Avant Nova

Avant Nova
Avant Nova
EP by Slayr
Released	July 10, 2026
Genre	Rage, digicore, pop rap
Length	16:33
Label	Columbia
Slayr chronology

Avant Nova is the eighth extended play by American rapper Slayr and his first release under a major label. The release serves as a follow up to Half Blood (Bloodluxe) (2026) and as the precursor to his upcoming album, Fabula Nova. The EP contains a guest feature from Prettifun.^[1]

Background

The song "I Got Taste" is an extended version of a freestyle that was performed for XXL.^[2]

Promotion

After Slayr announced Fabula Nova on X, he performed at both Rolling Loud & Summer Smash in Orlando and Chicago respectively.^[3] On June 28, 2026 Slayr announced Avant Nova, originally titling it Prior Nova before changing it to its current name a few days later. The release date was announced on July 6, 2026, with the track list being announced on the next day.^[1]

Reception

HipHopDrops said the project "Hits like the pre game signal before the whole arena lights up with those digicore beats that twist and turn through experimental soundscapes full of wild vocal chops that will keep your speakers glitching in the best way".^[4] LegendsWillNeverDie positively reviewed the project, but stated "Even it doesn’t surprise me that Avant Nova only maintains the pop rap & rage components of his style since he’s now on a major label, I’m still adamant of Fabula Nova being another riveting entry in his discography".^[2] HotNewHipHop described the project as "another step forward" for Slayr, who is "on the verge of mainstream superstardom".^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Promise"	Evan McDonald Chris Marek April Harper	Slayr Chris Marek April Harper	2:47
2.	"Switch My Swag" (with Prettifun)	E. McDonald Michael Pieper Noah McDonald	Slayr Nxah VVSPipes	2:58
3.	"Nova"	E. McDonald M8i	Slayr M8i	2:41
4.	"I Got Taste"	E. McDonald Marek	Slayr Marek	2:22
5.	"Having Anxiety Is Annoying"	E. McDonald N. McDonald	Slayr Nxah	2:36
6.	"Raise My Voice"	E. McDonald Marek	Slayr Marek	3:07
Total length:				16:33

Notes

All track titles are stylized in all lowercase
"Promise" contains elements from "The Peace" (2026), written and performed by Underscores.^[2]

References

1 2 Corcoran, Nina (July 7, 2026). "Slayr Readies New Avant Nova EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
1 2 3 "slayr – "Avant Nova" review". Legends Will Never Die. July 10, 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
↑ Lindert, Hattie (May 7, 2026). "Rolling Loud 2026 Livestream Schedule & Details Announced". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
↑ Lindert, Hattie (July 9, 2026). "slayr – AVANT NOVA (6 tracks)". HipHopDrops. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
↑ Cole, Alexander (July 10, 2026). "Avant Nova - EP by Slayr". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 10 July 2026.

[PitchforkSlayr-1] 1 2 Corcoran, Nina (July 7, 2026). "Slayr Readies New Avant Nova EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2026.

[LWND-2] 1 2 3 "slayr – "Avant Nova" review". Legends Will Never Die. July 10, 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.

[3] Lindert, Hattie (May 7, 2026). "Rolling Loud 2026 Livestream Schedule & Details Announced". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2026.

[4] Lindert, Hattie (July 9, 2026). "slayr – AVANT NOVA (6 tracks)". HipHopDrops. Retrieved 10 July 2026.

[5] Cole, Alexander (July 10, 2026). "Avant Nova - EP by Slayr". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 10 July 2026.

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