Prior to their new mini album today, Lucy unveiled their first single as a trio. Wakey Wakey was a cute, upbeat song but nothing that stood out within their discography. One would expect title track Hippo (하마) to go bigger and bolder than its pre-release, but the guys have delivered a somewhat understated comeback with a simple animated music video.
This song feels like Lucy just doing what they want, charts be damned. They know what they’re great at and they have a fan base dedicated to their considerable talent. I’d count myself among the ranks of that fan base, but it’s been awhile since a new Lucy song has hit me in the way their best work has. Hippo blends groovy verses with a sentimental chorus, distilling many of the modes Lucy operate best in. So, why isn’t it doing much for me? As usual, I think it all comes down to melody. The verses here feel more like riffing than a carefully constructed structure, while the heart of the song (its chorus) makes up a comparatively slight portion of the track. As always, Lucy sound fantastic. But when I’m in the mood to listen to their stuff, this would be quite low on the list.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5