Tarzan Reject EP

Released in late 2013, Tarzan Reject is the debut EP from Hippo Campus, serving as the foundational blueprint for their career. Recorded while the members were still in the early stages of their musical development in Minnesota, the EP captures a bridge between the math-rock complexity of their high school bands and the indie-pop sensibilities that would bring them national acclaim. Unlike their breakthrough 'Bashful Creatures,' this release features a more aggressive, unpolished production style. Tracks like 'St. Paul Roofs' became local anthems, grounding the band in a specific Midwestern geography. The EP is characterized by its dual-guitar attack - clean, percussive, and highly melodic - and the early integration of jazz-influenced drumming. While it remains a cult favorite among long-term fans, it stands as a distinct era of the band's sound that is significantly more 'rock' oriented than their later synth-heavy or chamber-pop explorations.