Thanks to the great outdoors

Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley of DRINKS are back to share more of their life experience with their sophomore album, Hippo Lite. The album, coming from Drag City Records, was named after Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, an area in Southern France where the two spent time relaxing, swimming and disconnected from the outside world. Both alternative gurus took a new position when recording their second album, and they made it clear this album is from a point of complete blissful isolation.

DRINKS first album, Hermits on Holiday, which was released in 2015, came with great surprise. Both artists had previous experience in other indie bands and their own solo work that their collaborated first album sounded completely new. Their psychedelic past helped the two individuals come together fluently. The same could be said about Hippo Lite. The band’s second album is 12 tracks of their experiences in a completely new world.

Each track on the album will leave its listener confused and wondering what might come next. Rhythmic guitar and synchronized beats are heard but almost forgotten when the sounds of crying babies and ribbiting frogs come into focus. The “Real Outside” takes a clear look at what it might be like if we as humans put our cellphones down for one moment. The groovy melody creates a vision of whimsy. “Corner Shops” mixes classic piano with Le Bon’s vocals creating a typical indie foot tapper. “Greasing Up” is a great example of a tried and true folk song sang with complete content. The song comes at the peak of the album and truly demonstrates how Le Bon and Presley gave their second go-around immense attention.

Both Le Bon and Presley got in touch with their inner-self in the making of the album and came out feeling more in touch, not only with their surroundings but with each other. Hippo Lite probably won’t change the music scene or even make a notable mark on the music charts, but it is a great testament to getting to know your surroundings and being able to vibe with our counterparts.