Riize (SM Entertainment)
Riize (SM Entertainment)

Riize will release a new single, “Insomnia,” on Oct. 26, offering a more vocal-focused sound ahead of the group’s second LP.

The single will be released at midnight through major streaming platforms, with its music video premiering on SM Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

“Insomnia” marks Riize’s first attempt at acoustic pop and places greater emphasis on the six members’ vocals rather than the performance-heavy style often associated with the group.

According to SM Entertainment, the song centers on sleepless nights and lingering thoughts of someone that become more vivid as the night deepens, exploring those complicated emotions against a subdued, melancholic arrangement.

Veteran songwriter Kim Eana penned the track's lyrics. Her credits also include IU’s “Good Day” and “You & I,” Ive’s “I Am,” NCT member Doyoung’s “Memory” and BoyNextDoor’s “Ruin My Life.”

The release follows Riize’s second EP, led by “Do Your Dance,” released in June. The album marked the group’s fourth million-selling release.

“Insomnia” will also serve as the prerelease single for Riize’s next LP scheduled for release in spring 2027.

Rounding out the year, Riize is scheduled to perform at the two-day Melon Music Awards on Nov. 14, and is nominated in three categories at the Mnet Asian Music Awards: album of the year, best dance performance – male group and fans’ choice.

The upcoming LP will follow the group’s first LP, “Odyssey,” which was released in May 2025. At the time, the album sold more than 1.79 million copies in its first week, setting a career high for the group.

“Odyssey” also made Billboard’s list of “The 25 Best K-pop Albums of 2025,” while the closing track "Another Life” was named among UK music magazine Clash’s “15 Biggest K-pop Statements of 2025.”


lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com