Dutch mellow rockers Dripping Trees steps forward with their latest single, “Nothing’s Changed,” a harbinger of their forthcoming sophomore album, Balance is Gone. This slow-burning track embodies the band’s deep dive into slowcore, post-rock, and folk—a shift from the post-punk shadow of their earlier work, Fuel of Mankind.
“With Nothing’s Changed we wanted to set the tone for what people can expect from us on the album,” guitarist Stef van der Wielen explains. Ironically, while the song’s title suggests stasis, much has shifted within Dripping Trees. The most notable change? The addition of pianist Luc Lamée, whose nuanced touch brings new depth. “Luc’s play has really elevated our music,” van der Wielen continues. “I think this song displays everything we are good at, in just over 4 minutes.”
Nothing’s Changed lyrically captures the disconnection that arises from losing one’s grasp on life’s direction. Stijn Luijk, drummer and lyricist, penned words that unravel themes of isolation.
“It’s about a situation where you try to understand the meaning of what’s going on and how you feel, but you lose connection with yourself and the people around you,” van der Wielen shares. “The only thing that seems possible is to remain alone in it and distance yourself even more.”
This narrative is part of a broader story in Balance is Gone, a record where Dripping Trees pushes into raw, layered sounds under the guidance of producer JJJ Sielcken. Known for his work with Aestrid, Sielcken’s touch aligns seamlessly with the band’s evolving identity. “Jurriaan really gets our music,” says van der Wielen. “The connection between a band and a producer is really important to make a good record, and I am confident that the connection we have with Jurriaan is audible.”
The album, influenced by artists like The Velvet Underground, Red House Painters, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and Mazzy Star, represents a distinct turn. Dripping Trees sheds their post-punk roots, embracing subtler yet complex sonic territories. “We’ve become a bit more accessible,” van der Wielen admits, “not that we expect to be all over the radio, but there are definitely some hooks.”
While Balance is Gone hints at a new chapter, it also marks an end. Singer and guitarist Koen Ruijs is stepping away, and van der Wielen, along with Lamée, will scale back their involvement. “I fully support Koen’s decision,” van der Wielen states. “We will still remain a group of friends, but you can’t deny that this will have an influence on the band. Personally, I will take a step back and use it as an opportunity to write some songs for a new project.” Despite the departures, Luijk and bassist Stef Leijten plan to continue shaping Dripping Trees’ next phase.
Before the curtain falls on this iteration, Dripping Trees will celebrate Balance is Gone at a release show on November 30th at Audio Studio OZ in Oss. A second single, the title track “Balance is Gone,” drops on November 15th, laying another stone in their evolving path. “We are very proud of how Balance is Gone has turned out,” says van der Wielen. “When you listen to this album, you listen to us.”
