Shout Out Louds and the “Blue Ice” Record: The Coolest Vinyl Release in Indie Pop History

When Swedish indie pop darlings Shout Out Louds released their single “Blue Ice” back in 2012, they didn’t just drop another record-they froze one. Literally. In a promotional stunt that blurred the line between art, music, and science experiment, the band sent out a limited-edition DIY ice record kit to ten lucky fans and members of the press. The result? A fleeting, frozen masterpiece that melted as beautifully as the band’s nostalgic melodies.

A Record You Could Freeze and Play

The “Blue Ice” project was as inventive as it was ephemeral. Each kit came with a silicone mould and a bottle of distilled water. Recipients were invited to pour the water into the mould, freeze it, and-once solid-carefully place their homemade 7-inch ice record onto a turntable.

The record was fully playable, though only for a short while. As it spun, the Blue Ice single from the band’s album Optica filled the air-until, inevitably, the record began to melt. The sound quality was imperfect, the lifespan fleeting, but the experience? Utterly unforgettable.

With only ten kits ever made, Blue Ice remains one of the rarest and most imaginative music promotions ever conceived-a symbol of how Shout Out Louds approach creativity with both heart and humour.

From Stockholm to the World

Formed in Stockholm in the early 2000s by childhood friends Adam Olenius (vocals), Ted Malmros (bass), and Carl von Arbin (guitar), the band quickly grew into a five-piece with the addition of Eric Edman (drums) and Bebban Stenborg (keyboards). Signed early on by Bud Fox Recordings, and later Capitol Records, Shout Out Louds built a loyal international following with their blend of wistful indie pop and 1980s-inspired hooks.

Their early sound carried the charm of Scandinavian melancholy, wrapped in upbeat rhythms and shimmering guitar work. Over time, their music evolved-becoming more textured, more cinematic-culminating in albums like Optica, which showcased a band confident in both experimentation and melody.

“Blue Ice”: A Metaphor in Motion

Beyond its novelty, the Blue Ice record captured something deeply poetic. Much like the fleeting emotions in Shout Out Louds’ songs, the record wasn’t meant to last. It played, it melted, and it was gone-leaving behind only memories and the lingering echo of the band’s bittersweet sound.

This impermanence perfectly reflected the song’s tone and the band’s knack for turning nostalgia into something tangible. In an era increasingly dominated by digital music, Blue Ice was a refreshingly tactile-and fragile-reminder of how physical music can still move us.

A Legacy That Still Shines Cold

More than a decade later, the Blue Ice kit has become a cult collector’s item, celebrated by music lovers and design enthusiasts alike. It remains a testament to Shout Out Louds’ ability to fuse creativity, concept, and emotion into everything they do.

For a band that has always thrived on contrast—between light and dark, warmth and chill-this frozen single was the ultimate expression of their artistic identity. Blue Ice may have melted away, but its legend remains perfectly preserved in indie pop history.

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