Above & Beyond’s debut album single, Quicksand (Don’t Go) with longtime collaborator Zoë Johnston, receives its first official remix by Canadian electronic music duo Sultan + Shepard.
Mainstays on Lane 8’s This Never Happened label, Sultan + Shepard are known for their emotive, cinematic melodic and progressive house sounds. Their remix of Quicksand is no exception, bringing a darker, more progressive sound to the original vocal trance club record, while still honoring the ethereal quality of Zoë Johnston’s signature ethereal vocals.
The track debuted as an ID remix in Lane 8 Summer 2025 Mixtape.
Sultan + Shepard are set to open for Above & Beyond on their ‘Bigger Than All Of Us’ North American amphitheater tour at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater in Denver, CO on September 27.
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Above & Beyond and Zoë Johnston - Quicksand (Don't Go) (Sultan + Shepard Remix) [/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]
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Above & Beyond and Zoë Johnston - Quicksand (Don't Go) (Sultan + Shepard Remix) [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Above & Beyond’s debut album single, “Quicksand (Don’t Go)” featuring Zoë Johnston, finds new life through its first official remix by Canadian duo Sultan + Shepard. Known for their cinematic and emotive approach to melodic and progressive house, the duo elevates the track into a 124 BPM progressive house gem that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally resonant. From a production standpoint, the remix is meticulously crafted. The track opens with clean, driving kick drums paired with tight, punchy percussion layers, immediately setting a solid foundation for DJs looking for a track that blends seamlessly into a set. A deep, pulsating bassline anchors the groove, while subtle sub-bass rumbles create a hypnotic undercurrent. Atmospheric pads and cinematic textures slowly rise, building a sense of anticipation without overcrowding the mix. The breakdown is a masterclass in progressive tension-building, where reverberated plucks, filtered synths, and carefully automated effects give way to the ethereal presence of Zoë Johnston’s vocals, which are treated with delicate delay and reverb to amplify their emotional weight. The track’s arrangement is tailor-made for progressive house DJ sets. Its smooth transitions, long phrasing, and dynamic swells allow for creative mixing, while the restrained yet powerful drop provides a dramatic moment on the dancefloor without breaking the track’s hypnotic flow. The climactic build into the final drop combines layered arpeggiated leads, bright percussive elements, and dark melodic motifs, ensuring the energy peaks in a way that feels both euphoric and introspective. Why it’s an awesome track for progressive house DJs: it strikes the perfect balance between melodic emotion and club functionality. Its clean mixdown and carefully engineered low-end make it both powerful and versatile in a set, while its cinematic soundscape and haunting vocal treatment give it a signature sound that captivates the crowd. From start to finish, this remix exemplifies the modern progressive house ethos—deep, emotional, and dancefloor-ready. #PureGold – A must-play for melodic and progressive house sets. Love IT[/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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