Nova Twins: Parasites & Butterflies
Nova Twins have exploded onto the scene in recent years, establishing themselves as one of the alternative scene’s most exciting and fast-rising acts. As they return with their third studio record ‘Parasites and Butterflies’ it is clear they have cemented that place. The album shows how the duo have mastered their signature sound, whilst they are also taking a step forward as Nova Twins seamlessly blend a number of genres throughout the record. The album is packed with filthy riffs and rebellious energy, whilst also being the most accessible Nova Twins release to date.
Such a fierce album requires a powerful opener, and ‘Glory’ is exactly that. The fade in at the start is a great touch, before the addictive beat of the track kicks in. The track feels reminiscent of early 00s powerhouses such as P!nk, blended with the edge of modern alt artists such as Cassyette and Yonaka. Lead vocalist Amy Love wastes no time showcasing her unreal vocal range, whilst Georgia South delivers the most satisfying, gritty riffs that set the tone for the album. This is continued on ‘Piranha’, a slightly more playful track with an absolute earworm of a chorus guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days! The bass somehow hits even harder on this one, and had me hooked right from the very first listen.
Previous Nova Twins records have leaned heavily towards themes of empowerment and confidence, ‘Parasites and Butterflies’ shows a different side to the duo, there are a wider range of emotions shown throughout the record. This also shows how the pair have matured as musicians and writers. As explained by Amy Love “Our previous album was a lot more like we’re superhuman, Supernova, and this one we wanted to make sure we addressed all the emotions as we are human, and I think it’s important that people know that it’s ok to show that vulnerability”. The perfect example of this is ‘Monsters’. Lyrics such as “I’m not afraid of monsters, but I’m afraid of myself” and “I can’t find peace, sometimes I hate this realm, I’d like to think that I could be somebody else” perfectly showcase that raw vulnerability, whilst the poppy, synth-heavy track keeps the energy high in true Nova Twins fashion. It’s easy to see why this track was the lead single from the album.
Amy Love’s versatility as a vocalist is next level, it seems there is nothing she can’t do! The album’s early songs showcase her stunning commanding vocals, whilst cuts such as ‘Soprano’ and ‘Drip’ highlight her impressive rapping skills. ‘Drip’ in particular was a standout moment. A drum and bass-inspired piece was not what I expected after hearing the earlier tracks, but it fits perfectly. If anything, it just proves that we will never know Nova Twins’ next move! The song is completely full throttle, max energy, and you can’t stay still when listening to this one.
‘N.O.V.A’ truly lives up to its name, it is the most signature Nova Twins track the duo could have possibly released, so it’s only fitting that they named it after themselves. This is the standout track of the album, the ultimate confidence anthem. It’s powerful, it’s sassy, it has everything from catchy riffs to a fun call and response style chorus that is guaranteed to go off live. It is the kind of song you blast in your headphones as you strut in your favourite outfit. I could honestly go on all day about this one, I have had it on repeat ever since it dropped and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon! As ‘Sandman’ follows on from this, the energy is kept high with another drum and bass sounding track that will have you not knowing whether you want to rave or open up a mosh pit!
‘Hummingbird’ is a rare moment where Nova Twins slow things down a bit, allowing Amy’s stunning vocal range to shine, the track talks of longing and missing somebody and wondering whether they think of you too, an experience I’m sure will resonate with many listeners. The instrumental towards the end is so powerful and filled with emotion before the track gently fades out.
As the album draws to a close, ‘Hurricane’ brings the energy right back up again, it has a similar feel to ‘Funhouse’ era P!nk, in the best way, whilst still having a modern alternative twist to it that is uniquely Nova Twins. The lyrics “Keep the pressure on, ‘cause we ain’t going nowhere” feels like a perfect way to begin closing out the album. This would’ve made a great final track.
‘Black Rose’ doesn’t feel too much like a closing track, but has absolutely earned its place on the album! The filthy bass tone paired with some stunning harmonies make this a powerful track in its own right, but it does leave the album feeling a little unfinished. Maybe this was the duo’s way of hinting that they aren’t done just yet, especially with the “We ain’t going nowhere” line of the previous track!
‘Parasites and Butterflies’ is an incredible listen from start to finish, it leaves you feeling empowered whilst also knowing it is ok to not always feel ok. Nova Twins have been a force in the alternative scene from the very start, but right now they are only climbing higher and show no signs of coming down at all! Their September tour is going to be something truly special and I can’t wait to hear the tracks from this record live!