ALBII ‘PTSD’ - Turning Pain Into Alt-Pop Poetry

Emerging Australian alt-pop artist ALBII closes out 2025 with a profoundly moving new single, PTSD, a raw and intimate exploration of her journey through breast cancer. The track blends ethereal alt-pop textures with minimalist, intricately layered melodies, transforming trauma into a hauntingly beautiful soundscape. It’s an unapologetically personal statement, capturing both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

ALBII’s artistry has always walked the line between playful and profound. Drawing from 2000s pop, space rock, and cinematic, Tim Burton-inspired imagery, she creates a sound that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Though she only recently emerged as a vocalist, her impact has been swift: she’s claimed Visual Creative of the Year at the 2022 Gold Coast Music Awards, been a three-time videography finalist, and seen her debut single Hold On (Psycho) dominate charts, topping Play MPE for five weeks and landing fourth on the OzIndi Top 50 countdown.

The past two years, however, brought unprecedented challenges. In 2023, ALBII was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, forcing her to pause her burgeoning career. Yet, even amidst treatment, surgeries, and recovery, music remained her refuge. PTSD was largely recorded in her bedroom studio, capturing snippets of hospital sounds, home videos, and raw vocals recorded immediately post-treatment—a bold testament to authenticity in an era often dominated by polish.

“This song is both my story and something bigger. It’s about carrying heavy experiences and turning them into something that feels less like a weight and more like someone finally gets it,” ALBII shares. The song’s emotional depth is palpable, offering listeners a glimpse into the complex terrain of pain, resilience, and the subtle victories that often go unseen.

Sonically, PTSD balances ethereal delicacy with intense emotionality. Evoking the introspective minimalism of dodie, the lyric-driven poignancy of Phoebe Bridgers, and the commanding yet soft presence of Billie Eilish, the track slowly builds to a chaotic crescendo, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of ALBII’s journey. Every beat, shift, and sampled sound feels deliberate, creating a textured, immersive listening experience.

With PTSD, ALBII not only chronicles her own survival but also illuminates the emotional realities of breast cancer. It’s a song that resonates far beyond the personal, blending courage, vulnerability, and artistry into a powerful statement. In doing so, she proves that music can be both a mirror and a lifeline—a place where pain is transformed into something profoundly moving.