10 jaar Kerst met Stippenlift (NL)

About

Stippenlift is the project of Dutch singer and producer Hugo van de Poel, who coined the term "depriwave" to describe his brand of Dutch language music about depression, sensory overload, neurodivergence and the general weight of being alive. The whole thing started in 2016 with a debut release called Gemiste Kansen vol. 1, and tracks like Huilen, Autisme, Was Ik Maar Dood and Euthanasie make clear that Van de Poel is not interested in softening any edges. What began as something pretty niche has grown into a cult following, a clothing label also called depriwave, multiple alter egos, and an Instagram community where mental health is talked about openly. The Christmas angle arrived early too. Ten years on from the debut single Huilen (Kerst), Stippenlift has built up a whole catalogue of festive songs that sit somewhere between holiday cheer and emotional reckoning. Some psychologists apparently recommend the music for people dealing with serious depression, which feels both surprising and completely logical once you hear it. The appeal is in the honesty: a space where feeling broken at Christmas, or any other time, is not just acceptable but celebrated.