts often take center stage.

The song's unabashed cheerfulness and theatrical quality also connect to a broader trend in K-pop of creating immersive, concept-driven experiences rather than just songs. The accompanying mini-movie format for the album release further emphasizes this approach, giving fans a complete audiovisual experience that tells a cohesive story across all ten tracks.

As RIIZE continues to establish themselves in the industry, 'Fly Up' represents not just a new song but a statement about their artistic direction and willingness to embrace diverse influences while maintaining their unique identity in the competitive world of K-pop.