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Hippo Campus announce third album ‘LP3’ with new track ‘Boys’


The beloved indie group announce their third album with a new single


Photo: Tonje Thilesen

Minnesota-based indie group Hippo Campus have released their latest single Boys, alongside the announcement of their third studio album: LP3. This will be their newest project since the Good Dog, Bad Dream EP released earlier this year and their 2019 sophomore album Bambi

Accompanied by the simultaneous release of an official music video and a spot on BBC Radio’s Power Play, the single was given quite the rollout. Boys is an electrifying indie rock number that sees the band tap back into their Bambi style.

Beginning with a minimalist style that is spearheaded by lead singer and guitarist Jake Luppen’s vocals, it’s not too long before guitars, drums, and bass comes in like a lightning strike. The song picks up from there with snide lyrics (such as: “Take off my shirt at your girlfriend’s party / What’s it to ya? / Nobody cares about your music / We see right through this”) in its verses and a catchy chorus that’s quite an earworm.

New York life may be drab; nevertheless, Hippo Campus make it sound fun with their indie, cruising-through-the-city late at night vibes. The final rounds of the chorus take the existing energy up another notch with amplified synths, silky electric guitar riffs, and pounding kickdrums. As the song ends, it fades almost as if unravelling a layer at a time back down to its roots as the chorus loops into nothingness. It’s the musical come-down from the high, and it sounds astonishing. 

Boys serves as the introduction to what LP3 could potentially bring to the table and establishes it as the start of a new era for the band. Hippo Campus have given fans and casual listeners alike something to look forward to. While it may have a sound that is reminiscent of their older material, it has the freshness of their previous EP in its spirit. Hippo Campus have a knack for making music that sounds stellar; Boys is no different.

EP3 is released on the 4th of February, 2022.