Boy group EPEX have taken the unusual route of releasing two full-length albums this year. And when we add new title track Universe to the list, the guys will have promoted a total of five (!) songs with music videos in 2024. That’s quite prolific. Not all the material has been equally great, but this spring’s double punch of Youth2Youth and Breathe In Love were among their strongest releases.
Universe takes off from where Youth2Youth ended, harnessing a similar drama that favors emotive melodies and explosive production. This is my favorite sound for EPEX and the song’s heart is definitely in the right place. I love its mix of distorted guitar and heavy percussion. There’s a satisfying heft to the instrumental that keeps things chugging along and adds a nice sense of scope to the arrangement.
However, Youth2Youth‘s success hinged upon an incredible set of melodies. Universe struggles in this regard, placing much of its emphasis on a repeated “universe universe” hook that traces similar melodic lines to its chorus. Over the course of the song, this repetition becomes less effective, lacking the same breadth as the production. Universe is still a solid track, but it’s clear EPEX blew through their best material during the first half of the year.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8.25