Album review: Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies

Life has felt starkly contrasted for Nova Twins of late. Both within the band and their lives around it, there have been soaring highs, and challenging lows. While 2020’s Who Are The Girls? debut was an introduction to the two and 2022’s Supernova was a celebration of their power, Parasites & Butterflies is a pause for reflection that looks at the juggle of success and pressure.

The skill and musical innovation of Nova Twins is outstanding, and arguably not discussed enough. On their third studio release, Amy Love and Georgia South weave between outrageously distorted and serene soundscapes. Georgia’s bass tone, not only disgustingly good, is a storytelling tool: in one instance it’s slurring and drenched in gloopy, thick fuzz, and then in other pockets it snaps awake, crunchy and computerised, but alive like a robot driven on revenge.

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Amy experiments with classical operatic vocal wails on opener Glory, while elsewhere her vocals become like fight talk, are enunciated with the confident cries of the Supernova era. This approach is present within Soprano, which taps into the power of womanhood, and Drip, which takes ownership and pride in triumph and material reward. Towards the end, Hurricane and Black Roses act in dual as a conclusion, both summarising their strength, and opening up the portal to a new chapter. ‘Keep the pressure on, ’cause we ain’t going nowhere,’ sings Amy on the former.

They’re The Shining twins of the music world, always showing up both hand in hand, and exuding an aura that’s not to be reckoned with. Their power? A divine feminine energy that they’ll never be willing to sacrifice to make others comfortable, or to tough out the hard times. Parasites & Butterflies is another trip into the Nova world, mirroring rage, fear, swagger, and all in between.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Royal Blood, Bring Me The Horizon, Cassyette

Parasites & Butterflies is released on August 29 via Marshall

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