Okay, picture this: it’s a grey November afternoon in the Netherlands, the rain is doing that typical Dutch drizzle thing, and suddenly your speaker blasts a song that smells like sunscreen, cheap red wine, and zero regrets. That, my friends, is exactly what Raffie de Driver just served us with his brand-new single “Sangria”.
If you’ve ever seen Goldband live, you already know Raffie—he’s the ridiculously charming driver who somehow ended up stealing half the show with his unhinged energy and André Hazes-meets-karaoke-night vibes. What started as a running gag (the band’s actual chauffeur releasing music) has quickly snowballed into one of the most lovable cult stories in current Nederpop. And “Sangria” is the proof that this man is 100% serious about the absurdity.
Co-written and produced by Boaz Kok (yes, one-third of Goldband) and the always-tasteful Wieger Hoogendorp, “Sangria” is pure dance-pop sunshine with a very Dutch twist. We’re talking massive hooks, handclaps you can’t resist, and a chorus so catchy it should probably come with a responsible-drinking warning. It’s the kind of track that starts in the pub at 11 PM and ends with everyone on the tables screaming the lyrics by 2 AM—except it somehow still works perfectly on a festival mainstage in broad daylight. Happy, energetic, feel-good Nederpop that feels like the lovechild of Goldband’s chaos and De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig’s wink-and-nod humor.
Lyrically? Raffie stays in his lane of glorious absurdity. This is a song about thirst—literal and very much metaphorical—wrapped in the warm glow of too many glasses of the red stuff. It’s romantic, ridiculous, and strangely touching all at once, exactly like the man himself. His voice sits in that sweet spot between levenslied legend and your mate who grabbed the mic after one too many beers, and honestly? It works like magic.
“Sangria” is the second taste of Raffie’s upcoming EP (dropping sometime in 2026, right around his hotly anticipated Noorderslag debut). If the first single “Boudewijn” was the sweet, teary-eyed drunk hug, “Sangria” is the moment the lights come up and everyone starts dancing on the bar. After killing it at PIP, Wildeburg, Wilde Weide, and even sneaking onto the Lowlands lineup, it’s clear Raffie de Driver isn’t just Goldband’s funny sidekick anymore—he’s building his own glitter-soaked empire, one absurd banger at a time.
Honestly, Dutch pop hasn’t felt this fun and unpretentious in ages. If you need a shot of instant joy this autumn, press play on “Sangria” and thank me later.
Stream it everywhere right now, turn it up loud, and maybe pour yourself a glass (responsibly, of course).
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What do you think of Raffie’s glow-up? Is “Sangria” your new autumn anthem? Drop your thoughts below—I’m dying to know!
