Balthazar have shared a new single off their forthcoming release Sand, the song entitled “You Won’t Come Around”. Previously slated for release at the end of January, the album will now be out on 26th February, via Play It Again Sam. Balthazar’s Maarten Devoldere says of “You Won’t Come Around”: “Breakup songs come in different shapes. This one’s about the guilt you feel after you follow your selfish heart blindly into a new love.”

Balthazar is Led by Jinte Deprez and Maarten Devoldere who unite both on writing duties and as frontmen. Refining their approach to writing, the subsequent recording and following their own solo excursions Jinte, under the nom de plume J.Bernardt with his R&B infused Running Days and Maaarten with the louche, torch song influenced Warhaus – the fluidity and uninhibited process provided an alternative and altogether less restrictive blueprint. One that was undoubtedly aided by their own solo projects.

As Maarten comments; “we did a lot of things that we haven’t done previously – we’ve never used as many drum samples or used bass synths before. So that was an exciting step for us.” Jinte interjects; “it was a very modern way of making an album, due to the constraints of the pandemic and we had to work remotely and converse electronically rather than in a studio.”

As Jinte further explains; “the idea was always to drop another album as soon as possible after Fever. It was fun and we wanted to build on that.” That feeling is reinforced with Maarten saying; “I can’t wait to play this album live because on the Fever tour we pushed the groove element further.”

The album’s artwork features a piece by renowned Dutch sculptor Margriet Van Breevort who specializes in hyper-realistic sculptures. This was originally commissioned by a medical centre in Holland and is one of many that are synonymous with the artist. Entitled Humunculus Loxodontus aka The One Who Waits, representing as Maarten explains; “the way you feel when in a waiting room, obliged to wait and feeling self-conscious and awkward. The more we researched it the more it fitted the idea of the album.”

As they conclude; “there’s a theme running through these tracks, waiting, restlessness, not being able to live in the moment or putting your trust into the future. We’re at a point in our lives when we have to consider these aspects of life, that’s why the album is called Sand – after the sand in an hourglass.”

Balthazar
Sand
Tracklisting
Play It Again Sam

Moment
Losers
On A Roll
I Want You
You Won’t Come Around
Linger On
Hourglass
Passing Through
Leaving Antwerp
Halfway
Powerless