Hostage (they will not erase us)

TX2

April 23, 2025

Review by Ally Arens

Alternative rocker TX2 aims to bring a voice to the voiceless on his most recent offering, new single “HOSTAGE (they will not erase us).” While he’s developed a bit of a controversial reputation for his click-bait style TikTok promo videos and no-fucks-given attitude that some may feel is disingenuous at best and egotistical at worst (myself included at one point), “HOSTAGE” put into words some of my own feelings about the current state of the world way better than I ever could, and for that, I think it’s an important listen and that we should look past some of the marketing tactics to hear what he has to say.

Sonically, the track is catchy-as-hell, with driving instrumentals and a simple lyrical structure that helps drive its point home. The punchy anthem touches on themes of oppression, specifically that of the LGBTQ+ community, at a time when lawmakers are hyper focused on attacking and demonizing the transgender community especially such as worrying about what bathrooms people use and trying to “protect women’s sports” by banning trans women from competing as their identifying gender. In reality, though, trans athletes make up less than 1% of the total college athlete pool. Meanwhile, genocides are being committed and human rights are being violated, so why can’t we just let people be their true selves and focus on what’s really important? 

The chorus serves as a rallying cry out to stand up against said oppressors:

“They can try to erase us

They feed lies to the nameless

It’s so fucked up how they portray us

I’m exhausted, living like a hostage”

As a queer, nonbinary person myself, this just hit me too close to home when I first heard it. While I’m fortunate enough that my immediate household is nothing but supportive of my identity, something that is sadly somewhat of a rarity in the community, it’s still been incredibly difficult to wake up almost every day since November 6, 2024 to a new headline about whatever inconceivable atrocities are being spoken by the Republican Party and feel like I have a giant target on my back just by living in a state like Oklahoma. Artists being unapologetically queer and/or speaking out against these atrocities, however, are going to be the backbone that helps hold the community together as we try to navigate our new reality, and “HOSTAGE” helps add to that conversation in a meaningful way. 

Alongside the release of “HOSTAGE”, TX2 is gearing up to embark on another round of tour dates beginning on April 29th in Richmond, VA. Some shows are in support of Ice Nine Kills, while others are headlining shows on the Crown of Thorns tour, with Dark Divine serving as main support. Among these dates are a headlining show in Oklahoma City on May 28 at Beer City Music Hall, with local act It Kills You opening, and one in Dallas, TX on June 1 at the TX Tea Room with Waiting 4 April opening. All of TX2’s upcoming tour dates and ticket links can be found here.