In a 30-second clip that quietly went viral last December, artist 2hollis sits in his car, promoting his latest single “jeans.” With short, brown hair, he fumbles awkwardly with a water bottle he never manages to open — a moment from an artist whose image has now completely shifted. His April 4 album release is fully-fledged, a culmination of glitchy synths, heavy bass, internet alt-pop and avant-garde electronica.
The 15 track album embodies a distinct and unconventional sound, much like the artist himself. 2hollis performs with wavy platinum hair extensions, a black stripe painted across his nose and smudged eyeliner. His aesthetic, best described as a mixture of a slightly toned-down 2000s mall goth with the opium style popularized by Playboi Carti, pervades throughout the work. Effortlessly cool and surprisingly introspective, the upbeat music clashes with despondent lyricism.
In “you,” 2hollis chops up his sultry vocals over catchy synths, a similar track to his previous album “boy.” The dance-worthy song doesn’t sound too generic but still encapsulates the necessary elements of a hit — perfect to blast on car speakers speeding on Interstate 35 in the middle of the night or earbuds on the way to class.
The track maintains a steady rhythm that transitions seamlessly into “tell me,” an honest and raw contemplation of his rapid rise to fame after signing to Interscope Records at the end of 2024. The artist pleads in distorted audio — “Just tell me, are they lookin’ at me?/So, so sick and awake/Tell me, are they lookin’ at me? (At me) — ” questioning the intentions of potential lovers and friends. He frequently revisits the topic throughout the album, as people online continuously pick apart his sound and aesthetic.
In collaboration with Carti’s producer Jonah Abraham, tracks “nice” and “nerve” are reminiscent of 2016 dance hits, bringing a light-hearted and flirtatious energy to contrast some of the darker tracks on the album. In true 2hollis form, the music sounds compressed, giving it a unique and engaging edge compared to typical pop hits.
The darker side of 2hollis emerges in “ego,” whispering over a foreboding synth, “In that very moment/I would feel noble/No pity or remorse/I would feel no sadness,” that transitions seamlessly into the hard-hitting crunchy bass screamo track “sidekick.” It’s the grittiest track on the album, with the artist whisper-singing in a forced voice: “Camera lights flash on me, can’t see, can’t breathe, I’m nauseous.”
In a surprising acoustic switch-up, 2hollis sings over a somber strum of a guitar in “eldest child.” He’s not afraid of honesty and vulnerability as his voice takes a sorrowful tone.“Pretty girls and cars, God, I’m sucking my cheeks in/Shimmering miragе, I can see what I wanna be/Pretty girls, no hearts, wе can’t be what we wanna be/Many dreams, many stars, many broken promises not to keep.”
2hollis’s aesthetic revolves around an aura of mystery and nonchalance. However, much of the album dispels that, setting 2hollis apart from those operating in a similar sonic space. Even in the face of fame and recognition, he offers a moment of familiarity and an ode to staying grounded.
Four stars out of five
