It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a couple of years since London duo Nova Twins dropped their debut album. 2020’s ‘Who Are The Girls?’ was met with an exceptional reception and did wonders for the profiles of Amy Love (vocals and guitar) and Georgia South (bass). Sharing stages, studios and magazine covers with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Enter Shikari and Wolf Alice is no mean feat – it’s a testament to just how much Nova Twins are ascending in the UK’s scene. With their second album ‘Supernova’, the two-piece are back and loud as ever, eager to keep the revolution alive.
‘Supernova’ is introduced by the cacophonous ‘Power’, in which there is a disoriented feel before any sort of melody can be discerned. Starting on the front foot, this intro is a sign that the chaos is only just beginning. The saccharine melody of the “la la la”s in ‘Power’ is something of a red-herring, holding up a brief sickly sweet mirage that Nova Twins immediately destroy in ‘Antagonist’; the aptly named lead single is a bold and brash sonic collision of Love and South’s pent-up, post-lockdown energy. Speaking on the track, Love explains “We’re antagonising you because we’re here and we’re not going anywhere.” – this is an attitude that is at the core of this duo’s identity.
With unwavering confidence in everything they do, Nova Twins have stood up to any obstacle in their path, overcoming them with tremendous effect, all the while never compromising their integrity. ‘Cleopatra’ is a direct address of this, lyrics like “I’m the fucking queen” and “I’m a boss bitch” are explosive celebrations of Nova Twins’ pride in their persons and their backgrounds. As explained by Love, “This was about celebrating us as black women and coming back stronger”. In addition to the crucial meaning behind the track, it’s also a brilliant single complete with venomous rapped verses and a storming chorus that will have fans coming back to listen time and time again.
Genre is a concept that Nova Twins can be seen to simultaneously reject, and celebrate. The rejection occurs in the sense that they simply cannot be defined in terms of one genre themselves. Alongside this refusal of compartmentalisation comes a freedom to flout tropes and genericism, and it’s this space in which Nova Twins can celebrate the genres that have been formative for them as artists. Heavy to the core, fans of the broad rock umbrella will be more than satisfied when hearing this band – moreover, listeners will enjoy a taste of punk, rap, hip-hop, R&B and beyond.
The unending potential for experimentation and variety results in a multitude of champagne moments throughout this record. The breathless and feverish ‘Choose Your Fighter’ is destined for the biggest festival stages this country has to offer. ‘A Dark Place For Somewhere Beautiful’ is the moodiest track on the album and dips into melancholia while addressing the tragedies of love and loss. The dichromatic ‘Fire & Ice’ tackles what Love describes as the “light and shade in everything” which reminds us that even the sweetest tastes have their bitter opposite.
Aside from the fact that ‘Supernova’ sounds outstanding, the most important component that both old and new listeners will likely take away from this experience is an overwhelming sense of ownership. Nova Twins are masters of owning their image, and it’s a notion that permeates from their music directly into the tangible world, right down to the fact that they make their own clothes. With unflinching and aggressive energy, their music shatters barriers to noisily promote a message of comfort, inclusion and pride. That’s why ‘Supernova’ is so great, and that’s why Nova Twins are one of the most important bands on the planet right now.
AARON JACKSON