dropper - Be a Little Kinder OUT NOW
‘Be A Little Kinder’, the debut album by Pōneke-based alt-rock outfit Dropper, is available now, via Bigpop Records’ boutique label Particle Recordings.
Musically, Dropper’s songs are cinematic in scope and intimate in feeling. ‘Be a Little Kinder’ draws on the feeling of hopelessness, confusion and being stuck in unhealthy thought patterns. Written collaboratively by Jude Savage and River Hann-Ellen, the album was a creative outlet for the two artists who, after experiencing the highs of performing in a celebrated teenage band, now had to navigate the grief and loss of bandmate and friend, Otis Hill. “It all happened over a very strange time, and the friendships and common focuses got us through. It was [also] my first time doing a full-on collaboration with someone on songwriting”, says Savage.
Across the album’s eleven tracks, Dropper showcases their ability to take pop melodies and polished songwriting and distort them to the point of becoming agitated; the kind of songwriting reminiscent of the late 90s and early 00s American and New Zealand alternative scenes. “It's angry and frustrated, masked behind happier melodies”.
This is clearly reflected in the opening and focus track of the album, ‘Anchor’, written as a call to the band to keep moving forward. “I feel like the song captures the feelings of the record really well, which is why it makes sense to go first, a real tone setter”.
Songs like ‘Through Your Teeth’ observe dislocation and disorientation from the outside looking in, while ‘Pinwheel’, a duet with Lilith Ercolano (Eveline Breaker), showcases a different kind of lyrical tension and tonal contrast. But it’s ‘Breathe Through the Wire’ that defines the record’s emotional heart.
‘Breathe Through The Wire’, a “Frankenstein song of old unused Bleeding Star guitar parts. The song stemmed from the opening riff, which was found after my late friend and collaborator Otis Hill had died. His mum sent me the riff out of the blue, mentioning I should use it for a song. I re-learnt it and started putting together the song by digging up old unfinished songs I had written with Otis. In my eyes, it's almost “the final Bleeding Star song”, a true farewell to a friend and to the record. It's a thank you to Otis. The song lyrically is about not being able to help someone you care for, which seems very fitting.”
“The following track, 'Be A Little Kinder’, closes the record in a 1:20-second blaze of fury. It's almost the encore to the record, with ‘Breathe Through The Wire’ being the true closer”, explains Savage.
Accompanying the release is a visualiser for ‘Anchor’, which captures that push-and-pull energy visually. Edited by Lou Tobin at Bigpop Studios, with footage by Anky Live and Tom Grut (who also graded the video). The visualiser shows the band transitioning from a relaxed showcase set at Wellington’s famous Athfield House to a performance at Auckland’s iconic venue, The Powerstation (opening for UK indie legends Wunderhorse).
Bringing all of this together, the album was recorded and mixed by River Hann-Ellen and Arran Cargill-Brown at Massey University, and features performances from Flinn Bellam on bass and Walter Martin on drums. “All of these people shaped the album into what it is today, and we couldn't have done it without them”.
Track Listing
Anchor
Through Your Teeth
Pinwheel
Is the Worrying Working?
You Do You
Whatever Works For You
Your Face Says it All
Didn’t Want to Be Your Light
Bleed Out
Breathe Through the Wire
Be a Little Kinder
Dropper’s music carries both the weight of loss and the urgency of renewal. The project has become a vessel of resilience and an emotional outlet for the band. Savage’s writing, taking inspiration from the likes of Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü) and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs), found new strength in Hann-Ellen’s intricate arrangements, merging raw and unfiltered sounds with an alt-y, hardcore-adjacent restlessness. Joined by new members, Dropper has taken final form as: Savage on vocals and guitar, Bellamy (guitar), Walter Martin (drums) and Toby Gracewood-Easther (bass).
They stand as proof that out of heartbreak can come beauty, power, and a renewed sense of purpose. The friendship between the members, paired with their commitment to the music, strongly carries through in their performances and songwriting. ‘Everyone genuinely really likes each other in the band, which I think shows on stage.’ - Toby Gracewood-Easther “It’s really refreshing, just a band focusing on something simple - as Jude would say, to serve the song. We’re not trying to prove anything to each other, it’s really song-based music.” -Walter Martin.
With this chemistry translating powerfully to a live setting, Dropper have jumped between local stages at San Fran and Meow and some of the nation’s most renowned venues, supporting There’s A Tuesday (NZ), shame (UK), Office Dog (NZ), Twine (AUS), Wunderhorse (UK), and The Lemonheads (USA). Audiences and critics have embraced Dropper’s intensity on the stage: “high energy stage performances punctuated by flawless musicianship and songwriting skills that seem beyond their years,” wrote Daniel O’Brien from MuzicNZ. Dropper will be showcasing the album across several Aotearoa stages this summer, before kicking off in 2026. “We always make sure to give it our all no matter the place or size of the crowd”.
Be A Little Kinder – Album Release Mini Tour
Wellington – Meow, November 21 (Album release show).
Whanganui – Porridge Watson, November 28 (supporting Model Home, Yon Loader and Pining Radiata).
Auckland – The Others Way Festival, November 29 (headlining the all-ages stage).
Twisted Frequency Music Festival – December 30th to January 3rd.
Looking ahead, 2026 will mark a new chapter for Dropper, with plans already underway for more writing, more touring, and more chances to get their music in front of the people it was made for. Energised by the release of Be A Little Kinder, the band steps into the new year with renewed drive and purpose, ready to keep growing, connecting, and building the world they’ve carved out one show at a time. ‘The music is constant, we’re all going to want to keep playing. I want to be a 70-year-old rocker’ - Jude Savage.
‘Be a Little Kinder’ is out now, through Particle Recordings. Physical CDs and T-shirts are available to purchase via Bandcamp or at Dropper shows alongside the release!
“I hope people can find something to relate to in the lyrics and enjoy the intricate instrumentals. I would love it if someone obsessed over the record as much as I’ve obsessed over other New Zealand bands' records.” - Jude Savage