Look, it’s rare that music manages to feel both intensely personal and universally relatable, but A Different Kind from Social Gravy? That’s exactly what it does in spades. This isn’t just an EP; it’s a journey that zigzags between the personal and the grand, the emotional fireworks and the quiet introspection, and it does it all with a surprising amount of swagger.
The whole thing kicks off with “Happening Now,” which grabs you by the collar and drags you into this cinematic, just-about-to-shift moment. It’s big. It’s anthemic. The song wraps themes into a melody that sticks in your head and feels almost effortless. It’s intellectual, sure, but it’s also got this smooth, infectious hook that pulls you in without you even realizing it.
We then pivot into “Love You Better” which is this small, intimate scene where you’re up close, feeling the heat of attraction and devotion. The song moves from acoustic to electric, and it’s like the arrangement gets the push-pull dynamic of the relationship it’s describing. It’s sensual, but not in a shallow, throwaway way. There’s real vulnerability here; the kind that makes you feel like you’re hearing someone’s inner monologue. It’s just a really tender, human moment. Social Gravy proves that they can write more than just epic anthems; they can nail something deeply personal without losing the emotional connection.
Then there’s the third track “Anywayz”. It’s raw, it’s frenetic, it’s messy and it’s beautiful. The guitars hit like a hammer, and the drums are like a pulse you can’t escape. It’s got that feeling of emotional volatility that only certain relationships can produce, where the highs are dizzying and the lows are crushing. It should fall apart, but it doesn’t. Instead, Social Gravy takes this chaos and somehow makes it feel controlled, deliberate even. It’s the kind of messy beauty that makes you want to turn it up to 11 and just feel.
And then we get to the title track, “A Different Kind,” which wraps the whole EP up in a perfect bow. If the rest of the songs were about the personal and the romantic, this one simply pulls back to get into the big questions of identity, love, uncertainty. It’s existential in the best way and it’s a daring choice for a closer, and it works. The track is quiet but powerful, a revelation that carries more weight than any anthem could.
Throughout A Different Kind, Social Gravy pulls off a pretty remarkable trick: they manage to stay cool and composed while also confronting the emotional weight of their themes. The production is sleek, but not so shiny that it glosses over the rawness of their message. This isn’t music that’s trying to spoon-feed you emotions or preach to you from a soapbox; it’s a conversation. One that spans love, identity, and connection; all the while keeping their signature sound intact. It’s cinematic, it’s melodic, and there’s just enough grit to give it the weight it needs.
If you’re into the edgier, more emotional side of indie rock (for my personal comparison point, think Wild World-era Bastille, but with more soul and less polish), Social Gravy is doing it right. They’re not here for a quick viral hit or a fleeting moment. They’ve got staying power, and A Different Kind proves they’re ready to deliver songs that stick with you long after the last note fades.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for various publications around the world, the former lead writer of review blogspace Atop The Treehouse and content creator for Manila Bulletin.
