Album Review: Grey Entropy by Expiration Of A Young Man
Released in 2019, Grey Entropy is a post-rock gem from Egypt that feels like an unfiltered dive into raw emotion. Self-released under their own label, this album doesn’t try too hard to impress—it just does. With its sprawling soundscapes and haunting undertones, it’s the kind of record you put on when you need something heavy but oddly comforting.
Let’s talk about "High on the Geiger Counter," one of the standout tracks here. It builds slowly, almost teasingly, with layers of guitar work that feel both chaotic and deliberate. The track has this eerie vibe, like walking through an abandoned city at dusk—beautiful yet unsettling. What sticks with me is how it crescendos without ever fully exploding; instead, it leaves you hanging, caught between tension and release. That restraint makes it memorable. You don’t expect perfection in post-rock, but damn, this comes close.
Another track worth mentioning is “Debating With the Devil Whether to Die or Not.” Yeah, the title’s a mouthful, but so is the song itself. Clocking in at over eight minutes, it takes its time unraveling. There are moments where the drums kick in hard, pulling you out of any daydreams you might’ve slipped into. Then there’s this recurring riff that feels like déjà vu—familiar yet fresh every time it loops back. By the end, you’re not sure if you’ve been listening for five minutes or fifteen. And honestly? That’s part of the charm.
What strikes me most about Grey Entropy isn’t just the music—it’s the context. Coming out of Egypt, a place not exactly known as a hub for post-rock, adds another layer of intrigue. This isn’t your typical Western indie band trying to mimic Explosions in the Sky. Instead, Expiration Of A Young Man brings something uniquely theirs to the table. Maybe it’s the grittiness, maybe it’s the Middle Eastern influence subtly woven into the fabric of the songs. Whatever it is, it works.
If I had to nitpick, some tracks do blur together after multiple listens. But hey, isn’t that kinda the point of post-rock? It’s less about individual hits and more about creating an atmosphere. Still, I found myself skipping around less than I expected, which says a lot.
Here’s the kicker: halfway through writing this review, I realized I couldn’t stop humming parts of “Rejoice, The City Is Burning.” Weird name for a tune that feels anything but celebratory, right? Yet somehow, it stuck. Like the rest of the album, it’s imperfect, unpredictable, and utterly captivating.
Final thought? Listening to Grey Entropy feels like staring at storm clouds rolling in—you know chaos is coming, but there’s beauty in the anticipation. Just don’t blame me if you lose track of time while doing it.
