In the summer of 2023/24, a collaboration began between Jude Savage, frontman of Bleeding Star, and River Hann-Ellen from Debt Club. What started as a mutual admiration for each other’s songwriting evolved into a joint songwriting effort that would go on to form the basis for a new project, Dropper.

Jude's emotionally charged songwriting, often compared to Bob Mould's work with Hüsker Dü or Greg Dulli in Afghan Whigs, was complemented by River's knack for intricate arrangements. The duo's songwriting partnership resulted in a collection of songs that shaped what would become the band's core sound.