Behind Every Yes, the debut album from indie rockers Social Gravy is an engaging and varied collection of songs. The two-man band consisting of Belarusian musician Vee Bordukov and British producer and songwriter Brad Kohn breaks into the crowded music scene with a record that blends genres and avoids to rest comfortably on indie rock worn out clichés.
The Los Angeles based duo cite bands as The Beatles, The Black Keys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Neil Young as their influences and it’s the contrasting styles of blues, hard rock and country that draw the listeners’ attention to Behind Every Yes. The album opens strong with Stone Cold, a track most bands would save for a big finish. It starts as a slow, emotionally dynamic song with Brad Kohn’s voice taking centre stage but just after the two minute mark it kicks into high gear with an indulgent guitar solo. It’s the standout track in the record and it encourages listeners to stay and find how the album unfolds.
On My Love there is more than a touch of Black Keys in the air with blues infused guitar riffs and Vee Bordukov’s guitar creating an indelible mark on the song. There are a few other cuts in the album such as Why Wait, where the Red Hot Chilli Peppers vibes are hard to miss, that do tribute to their favourite bands. But the album succeeds best when they stray farther from their influences to deliver songs with their own distinctive flavour. It happens on tracks such as Beautiful, Make it Rain and Sunrise in LA, with the former and the latter evoking nostalgic emotions.
There’s something to be said about stylistic diversity on Behind Every Yes, and Social Gravy say it well.
