REVIEW: Above & Beyond and Spencer Brown feat. RBBTS - Long Way From Home on Anjunabeats

10.0

Overall Score

Above & Beyond’s first original collaboration single since 2010 (for those playing at home, that was ‘Anphonic’ with Kyau & Albert) sees the production powerhouse of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki link up with prolific San Franciscan, Spencer Brown.

‘Long Way From Home’ featuring the vocals of RBBTS (Anne Kalstrup & Hendrik Burkhard) is a gentle, melancholic wave of undulating melodies, underpinned by the quartet’s rounded, dancefloor-ready sound. Debuted at Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy 300 celebrations in Hong Kong, the song considers the experience of loneliness that besets many touring artists. Aptly, the first sketch of the track was laid down by Paavo and Spencer in a Melbourne hotel room - a very, very long way from home.

Says Paavo, “Both Spencer and myself know all too well what it's like being a touring musician.Filled with totally amazing, high moments, but also lonely moments in hotel rooms far away from home. We'd both been travelling for hours feeling somewhat lost and lonely and ended up spending the day together talking about it all. Later that night, we found ourselves making a song about it all in a makeshift hotel room studio”

Spencer Brown has just finished a world tour with Above & Beyond, playing direct support to crowds across North America, Australasia and Europe. A star on the rise, Spencer is already a mainstay on Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats imprint. The prolific 24 year old released his debut artist album, ‘Illusion Of Perfection’, on the label earlier this year.

Says Spencer, “ “Dream on little dreamer." A message that rung in my head after seeing Above & Beyond, as a fan, in 2014. After signing my music with Anjunabeats in 2016, our musical and personal relationship deepened. We’ve toured the world together. Now, we’ve penned this song - drawing deep from our hearts - about the crazy lives we lead.”

Road-tested and fine-tuned in front of sell-out crowds across Europe, ‘Long Way From Home’ feat. RBBTS is an early Christmas treat for Above & Beyond and Spencer Brown fans. Fans need not wait long for more. Both artists have packed schedules for the remainder of the year.

So, the wild ride continues. Thankfully, where there’s good friends and good music, you’re never that far from home.

Check it on Group Therapy 308 with Above & Beyond and Rafaël Frost

Dimitri Kechagias review:

Beat and Rhythm10

Basslines and Groove10

Melody 10

Synths 10

Vocals and Lyrics10

Breakdown10

Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment10

Intensity, Drive and Energy10

Sound-design and Arrangement10

Overall Atmosphere10

Goosebumps / Shivers moments10

Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments10

Originality and Inventiveness10

Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness10

You can’t get this memorable track out of your head10

It has potential to become an anthem or a classic10

Above & Beyond and Spencer Brown feat. RBBTS - Long Way From Home10

Summary

When Above & Beyond decide to collaborate with the upcoming and quickly winning the hearts Spencer Brown supported by excellent emotional vocals by RBBTS then the result can only be as good as Long Way From Home. It's one of those tracks that combine the depth of the bass and driving pulsating groove of Spencer with the strong lyrical content of Above & Beyond tracks along with soul reaching strings and mouthwatering piano chords that will touch you deeply. The breakdown allows the vocal to flourish and slowly the synths rise to the surface to take the track on its incredibly powerful climax that offers hope and gives the comfort to all those who maybe must stay for long periods away from their loved ones. Anthemic and emotional with the melancholic touch and deep bass to send out to outerspace and beyond. #PureGold Love IT

10.0

Overall Score