“PROMINENCE” is the 2nd full length in as many years from Texas transplant John Pena. It was recorded/mixed in the same apartment(after a failed attempt to mix in a “real” studio) as last years TALENT over the first few months of 2013 after shelving a full length’s worth of songs for not being sonically or emotionally interesting enough.
Using Primitive Radio God’s “Standing Outside A Broken Telephone Booth With Money In My Hand” as a sonic touch point John built a new album from the ground up utilizing chopped/sampled drum breaks and, for the first time, some non laptop based keyed instruments(piano, mellotron) along with H.B. main stays classical guitar and steel drums. Live member Christian Barsi and Daniel Schlett of Strange Weather Studio both contributed keys to a few songs but the outcome is still a very solo sounding project.
Arrangements is where PROMINENCE shines. Managing to sound inventive and not quite like anything else with such a limited palette is a rare and commendable feat. From the slide guitar and pulsing nylon string samples of “Honest” to the flamingo call and deep kick combo of the 2nd half of “Complete” Heavenly Beat keeps the whole affair sounding fresh, interesting and natural.
Lyrically, PROMINENCE is not an escapist affair. It’s a very direct look into someone dealing with poor body image(Thin), infidelity(Honest) and emotional/physical/sexual recklessness(Prominence). It’s not asking or answering any questions. Just existing within itself, fully a where of it’s shortcomings
Expectation
Heavenly Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
thrown into life
lean on the hope of
leisure that's
honest
think about how all this time
what i expected from myself
dread the thought of all we'll find
breathing you in
was the surest sign
that even your scent
could make me feel
honest
i wanted that and so much more
won't accept that i lost out
it hurts to think that all i've felt
was only leading me nowhere
the expectations of
2 bodies gliding in the dark
the expectations of
what I imagined from the start
The lyrics of Heavenly Beat's song Expectation delve into themes of displacement, hope, and disappointment. The opening lines describe the feeling of being forced out of one's comfort zone and into the unpredictable reality of life. The following lines provide a glimmer of hope, as the singer leans on the honest leisure they strive for. However, this hope is quickly followed by dread, as the singer reflects on their expectations of themselves and the unknown. The line "if you go reaching in that darkness" suggests that reaching for something unknown can lead to uncertainty and discomfort.
The chorus shifts to a focus on a romantic relationship, with the singer breathing in the scent of their partner as a sign of intimacy and trust. However, the stanza also expresses a desire for more than just physical intimacy, as the singer wanted more from the relationship. The final lines bring the themes of the song together, with a reflection on the expectations placed on relationships and how they may not always live up to what was imagined.
Overall, the song explores themes of displacement, hope, and disappointment through personal reflections on expectations and romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
torn out of comfort
Forced out of one's place of ease and familiarity
thrown into life
Placed into the unpredictable and constantly changing world
lean on the hope of
Rely on the optimistic expectation of something better
leisure that's honest
Honest, genuine relaxation and enjoyment
think about how all this time
Reflect on the length of time that has passed
what i expected from myself
The hopes and aspirations one had for their own actions and accomplishments
dread the thought of all we'll find
Fear the idea of discovering something unpleasant or unexpected
if you go reaching in that darkness
If one searches for answers in uncertain or unknown places
breathing you in
Taking in the essence and true nature of another person
was the surest sign
The most certain indication
that even your scent
Even the subtlest aspects of someone can have a profound impact
could make me feel
Evoke emotions or sensations
honest
True, genuine, and sincere
i wanted that and so much more
Desired that experience and much more than what was given
won't accept that i lost out
Refuse to acknowledge or believe that one has failed or missed out
it hurts to think that all i've felt
Painful to consider that all the emotions and experiences were for nothing
was only leading me nowhere
Only resulted in a directionless and aimless path
the expectations of
The hopes and anticipations for
2 bodies gliding in the dark
Two individuals moving together effortlessly in the absence of light
the expectations of
The optimistic desires and projections for
what I imagined from the start
The idealistic vision of how things were to be from the very beginning
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.