Novulent press conference: Vulnerability in artistry & ‘Volume 3’ 

After speaking with Alternative Rock artist Novulent at a press conference to discuss their new album “Volume 3,” released February 13, 2026, a meaningful discussion about the emotional core of the project, the growth of their sound and the community they continue to build with their fans, known as the Novas, was held. I got first hand insight into what fans can expect with this intentionally crafted body of work. 

With five singles already surpassing two million streams on Spotify, “Volume 3” explores themes of love, lust, vulnerability and human connection. 

At the heart of Novulent’s artistry is comfort.

Kai: When someone listens to your music, what do you hope they feel? 

Novulent: I hope they feel comfortable. I’m self-aware that I stutter sometimes or have a lot of thoughts running through my head, and I’m not always the best at comforting people in person. But when someone tells me my song brought them warmth…that means everything. Music honestly saves me. 

For Novulent, music functions as emotional regulation; it is formed as an outlet for both the creator and the listener.

We received an exclusive listen to the pre-released track, “The World Ends With You.” A deeply ambient rock song previewed was “Dysphoria” (#10 on the album), which stood out through its heavy bass, echoing vocal adlibs, and distortion of the electric guitar along with a Deftones vibe. The song has a calm, isolated feeling. This track sounded perfect to play on a late night drive.

Vulnerability as Strength 

When I asked how their relationship with vulnerability has evolved, Novulent reflected on their upbringing and the stigmas that often surround emotional openness, especially in marginalized communities. 

Kai: How has your relationship with vulnerability changed since sharing your music publicly versus when it was just for yourself? 

Novulent: I would say it’s liberating. Growing up in the areas I grew up in, I was always taught that vulnerability is a weakness. Now, I see it more as a strength. It’s healing. Emotion shouldn’t be seen as weakness. The emotions we perceive as negative are needed…without emotion, are we even human? Can we even relate to anything?

 “There was a lot of doubt and fear of being vulnerable on the internet so the idea of putting this out in the world, who knows if people will change their perception of me.”

They explained that maturing and allowing themselves to be emotionally transparent online was at first intimidating, but eventually came to be a liberating experience.

A song on “Fairytale” is about a conversation they had with their mom and about the mentality of creation, wondering if other people can relate to this and use it as a strength to talk. Many of Novulent’s songs are rooted in deeply personal experiences intended to help listeners feel less alone. 

A desire for listeners to really look into the meaning of each song and the tale attached to it was expressed by Novulent as the main priority especially in “Volume 3”. Everything in this project was constructed as a story with a beginning, middle and end. 

Influences Beyond Music 

Novulent credits a lot of their creative direction to storydriven media, with a particular focus to video games, films, and animation. Rather than focusing solely on grand narratives, they are drawn to the intimate character relationships within these worlds. 

Novulent: A lot of the games I play are story-based…there’s always this big enemy threatening the world, but it’s the personal relationships and the quiet moments that stick with me.

They referenced inspirations ranging from Heathers to animes like Chainsaw Man, and even Pokemon movies that all contributed to the cinematic and emotional layering present in their albums, singles, and projects.

Building Worlds Through Visuals 

Visual storytelling plays a critical role in Novulent’s artistic identity. In response to Crave Music Magazine, they emphasized that aesthetics are inseparable from the music itself.

Novulent: Without the aesthetic I’ve created, 70% of it would be gone. The way things are portrayed evokes a particular emotion. You can’t rush art. Everything has to feel intentional. 

The “Sacrifice” music video’s carousel dreamy visual symbolizes transitions and self improvement through loss:

“To improve yourself – to get better,  you have to sacrifice something. It could be romantic. It could be friendship wise. It could be anything. The carousel represents stepping into a new beginning.” 

Albums as Stories, Not Collections

Dedicated fans have begun to notice that “Volume 1” and “Volume 2” function less as random tracklists and more as carefully placed together narratives. Novulent described their album construction like a film storyline with an opening act, rising climax, and ending, carefully selecting which songs best build toward the final emotional resolution.

They acknowledged that casual listeners might miss the storytelling depth on a first listen, but those who stay with the music often uncover its personal layers. 

Growth with Origin 

Despite improvements in mixing and production, Novulent still records many ideas on an Iphone; maintaining the rawness that initially defined their sound. 

“I wouldn’t say my songwriting changed, it matured.” 

When asked what advice they would give their younger self, their answer was simple: 

“Always have confidence. If I gave my old self too much advice, my career would’ve changed in unpredictable ways. Everything that led me here was worth it.”

Community

One of the most meaningful goals that Novulent expressed was not fame but community.

“The main goal is to be a gigantic safe space for alternative rock. I love seeing my fans interact with each other. It’s almost like a village. I want to build a community, not just a fan base.”

Through drawing inspiration from artists like Yungblus, Novulent envisions their platform being used as a shared emotional space with deep connection.

With “Volume 3” just released, Novulent continues to exhibit vulnerability as strength, music, visual art, artist and audience. If early singles and previews are any indication, this next chapter promises to deepen the immersive world they’ve been carefully crafting:one story, one listener and one shared feeling at a time.