Ari Henson – Anticipating

Description

“Anticipating” by Ari Henson begins with a delicate arpeggio on electric piano, its crystalline tones hovering over a laid-back, brushed-snare groove. Soft synth pads swell in the background, creating a warm, dusk-lit atmosphere as Henson’s voice enters—breathy, intimate, and richly emotive. Subtle bass pulses lock in with the understated percussion, while Ari’s occasional guitar flourishes and gentle horn swells add depth without ever overwhelming the song’s core intimacy. The production is spacious yet inviting, giving each element room to breathe and allowing Henson’s nuanced vocal inflections to shine through.

Lyrically, “Anticipating” captures the sweet tension of awaiting a moment that feels both inevitable and electrifying. Henson paints a picture of restless nights spent imagining the first meeting, the stolen glance, and the quiet longing that precedes connection. Lines like “I count each heartbeat as it draws me close” and “Every shadow holds your silhouette” turn universal yearning into vivid, cinematic snapshots. By the final, softly repeated refrain, the listener is left suspended in that beautiful in-between state—neither here nor there—but wholly immersed in the promise of what’s to come.

— New Jazz Magazine