A New Era Begins: RIIZE Announces First Studio Album Odyssey
K-pop group RIIZE is preparing for a major milestone with the release of their first full-length studio album, Odyssey, scheduled to drop on May 19.
The album was officially announced on April 27, accompanied by a cinematic trailer that hinted at the project’s ambitious scope. The trailer, set against a backdrop of high-octane orchestral music, showcased striking visuals of the group sprinting across snowy landscapes, dancing among lightning strikes, and gazing at star-filled skies—a clear signal that Odyssey will be a multifaceted and emotionally rich release.
The album’s tracklist, revealed on April 28, includes ten songs:
- “Odyssey”
- “Bag Bad Back”
- “Ember to Solar”
- “Fly Up”
- “Show Me Love”
- “Passage”
- “Midnight Mirage”
- “The End of the Day”
- “Inside My Love”
- “Another Life”
Concept photos released in tandem highlight the group’s dual aesthetic—blending youthful curiosity with refined, mature styling.
From Grit to Glamour
The album’s second track, “Bag Bad Back,” was unveiled early, with a full music video release on May 1. The video begins in a raw, stripped-down dance studio, with the members dressed in relaxed hip-hop dancewear: baggy jeans, casual t-shirts, and tank tops.
As the second verse kicks in, they transition into sleek, tailored black suits, accessorized with hats, jewelry, and chains—visually mirroring the song’s evolution from struggle to empowerment.
Musically, the track blends emotional pop, trap, and hip-hop to deliver a message of growth and resilience. The lyrics speak to embracing one’s past and using those experiences as fuel for personal progress and success, seen in lines such as “Look at my movements, think I might just break my back / I stuff my bag full to the brim, know I gotta get that.”
Choreographically, “Bag Bad Back” embodies RIIZE’s signature style: a mix of freestyle-influenced hip-hop and fluid, expressive movements. The routine balances relaxed confidence with precise execution and includes easily accessible moves that invite fans to follow along.
The Odyssey Begins
With Odyssey, RIIZE is launching a fully realized artistic vision that bridges raw energy with skillful performers’ polish. The “Bag Bad Back” music video teases the group’s powerful storytelling, sound, and choreography that fans can expect from the album.
Each element of this rollout sets the tone for what promises to be a defining moment in their career, offering a chance to witness a group rising and realizing their potential in real-time.
Pre-save and listen to RIIZE’s first studio album, Odyssey, on May 19.
