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SuperKnova - American Queers

  • Published in UNX

SuperKnova is a DIY project from Chicago multi–instrumentalist Ellie KimAmerican Queers is billed as a debut album but it might be better described as a mini-album or an EP. Although, over the course of seven songs, Kim covers enough musical ground to make it feel like a full length LP. Her subject matter veers from the personal to the political without ever sacrificing melody. This is a record that would work even if you didn’t have a word of English. Apparently her live shows are Ed Sheeran-esque solo productions, with loop pedals and improvisation. I’d quite like to see that.  

‘Glitter And Blood’ is the opening track and a recent single. It merges programmed beats and synths with a guitar solo reminiscent of Robert Fripp’s crazed experimentalism with David Bowie. The interplay between the synths and guitars continues to ‘2 Power! ‘ where the two instruments duet like ‘80s hair metallers playing back to back and trading licks. Such disregard for fashion and convention makes American Queers a compelling listen.  

‘Shot And A Pill’ could have been penned by the aforementioned Sheeran and his writers, as could the languid surf rock of ‘Serotonin Serenade‘. ‘Off My Body’ has the strongest hook on the record. Kim has saved the best for last. Although it’s very close to ‘Shape Of You‘ in melody, the chorus of ‘Keep your laws/Off my body / I am heavenly /I was made this way’ is made for chanting at a live show. The jazzy outro is crying out for a saxophone jam.  

Ultimately American Queers marks Superknova as one to watch rather than being a defining work. It doesn’t sound self produced. The bass is massive. There is space in the music and every instrument is clear and sharp. Kim is an assured voice and she’s only a pop hook away from having a major hit on her hands. In a world where Billie Eilish can get her alt-pop to number one around the planet, there is surely a lucrative market for Kim’s imaginative DIY.

American Queers is available via bandcamp here.

 

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Superknova Announces American Queers

  • Published in News

SuperKnova is the solo project of Ellie Kim, a Chicago-based transgender musician who creates queer pop, a unique sound that incorporates hip-hop inspired drums, driving synths, and virtuosic guitar solos. She writes about identity, queerness and the struggle to be your authentic self.

SuperKnova was originally just a diary. A collection of songs written by Kim to process her emotions early in her coming out. She chose six of those songs and created the EP Splendor Dysphoria. She called the project SuperKnova, a reference to the final, most spectacular explosion before the death of a star. An apt analogy for her philosophy on life.

In an increasingly hostile political climate, SuperKnova makes music to inspire social change and unite the queer community. Building on the success of Splendor Dysphoria, SuperKnova is set to release her debut album American Queers. It is a tribute to everyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in. A loud and proud album that celebrates living your truth. The songs range from lo-fi, indie chill vibes to high-energy, stadium electronica.

SuperKnova is 100% DIY. She plays all the instruments, sings all the vocal parts, produces and writes all the music and even records and engineers the albums herself. This carries over to her live performances where she plays multiple instruments and builds many of her songs live on stage through looping and dynamic improvisation.

 

 

 

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