HINABI and HINA.BAND Prepare Cinematic Pop-Rock Record VOL II: KURATA

The upcoming album represents a departure from HINABI’s previous work, moving into a genre she describes as cinematic pop-rock. Behind the scenes, the project features high-profile production talent, including Los Angeles-based producer DK, who has over 190 credits in K-pop and EDM, alongside mastering engineer Stephen DeAcutis. The record centers on the philosophy that true love is an intentional act of building, a direct counter-narrative to the fleeting nature of contemporary swipe-based romance.

Band leader Dylan Youles, an ICMP graduate, shapes the group’s rhythmic foundation using a hybrid setup of pads and triggers. Alongside bassist Krzysztof "Kaye" Syposz, who brings a melodic, funk-influenced approach to the low end, the trio emphasizes collaboration over traditional session-work hierarchies. According to HINABI, the band was tasked with building a soundscape that envelops her vocals rather than merely supporting them. As the group prepares to release their lead single, RENEGADE, the project remains grounded in a deliberate, serious approach to songwriting, far removed from the typical aesthetic tropes often found in modern rock music.