| Who Are the Girls? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Nova Twins | ||||
| Released | 28 February 2020 (2020-02-28) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 30:22 | |||
| Label | 333 Wreckords Crew | |||
| Producer | Jim Abbiss | |||
| Nova Twins chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Who Are the Girls? | ||||
| ||||
Who Are the Girls? is the debut studio album by British rock duo Nova Twins, released 28 February 2020 by 333 Wreckords Crew.
Background
The album is the group's first release with 333 Wreckords Crew, with which they signed in December 2019. It has been noted for its similarities to Enter Shikari and The Prodigy, but with elements of arena rock and nu-metal. The British music press has coined the term "grime punk" to describe the album's sound. The album was entirely recorded with live instruments, including extensive use of guitar and bass pedals, with no samples or synthesizers.
The album's title is a reference to the experiences of Amy Love and Georgia South as black women attending rock concerts. In the years before the album's release, Nova Twins had been noted for their performances at British rock music festivals, in which most of the other participants were white males.
The duo stated to Kerrang! that the album is "dedicated to all the people who are beautifully diverse and creating their own lanes. It’s a celebration of those who feel like they don’t fit in! The title is ironic, as there is little representation of diversity at the shows we play and there wasn’t any to see when we were growing up."
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 81/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10 |
| DIY |    |
| Distorted Sound | 10/10 |
| Dork | |
| Kerrang! | 4/5 |
Who Are the Girls? has received largely positive reviews. On review aggregator website Metacritic, the album holds a score of 81 out of 100, based on reviews from four critics, which indicates "universal acclaim". NME called the album "A hyperactive album that blends influences but refuses to play by anyone else’s rules, it’s a defiant, excitable debut." Kerrang! noted the album's "furious themes" and "explosive energy" and declared the Nova Twins' sound to be unique in the current rock music scene. DIY magazine made special note of the album's lyrics on gender inequality, sexual harassment, and "their audience’s listening capabilities."
Clash magazine drew attention to Georgia South's unconventional, distorted bass lines and Amy Love's forceful vocals, while mentioning influences from not just punk and alternative rock but also garage rock, rave, and dubstep. In the words of a Distorted Sound reviewer, Who Are The Girls? is "an outrageous, off-the-wall collection of anthems that will make you reconsider what defines 'angry punk' from a new perspective that’s been overlooked and white-washed for decades."
One mixed review came from The Soundboard, which described the limitations of the rock duo format and opined that Nova Twins have yet to fully develop their songwriting and lyrical outlook. However, the reviewer praised the group's distinctive sound.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vortex" | 3:09 |
| 2. | "Play Fair" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Taxi" | 3:21 |
| 4. | "Devil's Face" | 2:44 |
| 5. | "Not My Day" | 2:14 |
| 6. | "Bullet" | 3:04 |
| 7. | "Lose Your Head" | 3:03 |
| 8. | "Ivory Tower" | 2:18 |
| 9. | "Undertaker" | 3:49 |
| 10. | "Athena" | 3:14 |
| Total length: | 30:22 | |
Personnel
Nova Twins
- Amy Love – guitar, lead vocals
- Georgia South – bass, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- George MacDonald – drums on "Vortex", "Taxi", "Devil's Face", "Not My Day", "Undertaker" and "Athena"
- Tim Nugent – drums on "Play Fair", "Bullet" and "Lose Your Head"
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Sales (OCC) | 81 |
| UK Physical Albums (OCC) | 76 |
| UK Vinyl Albums (OCC) | 28 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 28 |
| UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC) | 15 |
References
- "Nova Twins Sign to Fever 333 Singer's Label 333 Wreckords Crew". Revolver. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Nova Twins: "Being black women doing punk music is political" | NME". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Nova Twins - Who Are The Girls?". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- February 2020, Megan Lily Large 19. "Nova Twins: Heavy music doesn't let everyone in – we're trying to change that". loudersound. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Ginga, Christine (11 March 2020). "Album Review: WHO ARE THE GIRLS?". The Wellesley News. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Nova Twins Announce Debut Album, Who Are The Girls?". Kerrang!. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ Subscribe. "Nova Twins - Who Are The Girls?". diymag.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Who Are The Girls? - Nova Twins". Distorted Sound Magazine. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- Kelly, Tyler Damara (28 February 2020). "Nova Twins - Who Are The Girls?". Dork. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Album Review: Nova Twins – Who Are The Girls?". Kerrang!. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Who Are The Girls? by Nova Twins". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "ALBUM REVIEW: 'Who Are The Girls?' by Nova Twins". The Soundboard. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Official Albums Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- "Official Physical Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- "Official Vinyl Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- "Official Independent Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart". Official Charts Company. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2024.