&#8216;Hanabie.&#8217; Release Hot Topic EP: Harajuku-Core Quartet Expand Their Sound with Five Dynamic Tracks

Tokyo’s rising Harajuku-core quartet ‘Hanabie.’ have released their latest EP Hot Topic via Sony Music Japan/Century Media Records, delivering their first new music since 2024’s Bucchigiri Tokyo EP. The five-track release captures the all-girl rock band continuing to expand their sonic palette, adding new flourishes to their base style of loud rock and metalcore. Equal parts heavy and humorous, Hot Topic finds ‘Hanabie.’ fully embracing their own voice.

Don’t be fooled by the band’s cute, girlish image. Since forming in 2015 when Yukina (vocals), Matsuri (guitar & vocals), and Hettsu (bass & chorus) came together for a high school club activity, ‘Hanabie.’ have built a reputation for powerful shouts, heavy riffs, and unique Japanese flair. With drummer Chika joining in May 2023, the quartet evolved into a force that’s captured fans worldwide – their hit single “Pardon Me, I Have To Go Now” has amassed over 10 million YouTube views and 5.3 million TikTok views.

Hot Topic showcases three brand new tracks alongside previously released singles “Spicy Queen” and “GIRL’S TALK”. The new material finds the band pushing beyond their established sound, experimenting with song structures and genres unlike anything they’ve attempted before.

Yukina (Vocals):

“We’ve put together another EP packed with a wide variety of songs this time around. With our new tracks ‘ICONIC’ and ‘Tokimeki about you’ I’d love it if everyone sang along and jumped around during the chorus – I can already picture the scene in my head! I can’t wait to perform these live at our shows. ‘GIRL’S TALK’ is a song that captures who we are right now, just as we are. ‘Spicy Queen’ looks back to our early days and reflects that original spirit. Both of these have already been released as singles, but they’re absolutely essential in bringing color and balance to ‘Hot Topic’. As has become something of a tradition for us, we let ourselves go all out with one playful track on an album or EP – this time, it’s ‘Theme of hanabienchan’. I’d love to see the confused looks on everyone’s faces when this song comes on after listening to the other four tracks!”

“Tokimeki about you” marks particularly new territory for ‘Hanabie.’ – it’s their first-ever straightforward love song, featuring a groovy instrumental section designed to get crowds moving. Meanwhile, “ICONIC” blends simple electronic elements with punchy, playful energy, accompanied by a music video that showcases deliberate asymmetry in the cover art’s design.

Matsuri (Guitar & Vocals):

“An EP perfectly suited to kick off 2026 is finally complete! This EP includes three new tracks. ‘ICONIC’ and ‘Tokimeki about you’ are punchy tracks that is simple x electronic with playful elements. By embracing a side that is different from usual, we feel that a new side of ‘Hanabie.’ was born. ‘Spicy Queen’ bursts with initial full-throttle impulse. ‘GIRL’S TALK’ is a glamorous, danceable track. Closing out ‘Hot Topic’ is ‘Theme of hanabienchan’. This EP delivers many different expressions of ‘Hanabie.’, so please enjoy listening to it from start to finish!”

The EP’s wild-card closer, “Theme of hanabienchan.”, serves as the theme song for the band’s unofficial character. It’s become tradition for ‘Hanabie.’ to include one playful, unexpected track on each release, and bassist Hettsu hints there might be a second installment if fan response warrants it.

Hettsu (Bass & Chorus):

“The new EP ‘Hot Topic’ features 5 tracks – 3 brand new songs plus the already released ‘GIRL’S TALK’ and ‘Spicy Queen’. Among the new songs ‘ICONIC’ and ‘Tokimeki about you’, we challenged ourselves with song structures and genres unlike anything we’ve done before. ‘Tokimeki about you’ is our first-ever straightforward love song as ‘Hanabie.’, and a key feature is the groovy sound of the instrumental section. It’s a track that we feel is great to move along to, so we hope everyone who comes to our live shows will enjoy it ♪ The fifth track, ‘Theme of hanabienchan.’, is the theme song for ‘Hanabie.’s unofficial character, ‘Hanabienchan’. As our wild-card track that is in every EP or album, it finally makes its appearance here! There might just be a second installment if there is a good response…?? With our 10th-anniversary track ‘Spicy Queen’, a more mature side of ‘Hanabie.’ in ‘GIRL’S TALK’, and three brand-new tracks with fresh styles, we feel this EP displays a new side of ‘Hanabie.'”

Chika (Drums):

“Three out of the five tracks on this EP are brand-new! The third track, ‘Tokimeki about you’, is my personal favorite as the drummer. I focused on creating contrast and dynamics in the drum arrangement. I especially love the moment in the first chorus where the cymbals drop out, and the strength of the rhythm section throughout the song. The fifth track is a special one – I think it will get stuck in your head once you hear it. The first track ‘ICONIC’ also has a music video, so be sure to check that out as well. Please also notice how there is a difference on the girl’s face between the left and right sides. We put a lot of effort into all aspects of this EP, from the songs to the cover art!”

‘Hanabie.’ made history in August 2024 as the first Japanese women to perform on the main stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Following a highly successful summer festival run and sold-out European shows, North American fans will get their chance to experience the band’s high-energy, inimitable live show on their first headliner beginning Friday, March 13, 2026 with ‘Nekrogoblikon’ and ‘Enterprise Earth’ as support.

HANABIE. “HOT TOPIC”-EP:
Streaming HERE