The Nova Fiends - never survive

The Nova Fiends

never survive
self-released; 2019

​3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

The Nova Fiends is a Melbourne based band. The band’s first complete DIY release never survive contains four songs.

They get going with “Blind on Daylight.” The song reminded me of The Velvet Underground in some ways. There is this kind of relaxed delivery which sounds sort of stoned. That's the best way I can describe it. The music is pretty dissonant and the energy feels sort of reversed. There is a raw and very messy quality to the music as if it’s barely being held together but was actually very appealing to listen to.

Up next is “People Watching” which goes into more of the sound that The Velvet Underground made popular. The person who is singing uses a similar inflection and cadence to Lou Reed at least on the verse. This song felt a little more full and while there was still this kind of reverse energy to the music it was growing on me more and more.

“Mr Carson” is a little more atmospheric and reverb heavy. It’s hazy and atmospheric with psychedelic qualities. The vibe is also serene in some ways but also feels a bit disconnected as if this trip could go south at any moment. They go into garage rock territory on “never surprised.” I liked some of the vocal parts but some of the screaming was also jarring.

This band seems very influenced by the late ’60s. In fact it seems like music that would be playing at the famous and infamous studio known as The Factory by Andy Warhol. The band has some striking similarities to The Velvet Underground and I would actually suggest they actively fight against it. There is nothing wrong with being influenced by a particular band but I think actively moving away from that particular influence would help them create more of a signature sound.

The influence from the late ’60s is nothing new and bands like Foxygen rose to success by embracing that. The Nova Fiends might be the next in line but it’s very early in the game to know. I wish them luck as they evolve and I hope to hear more soon.

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