Much-hyped alt.rock icon-in-waiting Evan Thomas unleashes a debut destined to set him on a path to superstardom.
There are very few artists who feel inevitable this early on, but as one of Kerrang!’s Sound Of 2026 ones to watch, TX2 already carries that momentum. End Of Us captures an artist who’s built more than songs, creating a fiercely loyal, radically inclusive community through the X Movement. Born Evan Thomas, the Los Angeles alt.rock agitator channels that connection into a debut that’s emotionally raw and designed to be screamed back from the front row.
The record opens with Feed, featuring DeathbyRomy, and it wastes absolutely no time in getting things fired-up. Industrial-tinged beats grind against serrated riffs as TX2 spits venom setting a dark tone from the outset. It’s a bold opener that frames the album as a cathartic experience. Nice Guy, with Ekoh, follows and immediately flips the mood. Built on warped pop hooks and hip-hop cadence, the tracks highlights Evan’s ability to seamlessly blend genres.
From there, HOSTAGE (they will not erase us) emerges as one of the album’s emotional pillars. Defiant and anthemic, it channels fear and resilience into a clenched-fist chorus. At the album’s midpoint, The Rain arrives swinging, driven by a fully loaded riff that carries as much emotional weight as it does brute force. It’s unapologetic, proving TX2 can blend vulnerability with sheer sonic muscle rather than retreating from it.
The latter stretch leans hard into collaboration. Murder Scene, featuring Magnolia Park, is a chaotic burst of pop-punk adrenaline, all jagged hooks and breathless energy. The instrumental version of M.A.D., meanwhile, featuring Ice Nine Kills, smartly exposes the muscle beneath the bombast, highlighting the precision of the writing itself. Everything culminates with The End Of Us, featuring Black Veil Brides. It’s towering and theatrical, with melodrama turned up to 11. It’s a fittingly grand closer that feels both final and forward-looking.
End Of Us isn’t subtle, and it doesn’t aim to be. TX2 sounds exactly like an artist refusing to shrink himself. For someone touted as shaping the future of alt.rock, that’s a powerful place to start.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Ice Nine Kills, Beartooth, Motionless In White
End Of Us is released on February 13 via Hopeless.
