REVIEW

The third album from Dallas, Texas alternative rock artist Novulent.

Novulent launched as a solo project in 2022, gaining attention after tracks such as “Scars” went viral on TikTok and eventually signing with Capitol Records. While maintaining a DIY approach to songwriting, creating music in his bedroom using BandLab and an iPhone, the project has since evolved into a full band lineup featuring vocals, bass, guitar, and drums.

Starting to write music at the age of 17, Novulent initially cited emo rap artists such as XXXTENTACION and Lil Peep as major influences. Although he had always been drawn to shoegaze, his sound began expanding toward a more alternative rock-oriented direction with “Blinded” from “My Story 2,” a track inspired by a personal experience that marked a turning point in his artistic evolution. Whirr, a band he was heavily listening to at the time, played a significant role in shaping this transition.

By blending influences from Whirr and Deftones with elements of shoegaze, nu metal, grunge, and slowcore, Novulent has developed a distinctive sound that bridges heaviness and melancholy. His appreciation for Japanese artists such as Plastic Tree and downy further reflects the broad range of influences behind his music. Novulent – VOL. 3（Starry Constellation Magazine）

“VOL. 3” serves as the conclusion to the trilogy that has defined Novulent’s artistic journey. Spanning 13 tracks and approximately 41 minutes, the album not only summarizes his evolution so far but also embraces a more narrative-driven structure.

Opening with #1 “Peering Thought,” the album begins with an unusually upbeat sense of momentum for Novulent, introducing a feeling of exhilaration rarely found in his previous work. Compared to earlier releases, the mix feels more refined, with a more balanced soundscape where reduced guitar noise allows the vocals to blend naturally into the instrumentation, creating a stronger sense of unity. The seamless transitions between tracks and carefully crafted outros demonstrate a clear focus on the album’s overall flow.

#7 “evil eye” marks a major turning point, shifting the album toward a darker and heavier atmosphere. Built around the imagery of a vampire, the track explores a form of affection that borders on obsession. From this point onward, crushing walls of sound, introspective melodies, and melancholic vocals become more prominent, bringing Novulent’s gloomy and emotionally intense world into sharper focus.

Closing the album, #13 “the world ends with you” carries the scale and emotional weight expected from a final chapter. While the expansive sound offers a sense of release and even a glimpse of salvation, the lyrics reveal a darker narrative centered on self-sacrificing devotion and a desire for destruction.

“I can't live without you, I'll join you soon.
For that is my purpose, the world ends with you.”

Viewed as a whole, “VOL. 3” can be interpreted as a story of psychological collapse — a journey from loss and the disappearance of one’s sense of self toward control, obsession, self-sacrifice, and an attraction to death. As the narrative progresses, the increasingly dark and heavy sonic palette mirrors this emotional descent, giving the album’s concept greater impact and cohesion.

Beyond the music, Novulent’s visual identity also sets him apart. His dreadlocks, sharp piercings, extensive tattoos, and leather-heavy aesthetic create the image of a “fallen angel,” establishing a distinctive character that contrasts with the dreamlike imagery often associated with the new generation of shoegaze artists.

Following the release of “VOL. 3,” Novulent embarked on a US tour, with his first European tour scheduled for November 2026. As this fallen angel continues to expand his following around the world, his next chapter will be one to watch.