A.B. Original are officially back, with Trials revealing the acclaimed hip-hop duo have completed their long-awaited second album.
Speaking to Rolling Stone AU/NZ following his keynote appearance at BIGSOUND 2026 in Brisbane, Trials confirmed that a new record from himself and Briggs is not only on the way – it’s already done.
“It’s a great record. It’s done,” he said. “I sent the demos off last week. It’s been recorded over the last couple of years, [in] Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, a little bit in America. It’s got a lot of guests on there that I can’t wait to talk about. That part I won’t say out loud, but holy moly… I wish I could!”
Trials stopped short of revealing exactly when fans can expect to hear the album, but indicated its release isn’t too far away.
The news marks a major return for A.B. Original, who have largely been quiet as a duo in recent years while Trials and Briggs focused on other projects.
Trials released his debut solo album, hendle, earlier this year, while Briggs launched hardcore punk outfit BIG NOTER in 2025. The latter are preparing to release their debut album, Songs in the Key of Wrestling, on September 18th.
Briggs and Trials formed A.B. Original in 2016, releasing their debut album, Reclaim Australia, that same year. The record became one of the most acclaimed Australian hip-hop releases of the decade, earning multiple APRA, AIR and ARIA Awards as well as the Australian Music Prize.
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Its single “January 26” also became a defining moment for the duo. The track was among the forces behind growing calls for triple j to move its Hottest 100 countdown away from that date, with the broadcaster changing the date of the annual countdown from 2017.
“January 26” was more recently recognised by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, which included the track in its list of the Best Australian and New Zealand Songs of the 21st Century So Far.
