There’s a kind of joy that comes with hearing from an old friend; especially one who knows how to light a fire in your speakers and a flicker in your heart. So when Social Gravy came back on my radar with their single, “These Are The Times” released on May 31, it felt less like a new release and more like a reunion with that cool, poetic duo who once dropped “California” into our lives last December; sun-kissed, guitar-heavy, and full of heart.
For those new here, let me give you the warmest welcome to the world of Social Gravy. A Los Angeles-based indie rock project helmed by Brad Kohn and Vee Bordukov, two artists who call themselves “romantic rock’n’rollers” and they aren’t kidding. Their music rides a perfect line between high-voltage rock energy and unapologetic emotion. Think riff-driven, Top 40-friendly alt-rock that refuses to lose its soul. Now, let’s dive into “These Are The Times.”
The lines, “A shot from the heart. Found you on a winning roll. We were miles apart. Yet it’s been so long since I felt so close” opens the track and it’s rare to find a song that tells you what it is in its very first lines. But here, Brad Kohn opens with a reflective, love-struck ache, setting the tone of longing, transformation, and a readiness to change. These words tumble out like a memory coming back all at once, and they lay the foundation for an emotionally honest without track.
Brad Kohn’s vocal performance is the centerpiece of “These Are The Times.” There’s purity in his delivery with enough texture to keep things grounded. He doesn’t just sing, he means every word. There’s a sincerity in every phrase, as if he’s not just revisiting a memory, but reliving it as he sings. I could feel the smile behind the mic during the line: “You put the wind in my sails. I lean into your glory.” It’s playful, romantic, and grounded in awe; a rare balance. The vocals stay true to the band’s charm, carrying that same “unfiltered” rock edge that defines their aesthetic, even as they lean more pop in this release.
At its heart, “These Are The Times” is about the pivotal moments; the ones where love makes you reevaluate everything. Inspired by a real-life muse and a spontaneous post-awards night comment, the song leans into the magic of being alive in the now. It’s about choosing connection over isolation, softness over cynicism. “I’m getting lighter each day. Letting go of my stories.” That line, right there, captures the quiet revolution of the heart—what happens when you stop protecting yourself and start living again. The whole song becomes a celebration of that moment of choice, with the repeating mantra “These are the times” acting as both a reminder and a promise.
While “Lone Wolf” brought the fire and grit, “These Are The Times” plays with warmer tones, cleaner production, and a more expansive mix. There’s a glisten to the guitars—subtle delay, bright chords and the percussion is gentle but purposeful, driving the track forward without overpowering the emotion. The arrangement builds with grace. There’s no rush, instead, it takes its time and eases you into the atmosphere of Santa Monica sunsets and golden hour revelations. It’s rock—just the kind that isn’t afraid of romance.
Social Gravy’s return with “These Are The Times” is like watching an old flame burn in a new light—familiar yet fresh, confident yet vulnerable. It’s an exploration of their romantic rock’n’roll ethos at its most refined, and a reminder that sometimes, the softest tracks still hit the hardest. This song isn’t just a love letter. It’s a time capsule of that one breathless moment when everything feels aligned, and you know you’ve found something worth holding onto.
Listen to “These Are The Times” on Spotify or SoundCloud
Follow Social Gravy here for more information
