"Ice Slippin" is a song by American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. It was released on 25 August 2023 through Warner Records. The song was inspired by Apollo's experience of coming out to his family.
| "Ice Slippin" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Omar Apollo | ||||
| from the album Live for Me EP | ||||
| Released | August 26, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Synth-pop | |||
| Length | 4:15 | |||
| Label | Warner | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Teo Halm, Omar Velasco | |||
| Producer(s) | Teo Halm, Omar Velasco | |||
| Omar Apollo singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
edit"Ice Slippin" was Apollo's second single of 2023 and the first track from his EP Live For Me. Apollo first teased the song in May 2023, posting a snippet to his social media. Apollo explained that the song is about "reliving the thoughts I had passing through my mind the winter I came out to my family, receiving cold judgment as opposed to the acceptance I felt I deserved. This song is a reflection and reaction of all the emotions I had to face before and after I decided to leave the icy streets of Indiana."[1]
Before the song's release, "Ice Slippin" was promoted with three life-size ice sculptures of Apollo, located in Los Angeles, New York and London.[2]
The song was written and produced by Apollo and his frequent collaborator Teo Halm.[3]
Music video
editThe New York duo Rubberband directed the song's music video. The video represents the "final millisecond of one's life", showing Apollo in an icy environment, cut with photos and home videos of his family and younger years.[4]
The music video was short-listed for Best Music Video at the 2023 Ciclope Festival Awards.[5]
Critical reception
editSuzy Exposito of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "the song and video paint an evocative portrait of a young gay man who is pushed to make an impossible choice: to live as his most authentic self or to be part of a family he loves dearly."[6] Robin Murray of Clash said, "Omar has a way with words that taps straight to the heart".[7] Joshua Donovan of DNA noted, "His lyrics read like a reflective journal entry but also like a form of catharsis".[8]
Accolades
editYear-end lists
edit| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2023: Staff Picks | Unranked | |
| i-D | The 100 best songs of 2023 | 95
|
|
| Out | 30 Best Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists of 2023 | 16
|
|
| Them | Our 23 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2023 | Unranked | |
| Time | The Best Latin Songs and Albums of 2023 | Unranked |
References
edit- ^ Gonzelez, Alex (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Recalls A Formative Life Experience On His New Single, 'Ice Slippin'". Uproxx. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Omar Apollo Drops New Track "Ice Slippin," Announces 'Live for Me' EP". Hypebeast. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Leaves Home in Search of Healing on New Single 'Ice Slippin'". RollingStone. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Omar Apollo 'Ice Slippin'' by rubberband". Promonews. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "CICLOPE Festival announces its 2023 Shortlist". Ciclope Festival. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Column: Why Omar Apollo's coming-out story matters". Los Angeles Times. September 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Amplifies His Skills On 'Ice Slippin'". Clash. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Donovan, Joshua (5 September 2023). "Omar Apollo Reveals Emotional Coming-Out Journey In Music Vid For "Ice Slippin"". DNA. DNA Magazine. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2023: Staff Picks". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "The 100 best songs of 2023". i-D. Vice Media Group. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Rude, Mey. "The 30 Best Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists of 2023, Ranked". Out. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Our 23 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2023". Them. Condé Nast. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Mendez II, Moises (19 December 2023). "The Best Latin Songs and Albums of 2023". Time. TIME USA, LLC. Retrieved 19 December 2023.