Emerging with a dark, atmospheric sound that blends alternative rock, emo, and modern electronic influences, NOVAGLØW is quickly carving out their own distinct space in the music scene. With emotionally charged releases like “Bury Me” and their latest single “REM,” the project captures themes of vulnerability, intensity, and self-expression through immersive soundscapes and powerful songwriting.
As new listeners continue to discover their music, NOVAGLØW stands out for creating a sonic experience that feels both haunting and deeply personal. In this feature, we get to know more about the inspirations behind the project, their creative journey, and what listeners can expect next from this rising act.
Can you introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us how NOVAGLØW started?
- Hello, we are MIRAII and Roven, a two-piece metalcore band. We used to be in an alternative-rock band called Restate The Moira. We’ve always wanted to evolve into something much more heavy with a mix of pop/RnB with electronic sounds so we left our previous band and started NOVAGLØW in 2025.
What inspired the name “NOVAGLØW”?
- We’ve always liked the idea of a supernova, how a star reaches its end and explodes to an incredible amount of bright energy for new cosmic life. We chose ‘NOVAGLØW’ to capture that exact transition. It represents the turning point for us in our music journey, taking an ending and turning it into a powerful, bright rebirth, “Nova-Glow”.
Your song “REM” What inspired the track?
- It’s been a while since we first started writing it, but ‘REM’ essentially began with a few guitar riffs. I (Roven) was playing around with some new sounds and production techniques that we hadn’t tried before, such as adding subtle dubstep elements inspired by video game OSTs like Metal Gear Rising. The vocal style and production draws inspiration from Pop, K-pop, and R&B artists like K/DA, JoJo, Kehlani.
What message or story were you trying to tell through “REM”?
- The story of our song came out of pure desperation when we have moments of insomnia. We’re lying awake staring at the ceiling unable to fall asleep and we thought ‘Well, if we can’t get any REM sleep, might as well write a song about it’. We wanted to keep the song light-hearted and fun, nothing deep or philosophical, just an upbeat relatable track about struggling to fall asleep.
Which song was the most challenging to create so far, and why?
- Since we only have two tracks out at the moment, the choice has to be ‘REM’, but for different reasons. For MIRAII, the most challenging part was the screaming parts, as it was out of her comfort zone, because the screams are much lower for her this time. For me (Roven), the challenge was purely creative pressure. I wanted the production to outdo our first song ‘Bury Me’. Aiming for that next-level polish forced me to challenge my workflow and push past my old boundaries.
When writing songs, do lyrics or instrumentals usually come first?
- Usually the instrumentals come first. We find that having the instrumentals done first makes it easier to develop vocal melodies and lyrics. The instrumental creates an overarching structure for the song. This allows the vocals and lyrics to work around the vibe and energy of the track.
Are your songs based on personal experiences or fictional stories?
- It’s somewhat based on personal experiences. But not entirely. We like to take real experiences that we or our friends have been through, and expand and build on those stories around them. It allows us to keep the music relatable while still leaving room for imagination.
What emotions do you hope listeners feel when hearing your music?
- We want our listeners to relate to our songs and feel seen and heard. We hope that listeners can use our music to release whatever tension they might have inside and release that energy through our songs.
How long does it usually take for NOVAGLØW to finish a song from demo to final release?
- Since we both work full-time jobs, the journey from initial demo to final release takes some time. There are days when we’re mentally exhausted from our day jobs and simply lack the headspace to create. For both ‘Bury Me’ and ‘REM,’ the process took about half a year. We’re actively working to change that though, as we learn to better protect our creative energy and streamline our workflow to release music faster.
Which NOVAGLØW track best represents the band’s identity right now?
- Both ‘Bury Me’ and ‘REM’ are pretty close, but if we have to choose we’d pick ‘REM’, because we feel that it’s a more polished version of the kind of sound and identity that we’re going for, both musically and visually.
Were there any artists or genres that influenced your recent songs?
- Definitely! We’re inspired by everything from Metal and Electronic music to K-pop, R&B, and OSTs. We take what we love from those genres and artists, whether it’s a specific melodic structure, a production style, or a unique sound texture, and combining them into our own creative process. You can hear bits of everything from Spiritbox and Mick Gordon, to XG and Kehlani.
How important is production and visual aesthetic when releasing a new song?
- It’s crucial because it establishes our overall brand and shapes how people perceive us, visually, sonically and emotionally. As a new indie band, limited resources make achieving that perfect look a challenge. However, we do what we can to keep our production and aesthetics cohesive.
Is there a hidden meaning or detail in your songs that fans may not notice immediately?
- We don’t really have any hidden riddles or secret messages, but there are definitely subtle production layers that people might miss on an initial listen. There are tiny textures, cinematic soundscapes, and intricate vocal stacks and effects hidden deep in the mix. They might not be immediately noticeable when everything is playing together, but they really come alive if you dive into the instrumental version or listen to the isolated vocals. It might be a good idea for us to release instrumental versions and isolated vocals of our songs! I’m sure people would love to hear the hidden details!
Which song are you most proud of personally?
- Honestly, we’re proud of both songs equally. ‘Bury Me’ was our debut song and introduction to the world, meticulously crafted to establish the foundation of our sound and identity that we always wanted. Then ‘REM’ came along as a much more refined, polished step forward. They are both milestone moments for us, so they carry the same amount of pride
Can fans expect a new musical direction in your future releases?
- Not a completely new musical direction, but we definitely love to experiment. Our listeners can expect a sound that feels familiar and true to our roots, but we’re going to be pushing our creative boundaries a bit further with every release. It’s about taking what people already love about us and elevating it to the next level.
Are there any unreleased songs or upcoming projects you’re excited to share soon?
- Yes! We have three unreleased tracks coming up as part of a new EP. We’re also incredibly excited to feature a collaboration with an awesome band from the US.
What’s your favorite fan reaction or interpretation of one of your songs?
- Not really ‘fans’ per se, but we had two big youtubers (Ohrion and SteveOG) who reacted to our song ‘Bury Me’ which was a pleasant surprise for us. That really helped give us the extra boost in getting ourselves known. We’re incredibly grateful for them for shining a spotlight on our music so early in our journey.
Lastly, if someone is discovering NOVAGLØW for the first time, which song should they listen to first?
- Start with ‘REM.’ It really represents our sound at its best right now. It perfectly captures the exact energy and direction we want NOVAGLØW to be known for.
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