“This album is us appreciating how amazing this thing we have is. The realisation of how lucky we are that we get to be part of something like this for 25 years, and to have built a community that cares for each other in the way it does. It’s not about any of us individually. When we all work together to make something happen, something bigger happens.” - Jono, Paavo and Tony – Above & Beyond.
If much of the mindset and mantra behind Above & Beyond over the last quarter of a century has been born from the idea of connection, then their fifth artist album ‘Bigger Than All Of Us’ is best summed up in one word: reconnection.
Following the success of first single ‘Quicksand (Don’t Go)', the GRAMMY-nominated trio are back, reconnecting with longtime collaborator Zoë Johnston who has worked with Above & Beyond since 2004’s classic ’No One On Earth’.
“We've been working with her for 22 years now, so she's a part of the band.” explains Above & Beyond. "By that token, a song with her vocals is a very reassuring thing for our audience."
Released just days after the announcement of Above & Beyond’s ‘Bigger Than All Of Us’ tour, the catchy riff on ‘Carry Me Home’ will soundtrack the band’s campaign around the 13 stunning North American amphitheaters.
Pre-sale will open Wednesday, April 30 at 10am local time, sign up to access via HERE
‘BIGGER THAN ALL OF US’
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Aug 15 - Deer Lake Park - Vancouver, BC
Aug 16 - Cascades Amphitheater - Ridgefield, WA
Aug 22 - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island - Chicago, IL
Aug 29 - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON
Sept 5 - Forest Hills Stadium - New York, NY
Sept 6 - Leader Bank Pavilion - Boston, MA
Sept 12 - Orlando Amphitheater - Orlando, FL
Sept 13 - Lakewood Amphitheatre - Atlanta, GA
Sept 19 - Germania Insurance Amphitheater - Austin, TX
Sept 20 - Dos Equis Pavillion - Dallas, TX
Sept 27 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre - Denver, CO
Oct 2 - The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - San Diego, CA
Oct 4 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Above & Beyond and Zoë Johnston - Carry Me Home [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Above & Beyond and Zoë Johnston have once again joined forces for "Carry Me Home," the second single from the highly anticipated album Bigger Than All Of Us. This track is a testament to their signature sound, seamlessly blending emotive vocals with intricate trance production techniques. At 130 BPM, "Carry Me Home" is an energetic proglifting trance masterpiece. The track kicks off with pulsating basslines that are meticulously side-chained to allow the kick drum to punch through the mix with clarity and warmth. The live-like percussion adds an organic texture, achieved through a combination of sampled drum hits and real recorded elements layered for depth. The punchy kicks, likely crafted with a combination of analog drum machines and digital enhancement, provide a solid foundation that drives the track forward. The melodic structure is equally compelling. Warm, rock-inspired guitar riffs interlace with nostalgic, trance-infused synth leads—crafted through analog synthesizers and virtual instruments—to create a richly layered soundscape. Above & Beyond's expertise in sound design is evident in the melodramatic, cinematic string arrangements. These strings are likely a blend of high-quality orchestral samples and live recordings, processed with reverb and modulation effects to evoke a sweeping emotional resonance. Zoë Johnston's vocals are the heart of "Carry Me Home." Her voice is captured with pristine clarity, probably using high-end condenser microphones to retain the warmth and subtle nuances. The vocal production involves tasteful reverb and delay effects, providing an ethereal quality that complements the instrumental arrangement. The lyrics, poignant and heartfelt, are structured to be memorable, making it effortless for fans to sing along after just a few listens. The track’s climax is a masterclass in trance progression. An expertly executed build-up using risers, filter automation, and tension-building percussion transitions into an anthemic drop. The drop is characterized by its euphoric melody, underpinned by lush pads and harmonically rich synth layers, creating a sense of grandeur and melancholic beauty. "Carry Me Home" not only stands out as a studio production but also holds immense potential for live performances, especially in unplugged or acoustic formats. Its dynamic arrangement and emotional depth make it a versatile piece that resonates with audiences both on the dance floor and in intimate live settings. This track is undeniably #PureGold, showcasing Above & Beyond’s mastery in blending technical precision with heartfelt artistry. #LoveIT [/content]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item][item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[/review]
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