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 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 17 June 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 30:53 | |||
Label | Marshall | |||
Producer |
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Nova Twins chronology | ||||
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Singles from Supernova | ||||
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Background
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
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
All lyrics are written by Amy Love; all music is composed by Amy Love and Georgia South
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Power (Intro)" | Nova Twins | 0:54 |
2. | "Antagonist" |
| 3:06 |
3. | "Cleopatra" |
| 3:30 |
4. | "K.M.B." |
| 3:15 |
5. | "Fire & Ice" |
| 2:53 |
6. | "Puzzles" |
| 2:42 |
7. | "A Dark Place for Somewhere Beautiful" |
| 3:33 |
8. | "Toolbox" |
| 2:34 |
9. | "Choose Your Fighter" |
| 2:15 |
10. | "Enemy" |
| 2:51 |
11. | "Sleep Paralysis" |
| 3:20 |
Total length: | 30:53 |
Personnel
Nova Twins
- Amy Love – guitar, lead vocals
- Georgia South – bass, backing vocals, drum programming
Additional personnel
- 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
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
- "Artist of the Month Nova Twins Are Here to Save the Day". Consequence. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). "Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed". NME. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- Linzinmeir, Taylor (2 February 2022). "Nova Twins announce new album 'Supernova,' release video for "K.M.B."". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Carter, Emily (2 February 2022). "Nova Twins drop new single K.M.B., announce second album Supernova". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Tipple, Ben (14 June 2022). "No Holds Barred: Nova Twins". DIY. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Bird, Katie (2022-06-14). "ALBUM REVIEW: Supernova - Nova Twins". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Park, Kelly (2022-06-17). "Nova Twins Break Down New Album Supernova Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- "Supernova Reviews". Metacritic. August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- Petridis, Alexis (2022-06-16). "Nova Twins: Supernova review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Shutler, Ali (2022-06-16). "Nova Twins – 'Supernova' review: more dynamic, more experimental (but still heavy as fuck)". NME. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Pope, Cervanté (2022-06-16). "Nova Twins Fight the Good Fight with the Genre-Bending Supernova: Review". Consequence. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Craig, Alison (2022-06-16). "Nova Twins – 'Supernova' reiew: a triumphant record from two of rock's most exciting talents". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Chatterton, Caitlin (15 June 2022). "Nova Twins' Supernova finds the duo continuing to burn bright". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- Kanowsky, Colleen (2022-06-15). "ALBUM REVIEW: Nova Twins - Supernova". Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2022.