Ohio alternative artist Knox is embracing his Midwest roots with his latest single, “4.3 Forty,” the newest preview of his forthcoming sophomore album, My Midwest Best, arriving October 2. Accompanied by an official music video filmed in his hometown of New Carlisle, Ohio, the track turns the familiar sting of unrequited love into a high-energy pop-punk anthem, mixed with Knox’s signature sense of humor.
Pre-order/pre-save My Midwest Best, here.
The song’s title comes from the NFL’s 40-yard dash, referencing the incredible speed of an athlete who can cover the distance in just over four seconds. Knox applies that same idea to a much less athletic situation… telling someone you love them, only to watch them immediately run for the hills.
“‘4.3 Forty’ is about someone who talks like they’re all in until things get real,” Knox explains on the track. “The second I told her I loved her, it felt like she ran a 4.3 forty in the opposite direction. It’s definitely one of the funniest concepts on the album, but underneath that it’s really about realizing not everyone is ready for the same kind of commitment.”
“4.3 Forty” arrives as the latest glimpse into My Midwest Best, following “Go For Broke,” “Long Story Short,” and “After the After Party.”
The album draws directly from the records Knox grew up listening to, including the work of Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, The All-American Rejects, and other defining pop-punk and emo acts. Rather than simply recreating the sound of that era, Knox brings those influences into his own modern songwriting, creating a record that looks backward while firmly existing in the present. “My Midwest Best is my proudest work to date,” Knox previously shared. “It’s the culmination of all the music I grew up listening to and all the music I learned how to make along the way. A representation of where I’m from and what it sounded like growing up in the middle of nowhere, Ohio.”
With My Midwest Best arriving October 2, Knox won’t have to wait long to take that new era on the road with his biggest, global headlining run to date. Knox’s Midwest Best Live On Tour, kicks off October 9 at Boston’s Paradise Rock Club before traveling throughout North America. The tour will continue into 2027 with European, U.K., and Australian dates, featuring support from Emi Grace, Southcourt, and Modernlove on select dates.
North America Tour Dates:
10/9–––Boston, MA–––Paradise Rock Club*
10/10–––Philadelphia, PA–––Union Transfer*
10/12–––Washington, DC–––9:30 Club*
10/13–––Brooklyn, NY–––Brooklyn Bowl*
10/15–––Columbus, OH–––Kemba Live!*
10/16–––Detroit, MI–––Sant Andrew’s Hall*
10/17–––Chicago, IL–––House of Blues^
10/20–––Denver, CO–––Ogden Theatre*
10/21–––Salt Lake City, UT–––The Depot*
10/23–––Boise, ID–––Knitting Factory*
10/24–––Portland, OR–––Wonder Ballroom*
10/25–––Seattle, WA–––Neumos*
10/27–––Sacramento, CA–––Ace of Spades*
10/29–––Los Angeles, CA–––The Fonda Theatre*
10/30–––San Diego, CA–––House of Blues*
10/31–––Phoenix, AZ–––The Van Buren*
11/2–––Dallas, TX–––House of Blues*
11/3–––Austin, TX–––Emo’s*
11/5–––Atlanta, GA–––The Masquerade*
11/6–––Charlotte, NC–––Neighborhood Theatre*
11/7–––Nashville, TN–––Marathon Music Works*
Europe Tour Dates:
2/7–––Dublin, IE–––Button Factory+
2/9–––Glasgow, UK–––Garage+
2/10–––Manchester, UK–––Manchester Academy 2+
2/11–––Birmingham, UK–––O2 Institute 2+
2/13–––London, UK–––O2 Forum Kentish Town+
2/15–––Amsterdam, NL–––Melkweg Oz+
2/16–––Cologne, DE–––Kantine+
2/18–––Berlin, DE–––Columbia Theatre+
2/19–––Munich, DE–––Technikum+
Australia Tour Dates:
3/3–––Melbourne, AUS–––Corner Hotel
3/4–––Sydney, AUS–––Factory Theatre
3/5–––Brisbane, AUS–––Crowbar
* with Emi Grace
^ with Southcourt
+ with Modernlove
Pre-order/pre-save is available here.
My Midwest Best Track List:
- Go For Broke
- What Do I Know
- After The After Party
- Better Than Me
- Long Story Short
- 4.3 Forty
- Mixed Feelings
- I Think You Should Leave
- Ready Or Not
- Gone Missing
- Vultures
- Sad Song
KEEP UP WITH KNOX: Instagram // Youtube // TikTok // X // Spotify // Website
