A Different Kind by Social Gravy does the impossible by creating a project that delivers on a deep, emotionally resonant meaning while also having a catchy tune that appeals as much on the first listen as it does on the thirty first. If anything, this project ages like fine wine. Different tones and texture become obvious on subsequent listens, allowing the listener to immerse themselves deeper into the world of the project. Instead of following a traditional structure this project feels like a miasma of musical soup.

All of these overlapping and changing tones move around each other and the joy truly comes from the interaction in every moment. In the opening track, Happening Now, the project allows its themes to be known through this languid yet confident exploration of a melancholic core. The drum beat and the electric guitar almost swap places from the traditional expectation during this track. It feels as if the energy is coming from the lead guitar whereas the drums ground it with a more consistent, slow paced execution. This is an excellent example of contrasting elements interacting. It is this juxtaposition that makes this track so appealing. The titular track, A Different Kind, shows the project’s more vocal angle, expressing emotion led by the delivery. There is an enigmatic angle to the vocals, emphasising the narrative feeling more than individual lyrics. Throughout the project, it sort of feels like the vocal is used more as an instrument than as a way to deliver the lyrics. The mixture of having these enigmatic and single minded design choices feels almost contradictory to how easy these songs feel to listen to. There’s sort of an ineffable charisma that defines this project. This charm, I think, is what allows it to be so successful. Each element individually is special but it is the way that