Band to Watch: Heavenly Beat

If 2011 was the year of a fantastic EP following a LP, 2012 is officially the year of the side projects and new endeavors.  From Father John Misty to Polica to Frankie Rose, we’ve had no shortage of fantastic records from new acts with familiar faces.  But perhaps no group has had better individualistic efforts come out than Brooklyn based Beach Fossils.  With guitarist Zachary Cole Smith’s band DIIV about to release their fabulous debut album Oshin next week, another member of the group is stepping into the forefront with something new.  Bassist John Pena, recording under the moniker Heavenly Beat, will release his debut LP Talent on July 24^th via Captured Tracks.

While DIIV has taken a page out of the Beach Fossils book and gone with a reverb heavy guitar, John has ditched that sound in favor of synth filled disco pop.  “Messiah” was the first single released off the album in early May which was followed up by “Tradition” late last week.  His label describes the sound as “attractive music for attractive people” and I have a hard time disagreeing with that assessment.  Aesthetically pleasing to the core, this is music hitting at the visceral beauty all around.  And who doesn’t love smooth, soothing pop music to sink into?

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Written by Greg Dahman