[Edaily Reporter YUN GI BACK ] There are no flashy choreography or intense beats. Instead, the voices of the six members fill the void. The new song “Insomnia,” released by the group RIIZE on the 26th, is a track that allows listeners to rediscover the group’s vocal talents, which had previously been overshadowed by their performances. Not only does it showcase Sohee’s solid vocal prowess—she is often described as a “master singer”—but it also fully reveals the distinctive timbres and emotional expression of the other members. This confirms that the driving force behind RIIZE’s music lies not solely in their performances.

◇ The Presence of “Master Singer Sohee” and the Discovery of the Five Members
According to their agency, SM Entertainment, “Insomnia” marks RISE’s first foray into vocal-centric acoustic pop. Against a backdrop of lyrical guitar melodies, thoughts of a loved one and complex emotions that grow clearer as the night deepens unfold. Rather than relying on flashy sounds or dramatic developments, the song emphasizes the texture and harmony of the voices. Instead of showing off their vocal power, the members convey their emotions with restraint, and the poignancy of the song deepens as their distinct vocal tones blend together.
Sohee anchors the song. Her uniquely clear and powerful voice serves as the emotional backbone. Particularly in the calm opening, a delicacy distinct from her usual crisp high notes is evident. Rather than overwhelming the song with her vocal prowess, she calmly draws out its melancholic mood.
Wonbin’s presence is also striking. In the first verse, which follows Sohee’s intro, the beat kicks in and shifts the song’s atmosphere. Wonbin’s uniquely soft yet captivating tone draws the listener in. Anton also highlighted this section as one of the song’s most memorable moments.
Anton’s soft, low timbre adds a sense of stability to the track. Seong-chan and Eun-seok’s voices also offer a fresh perspective. Seong-chan’s understated delivery and Eun-seok’s calm tone blend naturally with the lyrical melody. Shota, who typically makes his presence known through powerful performances, focused this time on conveying emotion through his voice. In particular, Shota revealed that he meticulously refined his delivery, vocal tone, and even his rap parts through vocal training and lessons.
What’s interesting is that the group doesn’t stop at highlighting any one member’s skills. With Sohee anchoring the group and each member contributing their own unique timbre, the six voices converge into a single emotional whole. This is why the harmonies—which the members themselves have dubbed “killing parts”—shine so brightly. Each member’s individuality remains intact without compromising the overall harmony.

◇Sincerity Conveyed Through Unadorned Voices
This track showcases another dimension of the “Emotional Pop” style that RISE has been pursuing. While songs like “Get A Guitar” and “Boom Boom Bass” expressed the energy of youth through upbeat rhythms and dynamic performances, “Insomnia” reveals a more intimate and delicate emotional depth.
Above all, it’s refreshing to feel the sincerity in the song. They don’t exaggerate their emotions or mask them with flashy techniques. The way they seem to carefully deliver each line of the lyrics, and the moments when the six voices blend into one, leave a gentle, lingering impression. This is the result of focusing on what they’re conveying and how, rather than just how technically well they sing.
The members have also expressed a special affection for this track. Sohee shared her hope that it would become the song where RISE’s vocals shine the brightest and that it would come to represent the group’s sound. Seongchan revealed that during the recording process, he paid close attention to the resonance and intonation of every single word in the lyrics.
“Insomnia,” unveiled ahead of their second full-length album scheduled for release next spring, offers a glimpse into RISE’s potential for musical growth. Having already proven their skills through their performances, they have now demonstrated that they can create compelling music using only their voices. Starting with a reaffirmation of So-hee’s vocal prowess, the song also allows listeners to hear the voices of the other five members in a new light. This is the most welcome outcome of “Insomnia.”