REVIEW: Prince of Darkness 2hollis Returns with New Gothic Emo Single ‘Hurt’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY ANNA CUCIUREAN-ZAPAN ☆
Photo by Noah Dillon
“Hurt” is reminiscent of 2hollis’ classic work from his critically acclaimed album star, but has ventured into the world of cyberpunk and metal pop. The beat can be described as nothing other than erratic, featuring whistles, piano chords, rapid breathing and whiny synths that take you on a screeching and creaking journey, all very on par with the title. The song is dense but every little detail adds something different to the track. Halfway through, you hear the typical 2hollis fade in with the beat drop paying off using blaring synths that make you want to headbang until you need a neck brace. It’s as if a vampire discovered a drum machine in the cellar of their 18th-century castle.
Accompanied with the single is 2hollis’ first self-directed and edited music video, and it showcases what he thinks of himself now after further developing his artistry. People dance in a coordinated circle around him draped in dementor-like dark sheets, with 2hollis in the middle towering over them looking like a blond hyperpop version of Nosferatu, shrouded in black feathers and lace. Everyone gets more and more animated as the video pushes forward, featuring flashing lights and deeply shadowed lighting, escalating into screams and ending with 2hollis carried overhead posing as if he were a mythical Greek god.
2hollis is in his vamp era and it’s darker than all his past work. Even his hair isn’t his typical bleach white—getting to be a darker blonde. This song defines that new era: it’s unraveled, it’s erratic, it’s a panic attack in a 2 minute and 47 second package. Your ears will hurt over how loud it is, but you're going to thank him for it. 2hollis is dark and broody and the center of his own music universe, perfectly dramatic without taking himself too seriously. If there’s anything this track does, it shows that 2hollis is undefined but ever changing.
