Hippo Campus are back with stunning new track Bambi, news on their forthcoming new record and UK tour dates.

The St. Paul, Minnesota-bred outfit Hippo Campus have confirmed details of their sophomore album, Bambi, which will be released on September 28th via Transgressive Records.

Cultivating self-awareness with a deep introspection, Hippo Campus tackle mental health issues on their new single Bambi. Although, the track sees the band explore darker sonic terrain, it still soars on euphoric beat and Jake Luppen’s warm vocals showing true growth in their songwriting. Typical for the band juxtaposition of joyous soundscape with a heavier lyrical content is a mirror to the human fragility and the emotional experiences they go through. It is a real beauty.

Bambi was also shaped by cultural shifts, including the #MeToo Movement as Jake Luppen explains:

That really made us take a look at how toxic masculinity has influenced the way we see ourselves and the world overall. In the past we might have been apprehensive about being super-vulnerable, but now we’re more aware of how important it is to come forward about dealing with depression or anxiety. Because if more men are able to do that, they might be less likely to express those feelings as anger or violence.

Partly recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio in Chicago, Bambi finds Hippo Campus working again with producer BJ Burton (Bon Iver, Low, Francis and the Lights), who handled production on their 2017 full-length debut landmark.

Reflecting on the chaos of current times, Nathan Stocker says:

The only thing I’m sure about with this album is how unsure it is. I want people to feel as confused as we are about everything, because confusion can be an interesting thing. When you don’t totally understand what’s going on, you never stop thinking and questioning and trying to figure things out for yourself. I think a lot of good can come from that.

Zach Sutton adds in:

I’ve always considered the responsibility of art to be representing your specific experience. We’re saying, ‘This is what I’m doing now, this what I’m living like.’ It’s about sharing what you’re going through, so maybe someone else will feel less lonely.

Hippo Campus will return next year for a full UK and European tour, including a night at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on February 21st.

February

14 – Manchester, 02 Ritz

15 – Glasgow, The Garage

16 – Newcastle, The Riverside

18 – Birmingham, Institute

19 – Dublin, Dublin Academy Green Room

21 – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

23 – Bristol, SWX

24 – Brighton, Concorde 2