Produced by hitmaker Shadiel Chan, the group’s latest release showcases a softer, more mature sound following newfound momentum.
After captivating local and international audiences with the viral cover of “Takedown”—which has amassed more than millions of views across social media—and following the release of their fan-favorite single “Tanga,” emerging P-Pop powerhouse KAIA makes a triumphant comeback with “hulog,” their new single under Sony Music Entertainment.
Where “Tanga” mined the irrational things people do in the name of love, “hulog” steers the direction toward something lighter, brighter, and more hopeful: the exhilarating feeling of falling in love. Built around the central question, “Paano ka ba nahulog?,” the song invites listeners to revisit the innocent and exciting moments that made their hearts flutter for someone in the first place.
The song celebrates romance in its purest form, capturing the indescribable joy and overwhelming feeling of someone who is ready to fall in love.
“hulog came at the right time because it really represents where we are as KAIA now,” shares the five-piece pop group. “After everything we’ve experienced from our previous releases and the love we received from our fans, we wanted to share a song that shows a more vulnerable and heartfelt side of us. This song is about vulnerability, about allowing ourselves to be open, to take risks, and to embrace the emotions that come with caring deeply about something or someone. We felt that it was the perfect song to mark this new chapter because it reflects our growth not just as artists but also as individuals.”
The release marks a big moment for KAIA as it taps some of the most influential names in today’s modern OPM. “hulog” is produced by Shadiel Chan of Nine Degrees North, alongside Ken Ponce, with Chan cementing his reputation as one of the country’s premier hitmakers. Widely recognized as the producer behind Cup of Joe’s blockbuster hit “Multo” and numerous chart-topping records over the past five years, Chan brings his signature melodic chops and production touches to KAIA’s latest release.
The song’s lyrics were penned by Jikamarie, Red Ridao, Ron Pangyarihan, and Chan himself; KAIA, on the other hand, contributed to the creative process by sharing their experiences and perspectives. “Working with Mr. Shadiel Chan was truly a dream for us. We’ve always admired his work, especially his ability to create deeply emotional songs like Multo, so getting the chance to collaborate with him felt really surreal and special.”
The acclaimed quintet adds, “It was also a dream for us to perform a song created by Mr. Shadiel Chan and Mr. Red Ridao. We are truly grateful and honored to have worked with them on hulog, as they thoughtfully shaped its sound and emotion while guiding us in delivering the right feelings through our vocals. The entire experience made the song even more meaningful and special for us as artists.”
hulog stands out thanks to its warm, uplifting production, backed by carefully crafted vocal arrangements. Throughout the recording, KAIA worked closely with Chan, Ponce, and R&B singer-songwriter Jikamarie, who guided the group through harmonies, ad-libs, and vocal interpretation.
“While recording, we learned so much from our producers and Ms. Jikamarie, who helped us with the adlibs and harmonies, allowing us to explore and bring out different emotions in the song,” KAIA reveals. “We also had meaningful conversations that helped us connect with the message of hulog on a deeper level. The process gave us the chance to look back on some of our happiest memories and use those genuine feelings to bring more heart and authenticity into our performance.”
KAIA’s “hulog” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
