Iconic Ngarrindjeri artist and producer trials has announced the release of his debut solo album 'hendle', releasing Friday 1 May, marking a bold new chapter in a career that has shaped Australian hip hop for over 20 years.
To coincide with the announcement, the acclaimed songwriter, producer and performer has released two new singles - 'what's the colour of love?' and 'you could never hate me (like I do)' offering the first glimpse into his most personal and powerful project yet.
Long recognised for his work as one-half of A.B. Original and as a collaborator with artists including Hilltop Hoods, Archie Roach, Gurrumul, Paul Kelly and Thelma Plum, trials - real name Daniel Hendle Rankine - has produced, written, recorded, performed and mixed every track on 'hendle*', which he describes as a "warts and all" origin story.
The 10-track album tells a raw and unsanitised story of childhood marked by displacement, domestic violence, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma and incarceration.
It is also a testament to survival, healing, and the strength found in confronting personal truth. trials plays every instrument on the album and draws from his extensive background in composing for screen and stage to deliver an emotionally resonant body of work.
"A solo record is something I've always needed to do as these topics speak to so many people and it was important that I told my story my way alone," Mr Rankine said.
"I've been fortunate to play so many parts for so many people and projects, but I owed it to myself and to my story to take the sole responsibility of turning that pain and passion into song... it's unashamedly me and my story in all its fractured pieces."
Premiered on triple j's Drive with Tyrone & Abby, 'what's the colour of love?' is a love letter to the spirit and strength of women and children, highlighting the burden they often carry and the responsibility men must take on to create safer communities.
"This is a love letter to the spirit and strength of women and children who learn to look after each other before themselves," Mr Rankine said.
"While the admiration for overcoming adversity is evident, detailing my own harrowing story amongst it, the song's most poignant point that it drives toward the audience is the responsibilities of men."
The accompanying video clip, directed and produced by trials, depicts him standing alone in an infinite white space surrounded by faces from the past.
It closes with a transition to a full-colour painting that will feature in a forthcoming interactive art exhibition tied to the album.
Also released today, 'you could never hate me (like I do)' tackles deep depression and self-loathing, offering a hard-hitting reflection on self-destruction and rebirth through forgiveness.
The album will be accompanied by a memoir and interactive exhibition, showcasing trials' paintings and photography, and providing a visual interpretation of the emotional journey behind the music.
"Amongst a complicated childhood, I found out later in life the person I was the most estranged from was myself," Mr Rankine said.
"Writing these songs, painting the portraits and putting the words to paper helped me understand myself as a person, who I was, who I am and who I want to be."
He will join Hilltop Hoods on the 'Never Coming Home' National Arena Tour starting this Saturday, 14 February in Hobart, followed by sold-out shows in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
The 'hendle' project represents the most complete and uncompromising portrait yet of one of Australia's most distinctive and established voices.
The full project is available on all major streaming platforms now.
