Nova Twins Parasites & Butterflies
Nova Twins's Parasites & Butterflies arrives as a bracing, genre-smudged statement that trades subtlety for anthemic force - critics largely agree the record succeeds when it marries bruising distortion with moments of restraint. Across five professional reviews the album earned a 72/100 consensus score, with reviewers repeatedly pointing to bold genre-blending, nu-metal and hip-hop influences, and an urgent focus on female empowerment and mental-health introspection.
Reviewers consistently name several standout tracks as proof points: “Soprano” and “Glory” emerge as flagship moments, while “Hummingbird”, “Drip” and “Black Roses” are frequently praised for combining pop accessibility with muscular fuzz. Critics from The Guardian and PopMatters highlight “Hummingbird” as one of the album's restrained high points, whereas DIY and Kerrang! applaud opener “Glory” and the electro-industrial daring of “Soprano”. Clash and PopMatters point to politically charged cuts like “Piranha” and the live-ready immediacy of “Drip” as central to the record's impact.
The critical consensus frames Parasites & Butterflies as an evolutionary step for the duo - an unapologetic exploration of sound that sometimes sacrifices melodic clarity to sustain its assault. Some reviewers note repetition and a tendency to let distortion obscure hooks, creating a mixed but largely favorable portrait: the album's highs are described as essential and electrifying, its lapses as forgivable given the ambition. For readers asking whether Parasites & Butterflies is worth exploring, the aggregated reviews suggest a rewarding, occasionally raw listen that cements Nova Twins' role in contemporary UK rock and broadens their adventurous reach.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Glory
4 mentions
"Amy experiments with classical operatic vocal wails on opener Glory"— Kerrang!
Soprano
5 mentions
"Soprano playfully flirts with sugary harmonies and semi-operatic pop."— The Guardian
Black Roses (duplicate mention)
1 mention
"Towards the end, Hurricane and Black Roses act in dual as a conclusion"— Kerrang!
Amy experiments with classical operatic vocal wails on opener Glory
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Glory
Piranha
Monsters
Soprano
Drip
N.O.V.A
Sandman
Hummingbird
Parallel Universe
Hide & Seek
Hurricane
Black Roses
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
In a bruising, loud read of Parasites & Butterflies Nova Twins lean into hip-hop attitude and nu-metal muscle, and the best songs - notably “Monsters” and “N.O.V.A” - show why. “Monsters” is the record's catchiest, confessional peak, while “N.O.V.A” is a self-aggrandizing midpoint that sticks with its grimy rock-rap swagger. The one restrained gem, “Hummingbird”, proves they can create space and mood when volume is dialed back. The album rewards repeated listens, but the relentless wall of distortion often buries otherwise clever hooks and production.
Key Points
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“Monsters” is the standout because it pairs confessional lyrics with a huge, memorable chorus and distorted breakdown.
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The album’s core strengths are its fearless genre-mixing and vocal inventiveness, though excessive loudness often obscures detail.
Themes
Critic's Take
In his brisk, admiring tone Dave Simpson celebrates Nova Twins on Parasites & Butterflies, arguing the best songs - notably “Monsters” and “Hummingbird” - crystallize their leap into bigger, anthemic territory while keeping the band’s fierce hybrid of rock, metal, punk and hip-hop. He writes with fan-aware clarity, noting how “Monsters” still carries the attitude that felled naysayers yet adds vulnerability, and how “Hummingbird” is a kaleidoscopic collage that sums up their spirit of adventure. The narrative frames these tracks as the album’s standout moments and answers searches for the best tracks on Parasites & Butterflies by pointing to those anthemic, adventurous highlights.
Key Points
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Hummingbird is best because its kaleidoscopic, adventurous production encapsulates the band’s exploratory spirit.
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The album’s core strengths are anthemic songwriting, genre-hybrid ferocity, and newfound pop accessibility balanced with introspection.
Themes
Critic's Take
Nova Twins return on Parasites & Butterflies as restless explorers, and the best tracks reveal that risk-taking. The opener “Glory” charges forward as an adventurous statement, while “Soprano” is a gleaming electro-industrial standout that feels like a true reward. Elsewhere the duo’s bold experiments pay off most clearly on “Parallel Universe” and “Sandman”, though repetition in songs like “Piranha” and “Drip” dulls some momentum. Overall the record’s highs make a compelling case for the best tracks on Parasites & Butterflies, even if the album sometimes circles familiar territory.
Key Points
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‘Soprano’ stands out as the album's most daring and successful experiment, labeled a standout electro-industrial rap number.
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The album’s core strength is its bold genre-blending and exploratory energy, though repetition undercuts parts of the record.
Themes
Critic's Take
Nova Twins pause and reflect on Parasites & Butterflies, a record that balances outrageously distorted sound with quieter, reflective pockets. The review highlights opener “Glory” for Amy Love's operatic vocal experiments and points to “Soprano” and “Drip” as tracks tapping into womanhood and triumph. Towards the end the pairing of “Hurricane” and “Black Roses” is presented as a powerful summation and doorway to what comes next. Overall the best tracks on Parasites & Butterflies are framed as those that marry muscular fuzz and vocal daring, with “Glory”, “Drip” and “Hurricane” singled out for praise.
Key Points
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The best song is best because it showcases Amy Love's vocal experimentation and the band's textural contrast.
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The album's core strengths are its blend of distorted and serene soundscapes and confident, empowered vocal delivery.
Themes
Critic's Take
Nova Twins arrive on Parasites & Butterflies with a brash collision of rock and electronics, and the best songs - notably “Piranha” and “Drip” - showcase the record's power and purpose. Vicky Greer writes with the same punchy admiration that runs through the review, praising “Piranha” as the album's most overtly political moment while celebrating “Drip” as intoxicating, empowering and destined for live carnage. At its strongest the album balances venom and vulnerability, with opener “Glory” and closer “Black Roses” framing a set that is thrilling even when some tracks, like “Monsters” and “Hurricane”, do not fully land. The result is a stellar, vital outing that cements the duo's place in contemporary UK rock.
Key Points
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“Piranha” is best for its political bite and relentless instrumentation, marking the album's most striking moment.
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The album's core strengths are its fearless blend of rock and electronics and its themes of confidence and contrast.