To mark his 70th birthday, Marillion frontman, Steve Hogarth, is releasing a special edition of his album, Ice Cream Genius. Originally arriving in 1997, the record was Hogarth’s first solo studio work. The new version, due July 24th, via earMUSIC records, comes with a Blu-ray Mediabook, and the previously unreleased track, “The Last Thing.” Read more below.
Pre-order Ice Cream Genius here: https://stevehogarth.lnk.to/IceCreamGenius2026PR
Ice Cream Genius was never intended as an extension of Marillion. Built around minimal arrangements, spoken-word passages, and unfiltered lyrical moments, the album explores identity, isolation and creativity with striking directness. Its strength lies not in scale, but in its vulnerability: A record that feels exposed, unusual and unmistakably human.
At the center of the reissue is the 3CD+Blu-ray Mediabook, the most expansive presentation of Ice Cream Genius ever assembled. Featuring more than 11 hours of material, the vast majority previously unreleased, this edition opens up the full creative world behind the album including all available live videos of the much-acclaimed “h Band” upscaled and remixed by the artist.
Complementing the Mediabook, Ice Cream Genius will also be released for the first time on vinyl as a heavyweight black 2LP gatefold edition. This format includes “The Last Thing,” a track previously unavailable on physical formats in Europe, making it a notable addition for collectors.
Recorded at the Racket Club, with vocals added at Chris Rea‘s Sol Mill Studios in Cookham and mixed at Van Morrison‘s Wool Hall Studios in Somerset, the album was completed on July 20, 1996, following a break during Marillion’s Made Again tour. The core band was handpicked from “the last people on earth anyone might have expected me to work with” and includes members of Blondie, XTC, Japan, and Eurythmics.
The title itself originated from producer Craig Leon, who would exclaim, “I scream genius!” in the studio when particularly inspired, a phrase Hogarth later transformed into the album’s distinctive name.
Across demos, writing sessions, studio recordings and live material, the set traces the evolution of Ice Cream Genius from its earliest sketches through to the finished record. Alongside the music, new reflections from Steve Hogarth provide personal insight into the ideas, emotions and circumstances that shaped the album, offering a rare, in-depth look at one of his most intimate and uncompromising projects.
Formats:
—3CD+Blu-ray
—2LP Gatefold (180g
—Digital
Ice Cream Genius tracklisting:
01 The Evening Shadows
02 Really Like
03 You Dinosaur Thing
04 The Deep Water
05 Cage
06 Until You Fall
07 Better Dreams
08 Nothing To Declare
09 The Last Thing
CD 2: Live at Dingwalls 2000
CD 3: Live at Dingwalls 2000
Blu-ray video content:
Ice Cream Genius Documentary (45min)
“You Dinosaur Thing” (Promo video)
“You Dinosaur Thing” (Behind the scenes)
The H Band live at Paradiso, Amsterdam 9/13/02 (130min)
Follow Steve Hogarth:
https://www.stevehogarth.info/