Shelly Nova “Wave of Wonders”

Sexy, sultry and soulful Shelly Nova drops her debut album Wave of Wonders, on October 17th, showcasing electric vocals and hypnotic beats. Born in Sydney, Australia Shelly has been singing since the ripe old age of six when most of us were just learning how to navigate the playground, Nova navigates us on a neo soul futuristic cruise.  Starting us off with an intro track that gives me Jeffrey the Butler from Fresh Prince tease and sets the tone for the luxuriously soothing vocals and worldly beats to come.

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Nova starts us off with the track “Yatchmen” an intro that seeps into “Wave of Wonder” the title track. First thing to note is that the confluence of this whole entire album is so meticulously crafted. Each track meanders into one stream conceptually, forming a solid body of work that’s married to its theme.

One of the stand out tracks “Wild Tide” gives us a Latin flare and definitely makes you want to jump up and hit the dancefloor with a drink in hand - even if it's only in house these days. Shelly’s voice is like honey to our ears, pure sweet, goodness. Nova is melodic, sultry, and puts you in a trance from start to finish while also supplying us with catchy lyrics like

‘’My body is yearning some voodoo on the DANCE FLOOR.¨

It truly is a whole vibe and you'll wish you were cruising too, whether on that yacht, down the highway, or chillaxing in your room with a blunt in your hand listening in. 

Shelly shows us range and brings us into the smokey lounge area while showcasing some strong themes  about judgement from the naysayers i.e.. haters. But one of my favorite tracks was when Nova hit us with the bop Hurricane featuring Bizza, her labelmate at Caviar Industries.

Nova boasts some of her biggest inspirations are some of the top women in Hip Hop, with queen of Hip Hop soul herself Mary J. Blige and King Beyoncé.  

You can certainly see how when Nova sings

¨Baby my stories a hurricane, comin through when I ask do you understand, you have no clue. I'm just an object that's waterproof”.

In true rhythm and Blues and Hip Hop fashion Nova is able to share her vulnerability, over drum thumping beats, where she's just looking for a little understanding. I can hear the relationships ending now, while the volume dials turn up because this is one you are sure to be singing the lyrics long after the song is over.

The waters do get a little choppy in the ¨Kiss of Life remake´, where I was really looking for Nova to show me something completely different from the original since it is such an iconic song, by the legendary Sade, but I am revered by this newcomers passion, drive and vocal abilities I can't wait to see what she would do with the song  a little more seasoned.

All in all, wave of Wonders is an amazing and refreshing listen to what exists in the ethernet and you'll have definitely caught the wave.