ALBUM REVIEW: End Of Us – TX2
There is a bias towards those who create music for TikTok within communities. The stigma against so called “TikTok Music” grew along with the rise of the app in 2020 during the lockdown, where music that trended on the app affected the music charts. Sometimes sleeper hits from years ago would receive love from the app, like Bloody Mary by LADY GAGA, originally released in 2011. Other times, creators make music specifically for the app, and a snippet of the song would take off in a trend that users would like. One such user that has shared their music on the app is emo musician TX2, where one of his songs, I Would Hate Me Too, went viral in 2023, to mixed reception. Some called him a knock off YUNGBLUD, others liked the vulnerable openness he showcased. Now in 2026 with his debut album, End Of Us, TX2 wanted to showcase his love for alternative music in this rock opera for the decade. Does it succeed where his peers left off, or does it falter into mediocrity?
Creating music is like creating recipes: there are elements that are the standard for the basics, but then extra flavours and additional elements are what help a dish stand out in taste and flair. In music, the basics of music need the additional flavours of vocal delivery and lyrics. Sometimes the changes work and elevate the music, some clash and drag it down. This is the case right from the get go with End Of Us’ first song, Feed (ft. DEATHBYROMY), with some elements, namely the blend of the vocals and the chemistry between the two with the lyrics, working in the track’s favour. However, the guitars for example don’t work, sounding strained and thin for what the music demands. There are a lot of songs like this where elements clash together and drag down the song, like with Nice Guy (ft. EKOH), where the vocals are awful with a tone that highlights juvenile and off-putting lyrics.
However, despite the faults, there are more songs where the elements do work and deliver a track that shows TX2’s love for the alternative genre and the respect he has for those who came before him. For example, on HOSTAGE (they will not erase us) the inspirations from LINKIN PARK and MAGNOLIA PARK are palpable, but work incredibly well and means TX2 can make it his own, especially in the lyrics and how he puts so much passion and drive behind the words, in turn elevating it completely. Speaking of MAGNOLIA PARK, the collaboration song, Murder Scene he did with the band is another great song on the album. The music is beautifully gothic, with stunning lyrics that paint an intriguing story, with TX2’s voice blending with the band and working wonderfully alongside them. Whilst there are a lot of songs on the record that are collaborations, TX2 balances with them fantastically, not overshadowing them but also being able to stand equally to even bands like ICE NINE KILLS and BLACK VEIL BRIDES.
With a middling reputation online, critics and punters might think this record is an easy target to just hate on for those instant clickbait views. But taking a look underneath the layers shows that TX2 has a genuine love and passion for the music, with songs that are reminiscent of LINKIN PARK and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, as well as the scope similar to GREEN DAY. There are a lot of moments and songs that do work within the record that are genuinely good and worth listening to, even more than once. There is something of value within End Of Us that is worth exploring, there is just a lot to learn from this record. It’s not perfect, and could use some focus and restraint to trim down the ideas and refine them, but for a first album, it’s not bad. It’s not a fantastic album that will change music, but it’s nonetheless good. It will be interesting to watch where TX2 goes from here and how he further improves his craft after making a decent debut.
Rating: 6/10
End Of Us is set for release on February 13th via Hopeless Records.
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