Themes of friendship and camaraderie are peppered throughout Shout Out Louds’ new full-length Ease My Mind, out this Friday, and “Paola” might be its most direct statement. As stated in an interview with Noisey, lead singer/guitarist Adam Olenius wrote it for his bandmate Bebban Stenborg. 

Stenborg reveals more:

Everyone knows me as Bebban, but here it is: my real name is Paola. That’s what my passport says. But the only one who has ever called me Paola is [Shout Out Louds bassist] Ted Malmros’ dad, so it’s kind of been like a secret identity.

To be honest, I think “Paola” is a love letter of sorts. Not just to me, personally, but to the friendship we all have had since long before the band. Although, I DID come across an interview where Adam says he doesn’t think I know how much it’s about me. But I do. No one else in the band has dark circles under their eyes or is lame enough to hold up a lighter at a concert. 

So, thank you, Adam, for blowing my cover. I love you, too.

Buddy up with new music videos from Ease My Mind’s “Oh Oh,” “Jumbo Jet,” and “Porcelain,” then pre-order the album on CD or limited-edition white vinyl (with flexi disc option) in the Merge store, or via your preferred digital music provider. We’ve also created an “Introduction to Shout Out Louds” playlist on Spotify for those keen to listen to more pop gems from the Stockholm band’s career!

Shout Out Louds will soon be touring North America for the first time in years and tickets are moving fast, so find the show nearest you and purchase yours today! Keep up with Shout Out Louds’ antics on Facebook and Instagram, too.

Shout Out Louds on tour:
Oct 04 Vienna, AT – Wuk
Oct 05 Graz, AT – PPC
Oct 06 Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse
Oct 07 Winterthur, CH – Salzhaus
Oct 09 Munich, DE – Muffathalle
Oct 10 Erlangen, DE – E-werk
Oct 11 Leipzig, DE – Täubchenthal
Oct 12 Cologne, DE – Live Music Hall
Oct 13 Hamburg, DE – Uebel & Gefährlich
Oct 14 Berlin, DE – Astra Kulturhaus
Oct 25 Malmö, SE – Kulturbolaget
Oct 26 Göteborg, SE – Pustervik
Oct 27 Stockholm, SE – Vasateatern