Breaking into the music industry and leaving your mark on the world is not easy, and TX2 makes that clear with bold lyrics, emotional vocals, and rock and roll instrumentals. 

Rising emo rock artist TX2 released his newest EP Ghost Of LA on November 10 through Hopeless Records. Throughout the six songs, TX2 takes the listener on a journey emotionally and sonically, covering topics ranging from addiction, to mental health to relationships. From start to finish, TX2 will have the listener locked in, waiting to hear where the songs will take the next. Whether it is a slower acoustic song or fast paced rock banger, this EP has got you covered.

TX2 at Mahall’s on November 5

Keep reading for a breakdown of each of the six tracks on Ghost Of LA. 

Walking Dead Man

The EP opens on a somber note with the song “Walking Dead Man.” This track discusses the topic of drug addiction, using drugs to cover up problems and feeling alone in the world. The song opens with a simple acoustic guitar that later transitions into a heavier drum and electric guitar. However, the instrumentals are not the star of the song. The emotional vocal delivery from start to finish is what brings the song to life. The chorus feels almost like a cry for help and release of all the built up emotions. His vocals are fuller, and sounds almost as if he is on the verge of tears, while on the verses the vocal delivery is short and has a more angry feel. The instrumentals shift from a simple guitar and drum line with a running drum line during the pre-chorus to a very full in your face sounding instrumental in the chorus. The song takes you on an emotional journey that will have you on the verge of tears by the end. 

Sex Sells (Hard)

This next track is a complete 180 from the previous track. “Sex Sells (Hard)” is in your face from the very beginning. The track opens with heavy guitar and drums are quick to follow. The vocals are also on the rougher side, with a rock edge. However, while upbeat and high energy, the song still discusses some heavier topics with lyrics like “trauma and abandonment, all of it’s a brand to flip” and “monetize all your scars,” referring to using your trauma and past to become famous. The lyrics also address how sex and lust are heavily profitable, how your past and scene can encourage you to sell yourself for fame with lines like “Give ’em your blood, become a star/Give ’em the dirt, baby I promise/Sex sells, hard.” The drums on this track are in your face, and are used to keep the song moving until the very end. The beat underneath the vocals will have you bouncing your head and tapping your foot. It is loud, powerful, and gives this exciting feeling that makes you want to run. Especially when the vocals back off, the drums shine and the repetitive and in your face rhythm will have you moving. There is a roaring guitar solo towards the end of the track that is amazing, and screams rock and roll. The shredding guitar and accented lines help accent the moving drumline and create a groovy rock feel. You will be headbanging by the end of the song, no questions asked. 

Degrade Me

“Degrade Me” is about being hooked on someone who is toxic and staying in a relationship that is not good, but you cannot leave, “The door’s wide open, but I won’t exit/Crazy how I just stay put /I let you play me like I knew you would.” The lyrics themselves are repetitive and straightforward, allowing for the drums and guitar to be more of the star of the show. The song opens with a shredding guitar line and grabs your attention right away. The guitar keeps that same energy, with the roaring, powerful lines continuing throughout the entire song and are the structure of the track. Supporting the killer guitar is the pounding drums and sassy, rough, and screamy vocals at the end. The stand out moment of the song was the breakdown that started off quiet with guitar and drums, that built into a soaring guitar solo that seamlessly brought back in the drums to transition to the final chorus. It is a simple track that packs a powerful punch. 

Black Wedding

“Black Wedding” tells the story of a couple who ends up getting married because they got pregnant and the girl’s family is religious. However, they are not in love and, from the start, the marriage is doomed, “Maybe the cat got let out the bag/We miss the lives that we had, but we’re married.” The narrator does not want to be in the marriage, he wants to pursue his dreams. The song itself has a more theatrical feel to it to match the lyrics. It does not feel like a broadway song in a traditional sense, but the storytelling lyrics and large vocal performance give a feel of a more theatrical song. However, it still has rock elements to keep the same vibe of the EP. There is a breakdown in the bridge with heavy drums and screaming vocals with the line “this is what real love looks like” repeated over and over again. The song also opens with heavy electric guitar. Another layer of the song is the rap in the second verse, a change to the theatrical vocals heard throughout the rest of the song. While the track has the similar punk rock feel of the others, the lyrical style, breakdown, and overall different feel of a song, make it a stand out track. 

Am I Ghost

The EP slows down with simple drums and acoustic guitar on the next track “Am I Ghost.” The whole song is toned back. The biggest moment of the song is towards the end with a slight build up of drums, guitars and louder vocals for the very last chorus. Besides that, the emotion laced vocals are what bring the song to life. The lyrics talk about feeling out of place and not belonging with lines like “Am I ghost/Am I out of place?/In a full room of/ strangers with nothing to say/A wilted bouquet, wish it away/Day after day, after day, after day.” TX2 talks about chasing his dreams, constantly criticizing himself, and feeling stuck in the place in life he is in which can be heard on the closing line, “Stuck in this place/ Day after day, after day, after day.”  The song discusses mental health and struggling with being stuck in a negative mindset. You are doubting yourself, and don’t believe you deserve success. TX2’s vocals are more somber, quiet and sound like he is talking to himself. Giving it the aura of an internal monologue and reflectiveness. Then towards the end, it builds up to be more rough and vocals ridden with anger and frustration as the guitar and drums come in. While simple, the song hits you right in the heart, and is full of feelings and experiences many can relate to. 

6 Seconds Left

Closing track “6 Seconds Left” is the heaviest track of the EP. This song discusses suicide, wanting to be remembered and chasing fame. The lyrics that sum up the song are “Sleep for the moment/Maybe sleep forever/All I wanted/Was to be remembered.” The song discusses the narrator wanting to take his own life and give up. He has been chasing his dreams, and has not experienced the success he wanted. All he wanted was to make a lasting mark on the world, he has failed to do so. Throughout the song he is reflecting on his choices, and wanting to escape the feelings of sadness and disappointment. His life is not going the way he expected it to, and he feels lost and wants to give up. He is crying for help and is on the verge of letting it all go.  

Production wise the song itself almost splits into two. The first part is more acoustic, opening with just an acoustic guitar and somber vocals laced with longing and desperation. Slowly a drum comes in and then by the end of the second chorus, it is almost a whole new sound. There is an electric guitar and heavy drums. The vocals also shift into a more angry and pleading tone. Once the bridge kicks in, a heavy metal breakdown with screaming vocals, intense guitars and pounding in your face drums. The closing lines TX2 screams “Filled with regret, what did I expect?” The anger fully takes over as he beats himself for thinking he could make it in the world and have success. In a whiplash it drops back down to just acoustic guitar as it fades out, leaving the listener wondering what happens to our narrator. 

Ghost Of LA is currently available to stream on all major music streaming platforms. You can keep up with all upcoming releases and tours on TX2’s Instagram.