Escapism in Overdrive: Nova May’s Neon Manifesto
- Josh Kitchen
- Aug 4, 2025
- 6 min read
By: Josh Kitchen / August 4, 2025
NOVA MAY doesn’t just work hard—she builds worlds, commanding the dancefloor with both precision and passion. Her signature brand of pop and dance—what she affectionately calls “recession pop”—channels the best of 2010s icons like Lady Gaga and Charli xcx, but with a fresh, modern twist. Her music pulses out of London’s clubs and dance halls, blending pounding beats, shimmering synths, and enough glitter and glam to keep you dancing until sunrise.
Her new mini-album, ROCKR ROOM, dropped last Friday and was unveiled live to an adoring London crowd hell-bent on euphoria. Visually inspired by the most indulgently extreme hairstyles of '80s hair metal and the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll of Sunset Boulevard, the project is a dazzling set of tracks—including standouts like “STARBOUNCE” and “TROPICANA BAR”—that are already heating up in the UK and poised to catch fire in the U.S. I've spoken with Nova before, but we caught up again to chat about the new music, how she's constantly working, and how how in a world filled with chaos, sometimes it just feels good to have some fun and dance - even for a minute or two.
ROCKR ROOM just dropped, and it was preceded by the great singles, "STARBOUNCE" and "TROPICANA BAR." This project feels like a long time coming after you've been churning out a stream of infection pop bangers over the past few years.
It does feel like it's been a long time coming. It's been a bit of an evolution from my last project, [2024's] I AM THE CLUB. This one definitely has more rock star, rebellious energy. I'm so excited for people to hear it. Honestly, I’ve been listening to it on repeat myself. I love it, so it’s great to finally get people’s reactions to the full project. "STARBOUNCE” got a big reaction on release day. That was definitely one of my favorite days this year. It’s been amazing to see people make videos to these songs as well and hear their takes on the songs—it’s just been so exciting.
This project is so colorful and bright. You’re always such a strong visual artist, but this feels like another level. So much of the promo has this sweet candy quality—you just want to be a part of what you're seeing and hearing. Talk to me about your visual take on this project.
As far as the hair, I’d been thinking for ages about how to evolve my look for this next version of Nova May. I came across the “Hollywood Hair Theory,” which is essentially the idea that your look should be recognizable enough for someone to dress up as you for Halloween. So, I went for something unusual—hard to miss. “Piss yellow” felt like the right choice. The exact shade really mattered too. I wanted to shake people up a bit!
That’s kind of where the bright colors of the project started. Before a new project, I always think about the emotion I want to put across, and then I go to Pinterest and start collecting visual ideas. It’s always a reflection of how I’m feeling in the moment. This time it felt more rock star, edgier, rough around the edges. I was also really inspired by escapism and surrealism. For me, it’s about world-building—and this is the rock star side of my world.
The hair is spiked, smooth, and visually just wild— it reminds me of 80s hair metal - you get that diabolical, sex-drugs-rock-n-roll vibe for sure.
I wanted to make a statement. Initially, I was just going to go with yellow, but then I found a photo of this model with huge spikes. It brought me back to when I was a kid playing Guitar Hero, customizing my character. I always gravitated toward the boldest looks—big shoes, big hair, spiky bras. It’s the energy I’ve always loved.
You live your art. It's refreshing to hear you're a fan of the music you make.
Thank you. For me, music has to be something I think is sick. I only make music I want to hear. I think a lot of artists, and I used to be one of them, are shy about saying how much they love their own work, because they don’t want to come off as vain. But honestly, my music is my favorite music. I’ve listened to each song hundreds of times.
You mentioned in a social post that this music is about demanding to feel good again, in a time when so much music can be introspective and melancholic. Those kinds of songs definitely have their place, but ROCKR ROOM gives off a feeling of living out loud and in the moment, and the need to feel joy with people you love. Talk me through that.
The world’s always been a crazy place, but it does feel especially tense right now. And I think what I said on Instagram just reflects how I feel—and how a lot of my generation feels. We’re scared for the future, it’s been a rocky few years with COVID, and everything else.
Personally, my escape has always been music, art, self-expression. But in school, creative subjects were always treated like the least important. It’s hard to make a living from this stuff, but we need more of it. Music and art are what people turn to for joy on the weekends. And I think people are done with all the chaos—they want fun.
You’ve been calling your style “recession pop”—like 2010s energy. And that makes sense. That era’s pop had to lift people up during hard times too.
Exactly. That’s what I want this music to be. Even if it’s just for a minute, I want people to escape into a more fun world—through a song or a music video.
Speaking of music videos—the “TROPICANA BAR” video is so fun. Clem Morris’ eye is perfect for you. The aesthetic is so vibrant.
Thank you! Clem is one of my best friends, and I’m lucky that my core team—Clem and my producer 444BOY—are both people who know me really well. We have shared taste, we’re not afraid to tell each other when an idea is bad, and that makes the art better. I’m really proud of how “TROPICANA BAR” turned out. It was out of my comfort zone—there’s a lot more interaction with boys in it—but I’m proud of that one.
How do you approach songwriting—do you start with a title, a feeling?
It depends. I do a lot of co-writing for other artists, which is different. But for my own stuff, it usually starts with a title. Me or 444BOY will come up with something, then we build meaning around it. Like with “TROPICANA BAR” he said “tropicana,” I added “bar.” Then we shape the concept and start writing, often with one other co-writer—sometimes on Zoom, sometimes in person.
For this project, I’ve flown to Germany a lot to work with Jules. We’ll dissect the songs, rewrite sections, make sure every part is as strong as possible. For example, “POLIZEI” was written over three trips. It’s about making sure each section hits.
The cover art for “ROCKR ROOM is so striking. It feels like a power statement.
That’s what we wanted. All the single covers this year were meant to be bold, and this one needed to top them. The idea was: four single covers with white backgrounds, and then a main cover with a black background for contrast. I wanted a power pose to match the energy of the project.
You just performed ROCKR ROOM on Friday in London - tell me about it!
Oh it was so epic! I would do it again tonight if I could. The London fans really packed the room out and I’m so grateful. They always give me so much energy and really get into the vibe with me! Performing is one of my favorite parts about being an artist for SURE.
You’re always working—it’s so admirable. You really care about your art so much.
Thank you. It’s not always the healthiest thing, but I just love it. It’s who I am.
Listen to ROCKR ROOM below:
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