2hollis – “Star”

Given his close ties to the rage scene – touring with Ken Carson, collaborating with underground legends like Ian, and dropping hyper-aggressive singles like Gold, Trauma, and the fan-favourite Jeans – it was easy to assume Star would push further into brutal, mosh-ready distortion. But what we got was something more nuanced: a fusion of the raw experimentation of his debut White Tiger and the polished pop sensibilities of Boy, with elements of his in-between project 2 peeking through. It’s surprising because he could’ve totally coasted on his newfound fans, with his monthly listeners quadrupling due to the tour and the huge success of his singles.

Getting to the track list, the moment that resonated most was Tell Me. It starts off as a rap-heavy track that immediately reflects his time immersed in the rage scene — something fans picked up on after seeing him open for Ken Carson on the A Great Chaos tour. The first half leans hard into this lane, and it makes you think that 2hollis was committing fully to that sound. But halfway through, the track morphs into a spacey, industrial EDM breakdown that completely subverts the audience’s expectations. It was a moment that reminded me why I became invested in 2hollis in the first place: he follows his own instincts, not the scene’s.

Going back a few tracks, You feels like the true starting point of the album. The opening three tracks set the mood, but the second you hear that fireworks producer tag and the glossy production of You, you know you were in for something catchy and immediate. It could have easily landed on 2’s airtight track list. Ego/Sidekick is the kind of tracks that people expected going into this project — loud, distorted, and full of glitchy industrial sound design. It mirrors the energy of his previous singles like Jeans, Trauma, and Gold, with a pounding intro and a breakdown that could’ve been lifted off Whole Lotta Red. This one’s made to be played loud.

Then there’s Dream Rain Sports, a full showcase of 2hollis’ range as a producer. Like 3 off Boy, this track proves he’s more than just a hook writer — he can create full-on EDM anthems that sound like they belong on festival stages across the world. Nerve is the most left-field track on Star, and it’s absolutely one of the best. With a techno-inspired beat, driving energy, and an insane drop, it pulls together everything that makes this project exciting — genre fusion, high-octane production, and a sharp ear for melody.

What makes Star so compelling is how it synthesises all of 2hollis’ previous work. The raw, noisy experimentation of White Tiger, the neon-bright creativity of 2, and the undeniable hooks of Boy — they all live here, reworked into a coherent, moody, and forward-thinking project. It doesn’t just shift between styles; it melds them, giving Star its own mysterious aura. From the opening track, you're placed on a dark, rain-slicked road, and for the next thirty-eight minutes, you're swept into a world of melancholic anthems built for backseat drives and warehouse raves alike.

But the real genius of Star lies in its restraint. This isn’t a maximalist rage record — even though it could have been. Instead, 2hollis chooses to slow things down, dwell in the shadows, and sharpen his sound into something more atmospheric and cinematic. The closer, Safe, fades the album out on a haunting note, like headlights disappearing into the night. It’s introspective, ambient, and emotionally raw — a stark contrast to the in-your-face energy of earlier tracks. It almost feels like a goodbye letter to an era, or maybe a quiet announcement that something even bigger is coming.

Star feels like a major step forward not just for 2hollis, but for the sound of alternative rap and underground EDM as a whole. With its mix of distorted aggression, gorgeous melodies, and futuristic production, it’s hard not to see 2hollis as one of the leading voices of this new era. If White Tiger was the intro, 2 was the experiment, and Boy was the glow-up — then Star is the arrival. And make no mistake: he’s here to stay.