Cinematic pop-rock trio Route xYz made their official debut on Feb. 20 with the release of their first single, “Madama,” now streaming on all major digital platforms. The band marked the occasion with a live launch event at The 70’s Bistro recently.

“Madama” blends emotional storytelling with sweeping orchestral elements, fusing the nostalgia of classic OPM with a bold, cinematic pop-rock sound.

Layered harmonies, dynamic arrangements, and expressive instrumentation build a rich sonic landscape that examines a love that exists yet cannot be fully felt — a farewell to something once cherished, or a bond held back by circumstance.

Every note carries longing, restraint, and emotional depth — establishing the band’s artistic identity from the outset.

Route xYz is made up of Lemuel “Lem” Belaro, Hiro Ozaki, and Ivo Gatela — three artists united by legacy, cross-cultural influence, and a shared creative vision. Belaro, the songwriter behind Callalily’s beloved hits “Magbalik,” “Pansamantala,” “Ex,” “Pasan,” and “Stars,” brings more than two decades of experience and award-winning craft to this new chapter.

His accolades span the Wish 107.5 Music Awards, OPM Songhits Awards, and the MYX Year-End Countdown — a testament to his enduring influence on the OPM landscape.

Reflecting on his departure from Callalily, Belaro was candid about the creative distance that had grown within the group.

“What really happened was that we just stopped clicking. We each wanted different things. I was the one who wanted to focus on music. I didn’t want anything else involved. I didn’t want conflict either. No negativity — so I said, I just really want to focus on music.”

Vocalist Ivo Gatela, a rising talent under Belaro’s mentorship, anchors the band’s emotional core with sincerity and depth. On guitars, Ozaki — a Japanese-born musician who found a creative home in the Philippines — co-wrote the theme song for “Pulang Araw,” a Netflix Philippines series.

Ozaki has built a growing digital following by reimagining OPM songs as J-rock arrangements, bridging two musical cultures through his craft.

Rooted in strong songwriting, melodic storytelling, and immersive live performance, Route xYz presents “Madama” as both an introduction and a declaration of intent.

The single brings their sound to streaming audiences, while the launch at The 70’s Bistro translated that cinematic intensity to the stage — marking the beginning of a compelling new chapter.

Belaro spoke openly about the band's direction during the media conference, describing how working alongside two Gen Z artists pushed him toward a more experimental sound.

"My bandmates now are two Gen Z artists. I said, let's play around with the sound. Now it's more experimental. We're open to different genres for now. Our reference is cinematic pop-rock. That's why we have elements like violins and brass. That's what we're doing now."

Ozaki, largely self-taught, draws from both his Japanese roots and his deep immersion in OPM. "More Japanese rock, but I also have a style from OPM. Self-study lang ako sa guitar sa internet," he shared.