Talk Saxy

South Korean boy band Riize made their debut on September 4, 2023 with the release of their single album Get a Guitar. The album was commercially successful, selling over one million copies in the first week of its release.{{cite web|title=Riize to drop new single 'Talk Saxy' on Friday|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-10-23/entertainment/kpop/Riize-to-drop-new-single-Talk-Sexy-on-Friday/1896100|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Cho|first=Yong-jun|date=October 23, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024130308/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-10-23/entertainment/kpop/Riize-to-drop-new-single-Talk-Sexy-on-Friday/1896100|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|title=뉴스 : 네이버 TV연예|trans-title=Espa, Red Velvet, Taeyeon, comeback in November... SM 4th quarter lineup announced|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/311/0001649122|via=Naver|publisher=Xport News|language=ko|last=Myung|first=Hee-sook|access-date=October 5, 2024}} On October 23, SM officially announced that "Talk Saxy" would be released to digital download and streaming platforms on October 27.

{{Listen|pos=left|filename=Riize - Talk Saxy (sample).ogg|title="Talk Saxy"|description="Talk Saxy" features a saxophone riff and 808-style drum machine beats throughout.|format=Ogg|}}

{{Blockquote|text=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.|author=Riize member Wonbin on the song's meaning|source=Vanity Teen{{cite web|title=RIIZE: Pursuing Bold New Heights Vanity Teen 虚荣青年 Lifestyle & New Faces Magazine|url=http://www.vanityteen.com/riize-interview|website=Vanity Teen|date=2023-12-06|access-date=2024-10-05}}}}

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.{{cite AV media notes|title=Riizing|publisher=SM Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment|location=South Korea|type=photobook|last=Riize|year=2024}} 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.{{cite web|title=RIIZE announces new single 'Talk Saxy,' following successful debut|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/09/398_361693.html|website=koreatimes|last=Kyung-min|first=Pyo|date=October 23, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024}} Others have described the song as having an "old school" sound, with a "pulsing beat".{{cite web|title=RIIZE are charting a rapid ascension in the K-pop industry – and they aren't slowing down|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/riize-rapid-ascension-k-pop-industry-six-month-look-back-3596245|website=NME|last=Morales|first=Ivana E.|date=March 4, 2024|access-date=October 5, 2024}} Lyrically, "Talk Saxy" revolves around one's attraction to a stranger and gaining their attention.{{cite web|title=New Music Friday: Listen To New Music From RIIZE, Norah Jones & Dave Grohl, Mr. Eazi & More|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/new-music-friday-riize-norah-jones-dave-grohl-more|website=GRAMMY.com|last=Moore|first=Imara|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524141046/https://www.grammy.com/news/new-music-friday-riize-norah-jones-dave-grohl-more|url-status=live}} "Talk Saxy" was composed in the key of F minor, with a tempo of 89 beats per minute.{{Cite web|title=Key & BPM for Talk Saxy by Riize|url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Talk-Saxy-RIIZE/2cEwQnP4284g37N6D7ETND|website=Tunebat|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=June 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613131616/https://tunebat.com/Info/Talk-Saxy-RIIZE/2cEwQnP4284g37N6D7ETND|url-status=live}}

