Supernova (Nova Twins album)

Supernova is the second full-length album by British rock duo Nova Twins, released 17 June 2022 by Marshall Records. The album peaked at No. 14[2] and No. 27 on the Scottish and UK album charts, respectively, and was nominated for the 2022 Mercury Prize.[3]

Supernova
Studio album by
Released17 June 2022 (2022-06-17)
Genre
Length30:53
LabelMarshall
Producer
Nova Twins chronology
Who Are the Girls?
(2020)
Supernova
(2022)
Singles from Supernova
  1. "Antagonist"
    Released: 27 October 2021
  2. "K.M.B."
    Released: 2 February 2022
  3. "Cleopatra"
    Released: 16 March 2022
  4. "Puzzles"
    Released: 11 May 2022
  5. "Choose Your Fighter"
    Released: 13 June 2022

Background edit

The album's impending release was announced in February 2022, with the songs "Antagonist", "K.M.B.", "Cleopatra", "Puzzles" and "Choose Your Fighter" issued as singles to preview the album.[4][5] The album's lyrics are inspired by Nova Twins' experiences playing live before increasingly diverse audiences, after a long layoff from touring during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was particularly challenging because their previous album Who Are the Girls? was beginning to attract critical notice just before the onset of the pandemic.[6][7] The album is also inspired by the racial justice developments of the period.[8] As described by the band: "making this album became our medicine through a turbulent time. It’s a reflection of where we were and how far we have come, encased in a fantasy world that we imagined."[4]

Critical reception edit

The album received critical acclaim upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, it received an average score of 92, based on 10 reviews indicating "Universal acclaim".[9] The Guardian praised the album's "sharp, concise songwriting [that] makes for a mindblowing blast of distorted noise-pop – and destroys the narrative about who gets to make rock music."[10] Many reviewers noted the Nova Twins' blending of disparate genres, with Distorted Sound proclaiming that the album "show[s] that genre is worthless."[7] NME called the album "More dynamic, more experimental and with far more range than what’s come before."[11] Consequence reached a similar conclusion, stating that "Nova Twins bend and blend genres like alchemists, generating a sound specific to them and the undertones of their social movement."[12]

The Forty Five called the album "a triumph" that "should make Nova Twins an unignorable force from hereon in."[13] The Line of Best Fit praised the band for "marry[ing] politically charged lyricism with a searing amalgamation of genres, producing an album that practically begs to be experienced in a full-throttle live setting."[14] In its review of the album, Ghost Cult magazine concluded that "Nova Twins are rising as torchbearers for the future of rock music, flawlessly executing elements no one would've ever expected to hear from the style ten years ago."[15]

Track listing edit

All lyrics are written by Amy Love; all music is composed by Amy Love and Georgia South

Supernova track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Power (Intro)"Nova Twins0:54
2."Antagonist"
3:06
3."Cleopatra"
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
3:30
4."K.M.B."
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
3:15
5."Fire & Ice"
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
2:53
6."Puzzles"
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
2:42
7."A Dark Place for Somewhere Beautiful"
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
3:33
8."Toolbox"
  • Nova Twins
  • Romesh Dodangoda
2:34
9."Choose Your Fighter"
  • Nova Twins
  • Dodangoda
2:15
10."Enemy"
  • Nova Twins
  • Dodangoda
2:51
11."Sleep Paralysis"
  • Nova Twins
  • Abbiss
3:20
Total length:30:53

Personnel edit

Nova Twins edit

  • Amy Love – guitar, lead vocals
  • Georgia South – bass, backing vocals, drum programming

Additional personnel edit

  • Jake Woodward – drums (tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, 11)
  • George MacDonald – drums (tracks 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)
  • Gerard Roberts – additional drum programming (tracks 3, 4, 5)
  • Romesh Dodangoda – additional programming (tracks 8, 9, 10)

Charts edit

Chart performance for Supernova
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[2] 13
UK Albums (OCC)[16] 27
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[17] 2
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[18] 1

References edit

  1. ^ "Artist of the Month Nova Twins Are Here to Save the Day". Consequence. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  3. ^ Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). "Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed". NME. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Linzinmeir, Taylor (2 February 2022). "Nova Twins announce new album 'Supernova,' release video for "K.M.B."". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  5. ^ Carter, Emily (2 February 2022). "Nova Twins drop new single K.M.B., announce second album Supernova". Kerrang!. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  6. ^ Tipple, Ben (14 June 2022). "No Holds Barred: Nova Twins". DIY. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b Bird, Katie (14 June 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Supernova - Nova Twins". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  8. ^ Park, Kelly (17 June 2022). "Nova Twins Break Down New Album Supernova Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Supernova Reviews". Metacritic. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  10. ^ Petridis, Alexis (16 June 2022). "Nova Twins: Supernova review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  11. ^ Shutler, Ali (16 June 2022). "Nova Twins – 'Supernova' review: more dynamic, more experimental (but still heavy as fuck)". NME. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  12. ^ Pope, Cervanté (16 June 2022). "Nova Twins Fight the Good Fight with the Genre-Bending Supernova: Review". Consequence. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  13. ^ Craig, Alison (16 June 2022). "Nova Twins – 'Supernova' review: a triumphant record from two of rock's most exciting talents". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  14. ^ Chatterton, Caitlin (15 June 2022). "Nova Twins' Supernova finds the duo continuing to burn bright". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  15. ^ Kanowsky, Colleen (15 June 2022). "Album Review: Nova Twins - Supernova". Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  18. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.