Social Gravy is the Los Angeles based indie rock project of Brad Kohn and Vee Bordukov, a duo who have steadily carved out a reputation for blending riff-driven energy with melodic sophistication. Self-described as “romantic rock’n’rollers,” they strike a balance between raw, heartfelt emotion and polished musical craft, delivering tracks that carry both accessibility and artistic depth. Praised for their cool yet authentic sound, the band has shown a clear ability to tap into wider mainstream appeal without sacrificing integrity, as evidenced by critical recognition and a growing body of work. With past releases such as Fools, Behind Every Yes, and Let It Out, Social Gravy has consistently expanded their reach while staying true to their distinctive voice within modern rock.
The EP “A Different Kind” by Social Gravy, released on September 4th, 2020, stands as a striking example of the duo’s ability to craft music that balances energy, emotion, and sophistication in equal measure. Marking its five-year anniversary, the project is being highlighted once again in anticipation of the band’s forthcoming release “The Pebble” EP, which is set to arrive later this year. This renewed spotlight reaffirms the lasting impact of “A Different Kind,” reminding listeners of its artistic depth while building excitement for what is to come. From the moment it begins, the EP establishes itself as a work that is both immersive and immediate, drawing audiences into a carefully shaped soundscape that refuses to lose relevance with time.
The production of “A Different Kind” plays a pivotal role in its enduring quality. Rather than leaning on excessive polish, the sound remains organic yet meticulously balanced, allowing each instrument to shine with clarity and presence. Guitars move fluidly between atmospheric textures and sharp, distorted edges, while the rhythm section provides a steady but flexible backbone that adapts to each song’s shifts in mood. The mix creates a wide sonic space where reverb soaked harmonies can breathe alongside raw rock energy, ensuring that the EP flows seamlessly from one moment to the next. It is this interplay between expansive ambience and direct intensity that gives the collection its richness, ensuring that listeners remain engaged throughout its four tracks.
A Different Kind EP Track List:
Happening Now:
“Happening Now” opens the EP “A Different Kind” with a beautifully haunting sense of restraint, drawing the listener into its reflective atmosphere through understated instrumental layers. The introduction is built on soft, almost meditative guitar tones, paired with spacious production that allows every note to linger in the air with clarity. Vocals enter gently, delivered with intimacy and sincerity, as though speaking directly into the ear of the listener. This early simplicity serves as a powerful foundation, giving the song a quiet gravity that immediately commands attention while leaving space for the track’s eventual expansion into something much more sweeping and grand.
As the song progresses, new textures begin to bloom, steadily transforming its minimalist origins into a fuller and more immersive soundscape. Atmospheric guitar swells weave in and out, subtle percussion builds momentum, and layered harmonies begin to expand the sonic canvas. The chorus rises like a wave, surrounding the listener in a choir-like warmth that feels both anthemic and deeply personal. This carefully controlled progression mirrors the track’s lyrical arc, moving from introspective reflection toward a wider embrace of collective and human themes. It is not just a song of quiet thought but one that crescendos into a communal experience, reminding listeners of the importance of unity and shared understanding.
Lyrically, “Happening Now” encourages listeners to shift focus from distant abstractions to the immediacy of the present, grounding lofty concepts in the relatable notion of the here and now. This marriage of message and music gives the track its enduring impact, as the rising instrumentation echoes the growing urgency of its call to awareness. What makes the song particularly compelling is its ability to balance organic, heartfelt songwriting with a polished and accessible delivery, making it resonate equally as an intimate ballad or a soaring anthem. By setting the tone with this track, Social Gravy establishes the EP’s central theme of reflection meeting action, emotion meeting craft, and subtlety meeting scale, ensuring that “Happening Now” stands as both a foundation and a highlight within the collection.
Anywayz:
“Anywayz” delivers a striking shift in tone within the EP “A Different Kind,” trading the dreamy expansiveness of the opener for a burst of energy and grit that immediately grabs the listener’s attention. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the track wastes no time in asserting itself, launching straight into distorted guitar riffs and a pounding rhythm that injects pace and rawness into the record. The stripped down instrumentation is forceful and direct, leaning heavily on crunchy guitars and driving percussion to sustain its relentless momentum. This urgency creates a sharp contrast to the reflective atmosphere that precedes it, proving Social Gravy’s ability to diversify their sound while maintaining a cohesive identity.
The lyrical core of “Anywayz” is just as urgent and volatile as its instrumentation, capturing the turbulence of a relationship that is at once overwhelming and irresistible. The repeated sentiment of “At times it’s overwhelming, but I love you anywayz” encapsulates the contradictions of intimacy, where conflict and passion are inseparably intertwined. Rather than painting love as simple or serene, the song embraces its messy complexity, acknowledging the chaos while celebrating the bond that endures through it. This confessional honesty pairs perfectly with the jagged, restless energy of the music, as the rawness of the instrumentation mirrors the emotional intensity being expressed. Every note and lyric feels charged, as though both are wrestling with the same overwhelming force of desire and devotion.
Despite its brevity, “Anywayz” makes a lasting impact by refusing to waste a single moment, filling its short runtime with concentrated emotion and unfiltered rock grit. Its compactness amplifies its cathartic effect, ensuring that when the song ends, it leaves behind a sense of urgency and release. Positioned within the EP, it acts as a jolt of adrenaline, breaking up the expansiveness of other tracks with a concentrated punch of distortion and grit. In doing so, it highlights Social Gravy’s versatility, showing that they can pivot effortlessly from layered, atmospheric balladry to raw, energetic outbursts without breaking the flow of the record. “Anywayz” is not just a brief interlude of intensity but a powerful statement of emotional and musical contrast, demonstrating the duo’s skill in balancing vulnerability with volatility.
Vocally, the performances on “A Different Kind” serve as the emotional anchor of the project, showcasing a range that captures both vulnerability and strength. The softer, confessional moments are delivered with intimacy, drawing the listener into the emotional core of the lyrics, while the soaring choruses amplify passion and intensity, lifting the music to greater heights. The vocals feel deeply connected to the instrumentation, functioning not only as narrative guides but also as integral sonic elements that merge with guitars, bass, and percussion to create an immersive whole. This dynamic approach ensures that each track carries its own emotional weight, while collectively contributing to the EP’s cohesive journey.
The lyrical themes found within “A Different Kind” reflect a blend of introspection and universal resonance. Often personal and reflective, the words are elevated by arrangements that rise and fall in tandem with their emotional direction, creating a sense of storytelling that feels authentic and impactful. In the quieter passages, the lyrics are allowed to take center stage, carried by delicate instrumentals that heighten their poignancy. In the more anthemic moments, the band leans into its full power, with bold instrumentation reinforcing the emotional urgency of the message. This careful alignment between lyrical honesty and musicality underscores the attention to detail that defines the EP.
A Different Kind is a Timeless Showcase Of Social Gravy’s Ability To Fuse Emotion, Energy, And Craftsmanship Into A Cohesive Rock Journey
Ultimately, “A Different Kind” endures as more than just a snapshot of Social Gravy’s artistry in 2020. It is a collection that continues to feel fresh, accessible, and rewarding, offering hooks that immediately captivate alongside intricate instrumental layers that invite repeated exploration. Its renewed recognition in 2025 not only celebrates its five-year legacy but also sets the stage for the band’s upcoming chapter with “The Pebble” EP. By looking back at “A Different Kind,” listeners are reminded of Social Gravy’s ability to weave emotion, craftsmanship, and versatility into a body of work that feels both immediate and timeless, while also anticipating the evolution of their sound in the years ahead.
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