"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".{{cite web|title=RIIZE Make Their Comeback With Funk-Infused "Talk Saxy"|url=https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/riize-make-their-comeback-with-talk-saxy|website=Ones to Watch|last=Risson|first=Alessandra|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065510/https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/riize-make-their-comeback-with-talk-saxy|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite magazine|title=10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: The Kid LAROI, Audrey Nuna, RIIZE & More|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/cool-new-pop-songs-the-kid-laroi-audrey-nuna-mgmt-riize-1235464301/|magazine=Billboard|last=Jason Lipshutz|first=Joe Lynch,Starr Bowenbank|date=November 6, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=April 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404025504/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/cool-new-pop-songs-the-kid-laroi-audrey-nuna-mgmt-riize-1235464301/|url-status=live}} The Kraze's Cidney Atcherson wrote that the song was "so addicting" and "a banger".{{cite web|title=Let's Talk About RIIZE's New Release "Talk Saxy"|url=https://thekrazemag.com/latest-updates/2023/10/29/lets-talk-about-riizes-new-release-talk-saxy|website=The Kraze|last=Atcherson|first=Cidney|date=October 29, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=November 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103132623/https://thekrazemag.com/latest-updates/2023/10/29/lets-talk-about-riizes-new-release-talk-saxy|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|title='발매 D-1' 라이즈, 'Talk Saxy' 베일 벗었다|trans-title="'Release D-1' Rise, 'Talk Saxy' unveiled"|url=https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023102670554&sns=y|website=The Korea Economic Daily|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Se-ah|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065627/https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023102670554&sns=y|url-status=live}} The full video was released onto SM's YouTube channel simultaneously with the song on October 27.{{cite web|title=라이즈, 힙한 관심 표현법 'Talk Saxy'|trans-title="Rise, a hip way to express interest 'Talk Saxy'"|url=https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023102702304&sns=y|website=The Korea Economic Daily|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Ji-won|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065511/https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023102702304&sns=y|url-status=live}} Directed by Lafic, the video was shot in early October 2023.{{Cite Instagram|postid=Cy5YKP9y-1D|user=lafic|title=RIIZE - TALK SAXY. Film for @riize_official|date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030105712/https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy5YKP9y-1D/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==|archive-date=October 30, 2023}} The music video sees the group performing the song in various flashy studios, backed by large speakers, globe lights, neon floors and graffiti. 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.

Following the release of "Get a Guitar", Riize performed on six South Korean music programs: KBS's Music Bank on October 27{{cite web|title=라이즈, 'Talk Saxy' 퍼포먼스로 어나더급 성장 입증|trans-title=Rise Proves Another Level of Growth with 'Talk Saxy' Performance|url=https://www.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=112700|website=Hankook Ilbo|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Hyun-hee|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065512/https://www.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=112700|url-status=live}} and November 3,{{cite web|title=라이즈의 깜짝 선물...유니폼 버전 'Talk Saxy'|trans-title=Rise's Surprise Gift... Uniform Version 'Talk Saxy'|url=https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023110302924&sns=y|website=The Korea Economic Daily|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Ji-won|date=November 3, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065512/https://plus.hankyung.com/apps/newsinside.view?aid=2023110302924&sns=y|url-status=live}} MBC's Show! Music Core on October 28 and November 4, SBS's Inkigayo on October 29 and November 5, and Mnet's M Countdown on November 9.{{cite web|title=라이즈, 저스틴 비버 안무가 만났다..'토크 색시' 역대급 퍼포먼스 나오나|trans-title=Rise, Justin Bieber Choreographer Meets... Will 'Talk Sexy' Show Off the Best Performance Ever?|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/music/2023/11/08/ANXSFXRSWF2TLSBL572KRA44D4/|via=The Chosun Ilbo|website=조선일보|publisher=Osen|language=ko|last=Park|first=So-young|date=November 8, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108210109/https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/music/2023/11/08/ANXSFXRSWF2TLSBL572KRA44D4/|url-status=live}}

