[5][7] Matt Cibula of PopMatters highlights the work of Berroa on the drums and Henriquez' bass, giving both pieces a "solid foundation".

[7] The second track, "El Cadete Constitucional", was written by Jacobo Rubalcaba (the pianist grandfather), as a children's song and adapted into a funky strut in its step,[5] opening as a "throwback to early Cuban jazz", and ending with a very "modern" synthesizer solo.

"[9] All About Jazz' Mark Corroto stated that the album proves that the performer "has plenty of heart rooted in a traditional Cuban music past and a head pointed into a diverse North American future.

"[8] Matt Cibula of PopMatters stated that Supernova is a "wonderful record, that proves that Rubalcaba is one of the greatest composers and pianist in the world," but was critical about the lack of emotional commitment to his music, concluding that the album would work better on an audience that never heard the performer before.

[7] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+ grade, arguing that it "neatly showcases Rubalcaba's strengths: unerring yet playful rhythm, technical ferocity when required, burnished balladry, and Cuban swagger blended with jazz suavity.

"[10] George Tysh of Metro Times stated that Supernova "incorporates both Rubalcaba personalities, being more percussively rhythmic (definitely more Latin) than Inner Voyage, but still as sensitive.

"[6] The Rubalcaba's biography included on the book Jazz for Dummies (2006) by Dick Sutro, emphasizes that the album founds the performer on his peak form.

[14] The track "Oren" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, which it lost to Alan Silvestri's "Cast Away (End Credits)".