On January 10, singer-songwriter and guitarist Barbie Almalbis released Not That Girl, her fifth studio album. On the same day, the album launched in cocktail bar Sari Sari in Makati, with an extended live set, along with renditions of her fan favorite tracks. The launch was performed alongside Kai del Rio, .bird, Twin Lobster, and Johnoy Danao.
Not That Girl signals a new direction for Almalbis’ as she reflects on some of the most difficult periods of her life. “The overarching themes are about holding on to faith through struggles, finding hope through surrender, and celebrating the joy that comes from love and friendship,” Almalbis says.
Almalbis is the former vocalist of acoustic rock band Hungry Young Poets, formed in 1996 alongside bassist Ricci Gurango. After the release of their self-titled debut album in the same year, the band was joined by Franklin Benitez on drums. Gurango left the band in 1998 to join pop-rock band MOJOFLY. Almalbis formed Barbie’s Cradle with the remaining members of Hungry Young Poets, later disbanding in 2005 as Almalbis pursued a solo career.
Almalbis’ intimate lyrics have often touched on heartbreak and unrequited love. However, her new album leans into personal challenges, exploring themes of mental health and emotional resilience, while combining her trademark guitar riffs with electronic experiments in composition.
“Writing these songs came naturally, almost out of necessity,” she says. “I was reminded of the day when I was a teenager, overwhelmed by emotions, and the only way I could process them was to pour them into my writing. It felt like I was reconnecting with something deeper within me.”
The album was co-produced by Nick Lazaro, whose approach to recording Almalbis describes as raw, unfiltered, and refreshing. Lazaro has also worked with artists like Clara Benin, BP Valenzuela, and Twin Lobster.
Almalbis is set to perform the Not That Girl in full at the Music Lane Festival in Okinawa, Japan on January 19.
