Love and South have been close friends since childhood and have played in bands that were often booked on the same bill. Both of them come from a mixed background; Love is of Iranian and Nigerian descent, and South is of Jamaican and Australian descent. (Georgia South's father, William South, is also a musician). They formed a band together in 2014 named BRAATS, releasing the song "Bad Bitches" under that name. Later that year they settled on the name Nova Twins, and released their first song "Bassline Bitch" under that name, in April 2015. That song attracted the attention of independent label Robotunes, which signed them and released their first self-titled EP in 2016.
After a show at French festival Rencontres Trans Musicales in December 2016, Nova Twins spent most of 2017 touring multiple countries and supported Prophets of Rage, after which Tom Morello named them "the best band you've never heard of". They have since supported Wolf Alice, Little Simz, Dream Wife, Black Honey, and Skunk Anansie. In 2017 they self-released the singles "Thelma & Louise" and "Mood Swings", and started their own custom clothing line called Bad Stitches.
In 2018, Nova Twins self-released the singles "Hit Girl" and "Lose Your Head". They continued to tour with shows in Europe and America, including an appearance at the Afropunk festival in Brooklyn. Towards the end of that year they started recording their debut album with producer Jim Abbiss. In 2019, they toured with Fever 333 and again Prophets of Rage. The singles "Devil's Face" and "Vortex" from their upcoming album were released with accompanying music videos. They also collaborated with several brands, including Dr Martens on a global campaign, contributing both music and visuals. It was revealed later in the year that they had been signed to Fever 333's label 333 Wreckords Crew.
Their debut album Who Are the Girls? was released on February 28, 2020.[ Who Are the Girls? received positive reviews at Kerrang!, Crash, and elsewhere. The band won Best U.K. Breakthrough Band in the 2020 Heavy Music Awards. Their second album Supernova was released on June 17, 2022. Supernova was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize.
Sleep Paralysis
NOVA TWINS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello?
Fall asleep into a nightmare
Welcome to my sadistic funfair
Birds don't sing and no one comes here
It's dark outside without you, my dear
Something's comin' in the night
It will give you a fright
I like it when I feel the pain
Something's comin' in the night
It will give you a fright
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream (oh)
It's a game that we all know
Hide and seek, but no one shows
Catch my breath and count to ten
The same nightmare over again
Cold sweat drippin' off my face
The beat of the drum sounds like my heart rate
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream (oh)
Countin' down the seconds 'til it's here
The boogieman is preyin' on your fears
That makes nice a feeling disappear
Caught between a dream and what is real
Countin' down the seconds 'til it's here
The boogieman is preyin' on your fears
Everyone around you disappears
No one's here to dry away your tears
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream (oh)
Wake up
Wake up
The lyrics to NOVA TWINS's song "Sleep Paralysis" depict a dark and haunting experience. The opening lines set the tone, as the singer falls into a nightmare, describing it as a sadistic funfair where birds don't sing and no one comes. The absence of light without their loved one intensifies the feeling of darkness and loneliness.
The chorus refers to the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, a condition where one is unable to move or speak while transitioning between sleep and wakefulness. It expresses that no one can escape from this state, questioning the blurred line between reality and a bad dream. The repetition of the phrase "Is this reality? Living in a bad dream" highlights the confusion and disorientation of the singer's experience.
The second verse implies a repetitive and cyclical nature of the nightmare, suggesting that it is a game of hide and seek where no one shows up. The reference to counting suggests the struggle to regain control or escape from this recurring nightmare, with the beat of the drum symbolizing the singer's increasing anxiety.
The bridge amplifies the sense of fear and anticipation, counting down the seconds until the arrival of something menacing. The presence of the boogieman preying on fears adds to the chilling atmosphere. The singer feels caught between a dream and reality, with an unsettling feeling that everyone around them has disappeared. The final lines indicate a cry for help or a desperate plea to wake up from this disturbing state.
Overall, "Sleep Paralysis" explores the terrifying experience of being trapped in a nightmare-like state, blurring the boundaries between dreams and reality and evoking feelings of fear, loneliness, and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello?
Calling out for someone to acknowledge and respond.
Hello?
Repeating the call for attention.
Fall asleep into a nightmare
Entering a world of darkness and fear when falling asleep.
Welcome to my sadistic funfair
Entering a twisted and disturbing amusement park created by the artist.
Birds don't sing and no one comes here
In this nightmarish place, there is no beauty or companionship.
It's dark outside without you, my dear
Expressing a sense of loneliness and longing for someone's presence.
I like it when the clouds are grey
Finding comfort or joy in gloomy and dark situations.
Something's comin' in the night
Anticipating the arrival of something ominous during the night.
It will give you a fright
The impending event or presence will cause fear and panic.
I like it when I feel the pain
Deriving pleasure or satisfaction from experiencing pain.
Something's comin' in the night
Reiterating the earlier sense of foreboding.
It will give you a fright
Emphasizing the fear-inducing nature of the forthcoming event.
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Describing the condition of being awake but unable to move, trapped in this nightmarish space.
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream
Questioning the blurred lines between reality and the horrifying dreamlike state.
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Reiterating the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape.
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream (oh)
Continuing to question whether the current situation is real or just a nightmare.
It's a game that we all know
Referring to the familiarity of the situation, suggesting it is a recurring experience.
Hide and seek, but no one shows
Playing a game of hide and seek, but there is no one to search for or find.
Catch my breath and count to ten
Taking a moment to regain composure and calmness by taking deep breaths and counting.
The same nightmare over again
Stuck in a repetitive cycle of experiencing the same terrifying nightmare.
Cold sweat drippin' off my face
Feeling intense fear or anxiety, resulting in sweating.
The beat of the drum sounds like my heart rate
Comparing the pounding sound of a drum to the rapid beating of the artist's heart.
Countin' down the seconds 'til it's here
Waiting anxiously for the arrival of something ominous, measuring time in seconds.
The boogieman is preyin' on your fears
The boogieman symbolizes a source of terror that feeds on the fears of the affected person.
That makes nice a feeling disappear
The presence of the boogieman erases any positive or pleasant emotions or sensations.
Caught between a dream and what is real
Being trapped in a state of uncertainty, unable to distinguish between dreams and reality.
Countin' down the seconds 'til it's here
Repeating the earlier sense of anticipation and fear of the impending event.
The boogieman is preyin' on your fears
Emphasizing the malevolent nature of the boogieman and its manipulation of fears.
Everyone around you disappears
Feeling isolated and abandoned as everyone else in the dream or nightmare disappears.
No one's here to dry away your tears
Experiencing a lack of emotional support or comfort in the distressing situation.
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Reiterating the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape the sleep paralysis state.
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream
Continuing to question the nature of the current reality, feeling stuck in a nightmarish experience.
Sleep paralysis, no one's gettin' out of here
Emphasizing the inescapable nature of the sleep paralysis situation.
Is this reality? Living in a bad dream (oh)
Expressing the ongoing uncertainty and confusion about the true nature of the experience.
Wake up
An urging to awaken from the terrifying dreamscape.
Wake up
Repeating the plea to snap out of the nightmare and regain consciousness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Amy Love, Georgia South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind