NOVA TWINS - 'Parasites & Butterflies' Album Review

Sean Friswell
Aug 27
2 min read

Tracklist:

Glory
Piranha
Monsters
Soprano
Drip
N.O.V.A
Sandman
Hummingbird
Parallel Universe
Hide & Seek
Hurricane
Black Roses

Nova Twins rise has been meteoric, music press covers, awards, a highly successful first album, countless festival appearances and support from such diverse musicians as Tom Morrell and Elton John. Add in a Mercury Prize nomination, the first black rock to achieve that and you get the feeling this album could be a big deal.

When they came to write and record it the band are happy to admit they felt some pressure, you would have to be in a very self-involved world not to!

Firstly, they haven’t lost their edge, their acoustic folk album this is not! Its raw, its challenging, at times it feels chaotic.

It’s a mix of rock, electronica, hip hop and a punk attitude all wrapped up in a touch of endearing madness, rage, angst, mental health, joy and light are all dragged into the Nova Twins world and explored, it’s definitely not the album you ask to put on at Christmas in front of your grandparents unless they were punks and hard core metalheads themselves!

Its relentless but in a good way, they don’t let up, they take no mercy but then why should they? Taking this approach worked well for them on the first album and it is taken to a new level here, the guitars are loud, the lyrics uncompromising, the percussion might hurt some ears live, its nothing short of outstanding.

They are highly adept at changing gears as they prove on a number of occasions, but they also do it all within their own terms. I honestly don’t think there is another band out there that sounds like Nova Twins.

Guess what? They are touring this album (and hopefully some of the last one) this year. If you haven’t got your tickets yet and there are some left this is one live act, you don’t want to miss! This album is going to sound immense when they play it. Hints of so many that have gone before them come through, but the overall effect is of a band who have been influenced by so many different genres and artists but have created something all their own. I know I’ve said it before but the word chaotic does so adequately describe this album but in a very positive way, it’s like a melting pot of music that has ultimately created something special, something unique, something to go absolutely insane to, whether that’s playing the vinyl or watching them play it live, seriously buy a ticket, you won’t regret it.

Standout tracks? I think that’s going to be very personal to everyone who listens to this, personally 'Monsters' and 'N.O.V.A.' are currently top of my list but am I right? No idea! I loved the first album and was a bit nervous for this one, I’m happy to hold my hands up and say I shouldn’t have been.

Nova Twins, to paraphrase John McLane, if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem, quit being part of the problem and embrace the world they have created, you won’t regret it! You will learn to embrace it, and you may never want to leave!