Visionary electronic artist Knock2 has just unleashed his anthemic new single “hold my hand,” the second track to drop from his forthcoming debut album nolimit. The song releases amidst a massive year for Knock2, which has seen the producer headline Ultra Music Festival (in a historic b2b with RL Grime) and Electric Forest, as well as perform at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.
He’s also teamed up with longtime friend and fellow San Diego-native ISOxo for their collaborative project ISOKNOCK, where the two have taken the stages at Coachella, ULTRA Japan, and North Coast Music Festival (which saw them perform from a suspended shipping container), surprise drop their acclaimed LP 4EVR, and sell 50,000+ combined tickets for their upcoming headlining San Francisco and San Diego performances.
Following nolimit’s lead single “feel U luv me” (which cleverly sampled PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “TBH”), “hold my hand” has been a highly-anticipated ID since Knock2 began teasing the track at Lollapalooza and HARD Summer in 2023, his subsequent sold-out, headlining ROOM202 tour, as well as at his co-headlining, four consecutive sold-out shows at Shrine Auditorium last fall.
The track combines soaring, euphoric synth chord progressions with angelic vocals courtesy of Sophia Giripari, transporting listeners to a nostalgic era of cathartic Main Stage anthems. Representing a modern take on the progressive and electro-house stylings of the early-2010s, the track reinvigorates that vintage sound with Knock2’s signature ear for indelible melodies and vibrant instrumental production.
“hold my hand” kicks off with fuzzy beat chops before bringing Giripari’s vocals over submerged synth chords. The track then builds with infectious synth leads and robotic vocal layering before dropping into its explosive central section – a blazing cacophony of electro-style bass lines, sizzling hi-hats, and one of the year’s most catchy chord patterns.
“hold my hand” is an acute representation of Knock2’s shrewd production chops, and an apt tone-setter for the world-building of the nolimit era. Offering listeners an immersive sonic and visual palette that evokes the renegade, DIY spaces from which Knock2 cut his teeth, the upcoming LP’s creative ethos reflects the boundary-pushing artist’s ability to shatter conventions and empower fans to embrace their true selves.
The driving conceptual narrative behind nolimit truly begins to unfold via the vibrant “hold my hand” music video. Directed by 3D animator Alec West, the “hold my hand” music video brings the nolimit universe to life via West’s trademark, low-poly animation style.
The video introduces fans to the character Dash – a mysterious hacker who resides in his hideout deep within a city’s junkyard. As the video progresses, we see Dash encounter a girl who joins him on adventures across the metropolis – a lively montage told through vibrant sequences of animation that immerse the viewer into nolimit’s retro-futuristic worldview.
Fans can hear Knock2 play “hold my hand” and other nolimit tracks at his upcoming collaborative sets with ISOKNOCK, who have special, multi-day events planned at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Auditorium and San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. The San Francisco Bay Area 4EVR shows will take place from Wednesday, November 20 – Friday, November 22, 2024, and the homecoming, sold out San Diego 4EVR run, which will feature support from Madeon, RL Grime, Peekaboo, Snow Strippers, glaive, Brutalismus 3000, and more, will take place from Saturday December 7 – Sunday, December 8, 2024.
These remaining ISOKNOCK shows will conclude a 2024 tour run in support of the duo’s recent debut album, 4EVR, which saw them perform at sold out events and festivals across the globe.
At only 24 years old, Knock2 has spent the past half-decade honing his innovative production skills, releasing global hits like “dashstar*” and “Rock Ur World” (festival mainstays that have amassed a combined 100 million+ streams across platforms), and performing at major festivals around the world. Now, with the impending release of nolimit, the trailblazing artist is gearing up for the biggest creative statement of his young artist career.
Knock2 tour dates
10/25/24: Dallas, TX – The Silo in Deep Ellum (b2b with RL Grime)
11/20/24 – 11/22/24: San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Auditorium (with ISOKNOCK)
12/7/24 – 12/8/24: San Diego, CA – Snapdragon Stadium (with ISOKNOCK)
