REVIEW: Above & Beyond - Tranquility Base Vol. 1 out on Anjunabeats

10.0

Overall Score

Above & Beyond return to the dancefloor with ‘Tranquility Base Vol. 1’, a collection of five heavy-hitting club records, calling back to their instrumental roots.

The GRAMMY-nominated founders of Anjunabeats have been quiet of late. Following six months of studio hibernation after their sold-out Group Therapy 500 celebrations at Banc of California Stadium last October, Jono, Paavo and Tony have been busy working on their next extended project. Enter ‘Tranquility Base Vol. 1’, a collection of five heavy-hitting club records, calling back to their instrumental roots.

Drawing inspiration from all areas of contemporary electronic music, ‘Tranquillity Base Vol. 1’ features five tracks debuted in front of 25,000 fans in Los Angeles last October; ranging from the rolling grooves of ‘Spin Off’, to the darker atmospheric techno of ‘VLEKNO’.

The name of the EP series references A&B’s beloved Tranquility Base alias, which was revered for its contribution to the trance genre, including iconic records such as ‘Surrender’, ‘Oceanic’ and ‘Razorfish’. The ‘Tranquility Base EP’ series showcases the current instrumental records firmly lodged in Jono, Paavo and Tony’s record boxes.

“In the same way the quieter moments on our albums have always been a major part of Above & Beyond, the bigger dancefloor moments have also been a hallmark of our sound” says the trio.

The full 5-track EP, ‘Tranquility Base Vol. 1’, is available now across all platforms.

Above & Beyond will headline The Gorge Amphitheatre on July 21-23 for the biggest iteration yet of their Group Therapy Weekender festival, alongside label stars from Anjunabeats, Anjunadeep and Reflections. Tickets are on sale now (aboveandbeyond.nu/gtw).

Dimitri Kechagias review:

Beat and Rhythm10

Basslines and Groove10

Melody 10

Synths 10

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

Radio Friendly10

Vocals & lyrics10

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

It has potential to become an anthem or a classic10

Above & Beyond - Tranquility Base Vol. 1 10

Summary

When the always at the forefront Above & Beyond return to their club roots can only be time for celebration for all the progressive trance lovers. The tracks included in the Tranquility Base Vol. 1 are packed with ethereal wistful cinematic strings, melancholic piano melodies, big euphoric synthy stabs, electro infused breaks and manic drops with heavy thumping basslines, pounding heartbreaking and bodyshaking drums full of grooves and unmistakable rhythm that simply make you jump in your living room or at the forefront of your favourite clubfloor. Each track on the EP has its own distinctive flavour with common factor, their ability to make big crowds unite and share on the dancefloor the widest smiles and finest sexy dance moves on the dancefloor! Welcome summer with Above & Beyond forward thinking dance gems. Already at the top of the beatport charts! #PureGold Love IT

10.0

Overall Score