"Talk Saxy" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band Riize. It was released on October 27, 2023, through SM Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment and RCA Records.[1] It was later included as the seventh track on the group's EPRiizing. "Talk Saxy" is last single released by the group with the participation of member Seunghan, who took a hiatus from the group shortly after the song's release, and departed the group in 2024.[2]
Background and release
South Korean boy band Riize made their debut on September 4, 2023 with the release of their single albumGet a Guitar. The album was commercially successful, selling over one million copies in the first week of its release.[3] One month later, SM Entertainment, in announcing their release lineup for the fourth quarter of 2023, indicated that the group would release a follow-up single at the end of October.[4] On October 23, SM officially announced that "Talk Saxy" would be released to digital download and streaming platforms on October 27.[3]
With "Talk Saxy," we were able to show a different charm than our previous song. It felt like an outfit that fits us well, as it is a song for a powerful performance.
— Riize member Wonbin on the song's meaning, Vanity Teen[5]
Lyrics for "Talk Saxy" were written by Brice Fox, Tony Ferrari, Jurek Reunamäki, with additional Korean lyrics written by songwriting team Danke. Fox, Ferrari, and Reunamäki also contributed to composition, along with Samuil, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, and Adrian McKinnon. Arrangement was completed by Fox and Benjamin 55.[6] Upon its announcement, SM Entertainment described the track as a dance-pop composition that features an "addictive" saxophone riff throughout, with "strong" 808-style drum machine beats.[7] Others have described the song as having an "old school" sound, with a "pulsing beat".[8] Lyrically, "Talk Saxy" revolves around one's attraction to a stranger and gaining their attention.[9] "Talk Saxy" was composed in the key of F minor, with a tempo of 89 beats per minute.[10]
Critical reception
"Talk Saxy" received a positive response from critics. Alessandra Rincon, writing for Ones to Watch, opined that the individual band member's talents "shine" on the "catchy" verses, and that their "engaging and smooth vocals are the perfect counterpoint to the omnipresent sax riffs".[11] For Billboard, Starr Bowenbank wrote that "Talk Saxy" was "gutsy" and "high-energy", and compared the song's saxophone riff to Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" and Fifth Harmony's "Worth It".[12]The Kraze's Cidney Atcherson wrote that the song was "so addicting" and "a banger".[13]
Music video
The music video for "Talk Saxy" was first teased two days before the song's release, with SM Entertainment sharing a 17-second clip on their official YouTube channel. Another 17-second teaser was released the following day.[14] The full video was released onto SM's YouTube channel simultaneously with the song on October 27.[15] Directed by Lafic, the video was shot in early October 2023.[16] The music video sees the group performing the song in various flashy studios, backed by large speakers, globe lights, neon floors and graffiti.[14] Wearing 1990s-style outfits such as baggy jeans and sports jerseys, the video has been described as paying homage to boy bands of the era such as Shinee, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and B2K.[11]
To further promote the song, the group also performed on Mnet's Performance37,[20] and MBC's It's Live.[21] The group also performed the song at several music awards ceremonies. At the 2023 MAMA Awards on November 29, the group performed "Talk Saxy" and "Siren".[22] For the group's performance at the 2023 Melon Music Awards, member Wonbin playing a guitar solo introduction before transitioning into a full group performance of "Get a Guitar" and "Talk Saxy".[23] At the 33rd Seoul Music Awards on January 2, 2024, the band again performed the song in a medley along with "Get a Guitar".[24]
The song was also included in the setlist of the group's 2024 Riizing Day concert tour.[25]
^Myung, Hee-sook. "뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예" [Espa, Red Velvet, Taeyeon, comeback in November... SM 4th quarter lineup announced] (in Korean). Xport News. Retrieved October 5, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abcKim, Hyun-hee (October 25, 2023). "라이즈, 'Talk Saxy' 퍼포먼스로 어나더급 성장 입증" [Rise Proves Another Level of Growth with 'Talk Saxy' Performance]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
^Park, So-young (November 8, 2023). "라이즈, 저스틴 비버 안무가 만났다..'토크 색시' 역대급 퍼포먼스 나오나" [Rise, Justin Bieber Choreographer Meets... Will 'Talk Sexy' Show Off the Best Performance Ever?]. 조선일보 (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2024 – via The Chosun Ilbo.
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (October 30, 2023). "라이즈 '토크 색시' 무대 눈길" [Rise's 'Talk Sexy' Stage Attracts Attention]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
^"라이즈, 美 애플뮤직·샤잠 '2024 주목해야 할 아티스트' 선정...K팝 가수 유일" [Rise, US Apple Music·Shazam selected as 'Artist to pay attention to in 2024'... The only K-pop singer]. >The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). January 9, 2024. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
^Sun, Mi-kyung (December 3, 2023). "라이즈, 연말 시상식 화제의 중심에 서다" [Rise, the center of attention at the year-end awards ceremony]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
^Young, Hana (December 3, 2023). "박남정·심신·윤상 2세 다 모였네...'MMA 2023' 참여한 시은·벨·앤톤" [Park Nam-jung, Sim Shin, and Yoon Sang II all gathered together... Sieun, Belle, and Anton participated in 'MMA 2023']. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
