interview

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interview ✦

With her latest single “TROPICANA BAR” out now, London-based recession pop artist Nova May is entering her most explosive chapter yet. And let’s be clear—with it, she’s unleashing a full-on aesthetic, sonic, and emotional experience.

The artist’s latest single was specifically crafted as a glittery, club-ready fantasy that depicts both euphoria and emotional disarray—set in a neon-soaked beachy dreamscape. It’s also the lead track from her forthcoming mini-album ROCKR ROOM, arriving July 25, which promises to take her signature blend of quirky surrealism, grunge, and confidence to the next level.

Though, her visuals are just as striking as her music. Whether she’s commanding the screen in the sun-splashed “TROPICANA BAR” video or packing out headline shows in London, Scotland, and Manchester, she’s also proving why she’s worth your attention.

Ahead of the song’s release, we caught up with May to talk about her evolving sound, the next chapter of her career, and the making of ROCKR ROOM.

“TROPICANA BAR” is such a wild ride—what sparked the idea for it, and how did the sound and visuals evolve together

Nova May: For a while, my producer and I had been talking about making a song inspired by 2000s euro dance, and when he came to me with this beat, I was obsessed. We already had the title “TROPICANA” floating around, and later added “BAR” just because it sounded cool—it gave it a bit more of a place, you know? We usually start our writing process like that: a beat and a title, then I attach meaning to it and we build from there. Most of my songs are like that—there’s always a fun title and theme, but with something deeper underneath. So “TROPICANA BAR” ended up being about partying on a tropical island, but it also subtly explores darker themes around substance and alcohol abuse.

Y2K energy clearly plays a big role in your world, which I personally love. What is it about that era that keeps pulling you in, whether emotionally, stylistically, or sonically?

Nova May: I feel like that era is so magical and nostalgic, even though I was technically too young to fully live it. There’s just something about the energy that pulls me in. I’m really drawn to the style, and it’s so fun to take inspo from it and feed it into my work. It kind of feels like tapping into a fantasy version of a time I wish I could’ve experienced as an adult!

Your last project I AM THE CLUB had a very distinct energy, but ROCKR ROOM feels like it’s coming from a different place. How has your perspective shifted creatively or personally since then?

Nova May: I AM THE CLUB was the beginning of me exploring my 2010s-inspired sound and was intended to be fun, chaotic, party bangers with messy British girl energy for the visuals. We wanted each track to be a different story from a night out… for example MR BUS DRIVER was the journey to the club, TROY was about going after who you want on the dancefloor, and CRYING ON THE DANCEFLOOR was exactly what it sounds like—but also a symbol of never giving up on myself, even when things felt dark. It really felt like this project was the start of my signature style: bold, fun titles with layered meanings underneath.

My current project ROCKR ROOM feels like the next chapter. With this one we leant more into editorial and surrealism visuals, with a consistent thread of mental health running through the songs. Every track has a hidden layer. I AM THE CLUB was the party girl era, ROCKR ROOM is the rockstar era. It’s louder, more evolved, and part of my Nova May universe that i’m trying to create for people to escape into. I'm really curious to see what version of me comes next!

With this new blend of punk, pop, and electronic chaos, how do you decide when a track feels like you?

Nova May: Hmm, well—for every project I put out, I always start with a really clear vision of the sound and visuals I’m going for. So when I go into writing sessions, they’re super intentional, and what comes out naturally ends up feeling like me! I think with music, even if you’re writing for pitch and imagining another person on the track, little pieces of what you’re going through always end up in the song.

There are definitely tracks I make that don’t end up on the final projects—not because they aren’t good, but because they don’t tell my story as well as others. But when a track feels like me, I just know. It’s kind of instinctive. I discover parts of myself through making music—it’s like the art and the artist start to merge. As artsy as it sounds, it all becomes one, and the tracks end up feeling like a new version of me!

Your visuals strike this perfect balance between stunning glam and total grit. What’s your process when building that world? Do you see the visuals as essential to the storytelling?

Nova May: Thank you! For me, visuals are a crucial part of building my world. I’ve always been obsessed with fashion and art, so it’s really fun to bring to life what I was imagining in my head while writing the songs. I 100% see visuals as part of the storytelling—they help people understand the music on a deeper level. Great branding is a music artist’s best friend.

I’ve always loved glam rock and anything with a bit of edge. Growing up, my favourite Bratz doll was my emo one with black and blue hair and fishnet tights. I was obsessed with bands like Black Veil Brides—the intense makeup, the gothic clothing, that full-on in your face identity. At the same time, I loved the sparkly popstar vibes of Hannah Montana and Katy Perry. It’s all kinda fused together and now I just do my thing!

You’ve mentioned that this new project also digs into identity and mental health—were those themes already present when you started writing, or did they surface as you built it out?

Nova May: I’ve always made a promise to myself to speak openly about mental health—it's something I’ve dealt with for what feels like my whole life, and I hope my experiences can help others feel less alone. With this project, I made a conscious decision to weave those themes throughout, because I’ve noticed that some of my best work has come from my lowest points! It’s wild how, even in the midst of suffering, you can still create something epic.

This is my rockstar project, and I think a huge part of that energy is the extreme highs and lows you experience in that position. Tapping into that really helped me shape the music and visuals, but also learn so much about myself in the process.

Finally, if ROCKR ROOM was an actual room, what would it look like—and what would be inside it?

Nova May: Oh my god, it would be absolutely EPIC. There would be glitter and gold everywhere, leather-print vintage sofas, sexy rockstar people lying across them, smashed guitars in the corners, a giant chandelier, and iconic music legends would be casually sipping the most expensive, boujee alcohol at the bar. Strippers would be shaking ass in massive gold rhinestoned cages hanging from the ceiling, with smoke machines filling the room. There’d also be a huge sparkly golden stage in the middle of the room, with me performing in an iconic outfit wearing a gold spiked choker and massive platform disco boots. Finally, Lady Gaga would be in the front row wearing something SUPER amazing and getting ready to come on stage too to perform our song together.