To further promote the song, the group also performed on Mnet's Performance37,{{cite web|title=라이즈 '토크 색시' 무대 눈길|trans-title=Rise's 'Talk Sexy' Stage Attracts Attention|url=https://sports.donga.com/ent/article/all/20231030/121927091/1|website=The Dong-a Ilbo|language=ko|last=Jeon|first=Hyo-jin|date=October 30, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=April 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407085303/https://sports.donga.com/ent/article/all/20231030/121927091/1|url-status=live}} and MBC's It's Live.{{cite web|title=라이즈, 美 애플뮤직·샤잠 '2024 주목해야 할 아티스트' 선정...K팝 가수 유일|trans-title=Rise, US Apple Music·Shazam selected as 'Artist to pay attention to in 2024'... The only K-pop singer|url=https://www.donga.com/news/Culture/article/all/20240109/122959110/1|website=>The Dong-a Ilbo|language=ko|date=January 9, 2024|access-date=September 28, 2024|archive-date=January 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121112901/https://www.donga.com/news/Culture/article/all/20240109/122959110/1|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite web|title=라이즈, 연말 시상식 화제의 중심에 서다|trans-title=Rise, the center of attention at the year-end awards ceremony|url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/music/2023/12/03/OHSF45X4FPWXEK5VIP4TF3VUR4/|website=The Chosun Ilbo|publisher=Osen|language=ko|last=Sun|first=Mi-kyung|date=December 3, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=December 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203171441/https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/music/2023/12/03/OHSF45X4FPWXEK5VIP4TF3VUR4/|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite web|title=박남정·심신·윤상 2세 다 모였네...'MMA 2023' 참여한 시은·벨·앤톤|trans-title=Park Nam-jung, Sim Shin, and Yoon Sang II all gathered together... Sieun, Belle, and Anton participated in 'MMA 2023'|url=https://biz.chosun.com/entertainment/enter_general/2023/12/03/YJO7UPXQFBDGIRSO6MB4BFCDO4/|website=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|last=Young|first=Hana|date=December 3, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005065513/https://biz.chosun.com/entertainment/enter_general/2023/12/03/YJO7UPXQFBDGIRSO6MB4BFCDO4/|url-status=live}} At the 33rd Seoul Music Awards on January 2, 2024, the band again performed the song in a medley along with "Get a Guitar".{{cite web|title=[제33회 서울가요대상 SMA] 라이즈(RIIZE) 신인상-본상 무대 'Talk Saxy+Get A Guitar'|url=https://www.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1395138|website=스포츠서울|language=ko|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=September 28, 2024|archive-date=September 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928081811/https://www.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1395138|url-status=live}}

The song was also included in the setlist of the group's 2024 Riizing Day concert tour.{{cite web|title=라이즈, 2만8000명과 팬콘 투어 '피날레'..."자랑스러운 아티스트 되겠다"|trans-title=Rise, Fancon tour 'Finale' with 28,000 people..."I will be a proud artist"|url=https://www.hankyung.com/article/202409160805H|website=The Korea Economic Daily|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Soo-young|date=September 16, 2024|access-date=October 3, 2024|archive-date=October 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003052749/https://www.hankyung.com/article/202409160805H|url-status=live}}

Credits adapted from the Riizing liner notes.

Studio

• SM SSAM Studio – recording, engineered for mix
• 77F Studio – digital editing
• SM Lyvin Studio - engineered for mix
• SM Blue Cup Studio - mixing
• Sterling Sound – mastering

Personnel

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• SM Entertainment – executive producer
• Jang Cheol-hyuk – executive supervisor
• Riize – vocals
• Brice Fox - lyrics, composition
• Tony Ferrari - lyrics, composition, background vocals
• Jurek Reunamäki - lyrics, composition, arrangement
• Danke - lyrics
• Samuil - composition
• Tay Jasper - composition
• Adrian McKinnon - composition
• Benjamin 55 - arrangement
• 1Take - vocal direction
• Young Chance - background vocals
• Simon Petrén - piano
• Kang Eun-ji – recording, engineering
• Kim Hyo-jun - recording
• Woo Min-jeong - digital editing
• Lee Ji-hong - engineering
• Jeong Ui-seok - mixing
• Chris Gehringer – mastering

{{div col end}}

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Category:Riize songs

Category:2023 singles

Category:2023 songs

Category:SM Entertainment singles

Category:Songs in Korean

Category:Kakao Entertainment singles

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:South Korean dance-pop songs