The positive guys

BEING its fourth studio album, Above & Beyond is not new to switching from festival bangers to a more melodic project.

As it was with Group Therapy and We Are All We Need, Common Ground is an album that is more likely to have you looking for a relaxing break in the park, under the sunshine and with the cool breeze blowing, rather than a night of dancing and jumping under flashing lights in a club or at a live show.

However, unlike the aforementioned albums, its latest project was simply a result of the sheer amount of music it has come up with over the past months under its Anjunabeats label.

Thankfully, no personal tragedy or underlying message was required to push Jono, Paavo and Tony into releasing another amazing album.

Above & Beyond have gone back to the usual suspects for vocal contributions, and why not? Justine Suissa, Zoe Johnston and Richard Bedford show once again that repetition is not a bad thing and if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. There is an undeniable synergy between the regular faces (or voices) on the album and the style that the trio have made a name for themselves with. They have always been known as the positive guys in the world of trance and with a track title like Happiness Amplified there is no doubt that there hasn’t been a change in character. New collaborator Marty Longstaff also provides an injection of energy on Tightrope, which would be a clear pick for a set opener or closer at any one of their upcoming shows when they go on tour to promote the album.

Speaking of which, Malaysia is one of their stops on their visit to the Far East, at Future Sound Asia Presents Above & Beyond on May 5 at KL Live. Tickets are still available and as always prepare for a party filled with emotions and good vibes.