EP REVIEW: Hot Topic – HANABIE.
Tokyo punk upstarts HANABIE. have made a real name for themselves over the past few years. The self-proclaimed ‘Harajuku-core’ quartet are rising through the ranks with gathering speed, thanks to both their snarling music output and their bouncy, high-octane live shows. 2025 saw them play nearly 100 shows across the world, including an appearance at Knotfest in Mexico and a well-attended UK tour that featured a sold out show at London’s Electric Ballroom. Now, with a North American headline run due to begin in the spring, the band are preparing for a massive 2026 with Hot Topic, their third E.P out on Wednesday, January 28th via Sony Music.
The opening two tracks are the ones already out as singles, and they’re suitably bonkers and brilliant in equal measure. ICONIC starts with a phone call and electronic samples, then brings in all manner of elements; it’s pacey and keeps you on your toes, having both punk-laced riffs and metalcore inspired breakdowns while also combining in the Japanese idol pop vocals that helped make BABYMETAL one of the most original bands on the planet, ably provided by guitarist Matsuri. Her vocal trade off with lead vocalist Yukina is a highlight of the whole release, and it goes up a notch on mosh anthem Spicy Queen, with Yukina‘s rapped screams so potent you’re left scratching your head as to how she even keeps up with herself. Musically, it’s relentless, filled with groove and bounce and refusing to let up for a moment.
Of the three unreleased tracksトキメキ About You (translation: Tokimeki About You or Excited About You) takes a more nu/rap metal approach, underpinned by Hettsu‘s rumbling bassline and bringing turntable scratches into the mix; the last minute, though, has a pulsing electronic beat which explodes into a fast climax, riff-laden and perfect to get the pit started again. GIRL’S TALK has been a live staple for the best part of two years now, and it’s easy to see why with more excellent vocal trade offs and a huge, anthemic chorus that soars impressively. Closing track はなびえんちゃん。のテーマ (Theme of Habaniechan or Hanabie’s Theme) is the shortest on the record as just 99 seconds long and, when compared to the rest of the EP, a complete curveball: there are no guitars or harsh vocals, just bubblegum pop beats, jovial trumpets and the sense that HANABIE. have essentially, as the title might suggest, had a crack at answering the question ‘If we had our own anime series, what would the theme song be?’. Expect it to become their intro tape at gigs when they come on stage in the immediate future.
There are lots of things you can accomplish in a quarter of an hour and many of them are probably quite boring, but you could do a lot worse than completing them with this in yours ears. It’s bright, colourful and above all a hell of a lot of fun, another home run from a band who are brimming with potential.
Rating: 7/10
HOT TOPIC is out now via Sony Music Japan/Music For Nations.
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