Some tracks aren't so much played in your headphones as sat in with, scarring you a little deeper each time, making you revisit the conversations you never got to have. Rize Michael's new track, "things you wouldn't say", does just that.
Penned in the aftermath of a love story that fizzled before it ever caught fire, the track grapples with all the if onlys, if only we said what we needed to say. If only we allowed the words to fall instead of remaining trapped inside. That universal heartache of so many missed opportunities and the silence that stretches just too long becomes the pulse of the song. For Rize Michael, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but currently operates from Atlanta, music has become a frequent tool for richer storytelling. His songs document the gulf between where you're from and where you're going, whether that's a physical distance or an emotional one. On "things you wouldn't say," he dives headfirst into that world of pondering, weaving tender vocals and lyricism through atmospheric alt production primed for late-night listening sessions. The single also spotlights up-and-coming TikTok performer Shaudie Man for texture and contrast, rendering it even more dynamic. Together they push the track out of petty heartbreak into something much larger, it's about shared regret, dual perspectives, and the honesty that often comes too late.
This release isn't in a vacuum, either. It is Rize Michael's fourth single from his meticulously rolled-out campaign, which kicked off in the second half of 2025 and leads into his forthcoming project, "I can't wait to know you, always." If "things you wouldn't say" is any indication, the project is poised to be simultaneously intensely personal and holistically resonant. Fans of the duo won't have to wait long to see their music realised either - the official music video will follow the release of their debut single, which will add an extra dimension to an already emotive release.
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