By: Alex Plumer
After the widespread success of their fan-beloved sophomore album, Bambi, indie-rock darlings Hippo Campus are finally back with new music after four years of anticipation. The St. Paul-based band announced an upcoming US tour days before dropping their EP, Good Dog, Bad Dream, in early August of this year.
Good Dog, Bad Dream finds Hippo Campus at their most vulnerable, chaotic, playful, and deeply human. The EP is a slight departure from their typical sound that fans have previously come to love. Their sound has evolved with the band, who have been friends since high school, keeping their latest EP fresh, unique, and enjoyably unexpected. The band’s approach to production has changed from previous work, they went in to the studio with no clear objective other than to make good music. And they succeeded. With five tracks and a runtime of only 15 minutes, this EP is short and sweet.
The EP opens with “Bad Dream Baby”, the first single off the record, released in July. Instantly they have departed from their usual mellow sounds, leaning deeper into a pop-rock style. The song opens with punchy drums and a catchy guitar riff, making for an instantly dynamic and memorable track. The upbeat and almost bouncy sounds might distract you from the deeply vulnerable, yet witty, lyrics, but do yourself a favor and look them up while you listen. Singer Jake Luppen said that “the lyrics are a stream of consciousness” taking the listener on a journey through his process of coping with the death of his dog, his rocky relationship with his dad, thoughts on Britney Spears’ conservatorship, exiting the Church, and the isolation he’s felt during quarantine. The track is a strong one, and the most popular of the bunch, with over 3.5 million streams on Spotify, that both previous fans of the band and new listeners alike will find themselves hitting repeat on over and over.
“Deepfake” is up next, one of the more experimental songs on the EP. This song slips between sounds of pop-rock, lo-fi, and classic, lovable, indie cheesiness that creates a sense of chaos and looseness, perfectly matching the introspective and existential lyrics. One of it’s most distinctive lines, “Music sucks, people change, do as many drugs as you can”, caters towards the reckless nature of the track. The lyricism on this song is great, but the music itself leaves something to be desired compared to the high bar the rest of their discography has set.
Get ready for your latest earworm, the second single off the EP, “Sex Tape” is instantly addictive. This track is Hippo Campus’ combination of their old and new sound at its best. The song starts with a minimalistic guitar and pared-down vocals before jumping back into a more experimental nature, rotating between soft and floaty verses, bright auto-tuned vocals, and a instrumental build into a sweet horn solo.
“Where to Now” will cater more towards classic indie-rock lovers. Perfectly positioned on the EP, this track brings a different energy than the rest of the songs, making it a stand-out. The track starts with a simple, solid instrumental build of a haunting bassline, dynamic guitars, and punchy drums that progresses over the course of the song. The low-key vocals and repetitive nature of the lyrics along with the builds and riffs later in the song work together to give this track a nostalgic, cinematic quality that will stand the test of time.
The last track on the album, “Mojo Jojo”, named after the iconic Powerpuff Girls antagonist, is the track that takes the biggest turn from the band’s previous work, making it the most surprising and unique song on the album, just ask the screaming note that opens the track. The electronic-tuned vocals and frenzied beat lean slightly into Hyperpop territory, a bold direction for an indie-rock group that somehow still works, taking the listener on a musical rollercoaster.
This EP is solid. There are a few missteps and moments where the album lulls, but it comes with the territory of experimentation, especially after setting themselves such a high standard to live up to. Some fans have been disappointed with the turn Hippo Campus has taken, but I think it’s a welcome one. Experimenting with new sounds and song-creation processes will only create a stronger band and more confident, capable songwriters. Overall, the EP gets an 8/10 from me. Here’s to hoping Hippo Campus keeps experimenting with new sounds and creating great music.
