Gold Coast-based alt-pop artist ALBII makes a striking debut with her single, “Hold On (Psycho),” a bold and cheeky anthem exploring the hilariously awkward dynamics of new love and lingering exes. With her distinctive sound, ALBII seamlessly blends infectious energy with a dark, playful twist.
The track pulses with an energetic drum beat and eerie soundscapes, creating a vibe that’s both haunting and cheeky. With “Hold On (Psycho),” ALBII encourages listeners to embrace life’s chaos, laugh through the madness, and find humour in its unpredictability.
A talented creative, Bianca Hinton—the force behind ALBII—won the inaugural ‘Visual Creative of the Year’ award at the 2022 Gold Coast Music Awards and has collaborated with renowned artists like Sheppard, Jaguar Jonze, and Casey Barnes. After tentatively stepping into the industry that same year, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in 2023. Now, having overcome the challenges of treatment, she’s back, ready to share her unique sound with the world. Expanding her creative pursuits once again, ALBII has self-produced her debut release alongside her uncle Jamie, crafting music that is as playful as it is captivating.
“It’s so cool to finally be stepping into my own space, after years being behind the camera. I’m so inspired by the amazing artists I’ve worked with, and now I’m ready to make my own mark. I’m excited to bring my sound to the world and take people on this wild journey with me.”
We asked ALBII to Hang 5 and spill the tea on her first step into releasing music. Check out her responses below!
Hang 5 with ALBII:
1. Tell us about your new single
‘Hold On (Psycho)’ is my debut single about the chaos of a modern love triangle—the kind you see in rom-com movies (because they’re my absolute favorite haha). I wanted to capture that chaotic and comedic energy and create a song that sounds like how a rom-com movie feels. So, it’s a little unhinged, a bit of fun, and has a sprinkle of humor in there too. Producing half of this track myself allowed me to really hone in on my sound and gave me the freedom to shape the track into a genuine reflection of my personality. At the end of the day, all I want to do is make music that I love, even if it takes the form of a silly little song like this one.
2. What first got you into music?
Music has always been a big part of my life, but not in the typical “I grew up in a musical family” kind of way, because I didn’t haha. Jamie (my uncle and co-producer) was the only musician in the family, so having him as a positive role model growing up really influenced the love I have for music now. As a kid, I always felt really connected to it, but I was too shy to navigate it, so I just… didn’t. Being an artist felt like an impossible dream. Then in 2023, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and everything shifted. Music consumed me in the best way and helped me get through two years of absolute chaos. I realized that this is the path I need to take to fully embrace the fragile and unpredictable life that I’ve been given.
3. What is your creative process for making new music or writing a new song?
My creative process usually starts with finding the chords, then the melody, then the lyrics. However, for ‘Hold On (Psycho),’ it all started with a little random beat I created in Logic. I remember being bored on a Saturday afternoon and needing a creative outlet—there wasn’t much to it, just a kick, a cute midi bass line, and a simple plucked synth. I never thought it would end up being the start of my first-ever release. The melody was an interesting one for me to write and so different from anything I’d done before. Exploring a new songwriting process was exciting, and I’m stoked that I did because I wouldn’t have this song otherwise.
4. How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I’d describe my music as “if dreamy pop had an affair with the grim reaper.” It’s quirky and upbeat but also driven by dark synths and heavy bass. I draw from my own life experiences, but I also write from various perspectives—whether it’s people I know, characters, or even imagined situations. You’ll find subtle nods to some of my favorite artists and bands, like Gwen Stefani, Billie Eilish, Muse, and The Beatles. I create songs I’d love to hear live, so they’re usually pretty bass-heavy—I love playing around with different sensory elements, especially if it takes the music to a different place. Unless the song is a raw, emotional exploration of my personal experiences, I like to keep things fun.
5. What’s next for you?
Oh man, where do I even start haha. I have a lot of music in the works, and I’ve been spending time behind the scenes learning about live shows and how to put them together—because you never know what the year might have in store. I’d love to work on an EP in the coming months because I have songs coming out of my ears at this point. I’m the new kid on the block, and I’m experiencing all of this for the first time, but learning and navigating the industry has been a lot of fun. It’s always been about enjoying the ride and embracing the journey for me, so I’m excited to see where this might take me even if it’s to my local kindergarten on a Friday afternoon singing to a room full of toddlers (…why not?!).
ALBII’s debut single “Hold On (Psycho)” drops on all streaming services on February 7th.