Described as “the smartest, most consistently evolving band in the history of rock”, and internationally acclaimed as pop pioneers, Sparks’ music has always been innovative and instantly identifiable. Recorded in Los Angeles, ‘Hippopotamus’ sees Sparks take the pop form, shake it up, and create an album that is adventurous, fresh and idiosyncratically ‘Sparks’.

The title track was tipped by The Guardian Guide, NME and Music Week and described by Mojo as “combining Dr Seuss whimsy, classical miniaturism and the archest humours – with an invitation to dance – Ron and Russell Mael return as only they can”. Playlisted on BBC Radio 6 Music and coinciding with the band’s stand out performance at the 6 Music Festival in Glasgow, the song was an intriguing introduction to the band’s first ‘regular’ studio album since 2008’s ‘Exotic Creatures of The Deep’.