Hippo Campus Straps On Their Boots With The Release of Their Newest Single, "Kick in The Teeth"
Words and Graphic by Sophia Earley
It’s evident throughout their entire discography that Hippo Campus is not afraid to experiment with their sound. A bulk of their tracks can be grouped into the definitive indie-rock world — upbeat instrumentals with pensive lyrics that anyone can find themselves bobbing their heads to. However, through works like their 2021 EP Good Dog, Bad Dream, which preceded the release of their third studio album LP3, we can hear them breaking into new genres, and trying them on for size. Good Dog, Bad Dream creeps towards the realm of hyperpop, a sound listeners had yet to hear from the group. Frontman Jake Luppen even comments that the EP was built around the 5th track, Mojo Jojo, because it didn’t have any other place in their discography.
PHOTO BY @SHERVINPHOTO
Now, a bit over a year following the release of LP3, Hippo Campus re-enters the scene with the release of Kick in the Teeth — the first single off of their upcoming EP entitled Wasteland, set to release in April. It isn’t often that we see an indie-rock band cross over into the country genre, but it sounds like Hippo Campus has decided to defy all of our expectations. The track starts off with a simple acoustic guitar, underscoring Luppen’s vocals, longing for a life of love and substance (“Think I need a little more than what he’s asking for.”) It isn’t until the chorus kicks in (ha-ha!) that we’re left saying “oh they really are going country.” The chorus reads “So when you come home will you think about me, I’m about as lonely as a cowboy can be,” once again emphasizing Luppen’s cry for someone to love, and of course to return the love to him, so he can ultimately find the comfort and security for which he’s been searching. The track overall is a love-letter with simple and nostalgic instrumentals, paired with Luppen’s romantic and resonant vocals, accented with a country twang.
Artwork & design by Julian Gross (@grossjulian)
Illustration by Sonny Gerasimowicz (@sonny_gerasimowicz)
Stream “Kick In The Teeth” now and keep your eyes and ears peeled for the release of Wasteland, out April 14th via Grand Jury Music!
