Following the success of their 5th artist album, ‘Bigger Than All Of Us’ — and off the back of a world tour that saw them play everywhere from US amphitheaters to intimate European clubs — Above & Beyond move swiftly into the next era and go back to their trance roots with next single ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’.
Teaming up again with longtime collaborator Justine Suissa, ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’ takes listeners on a euphoric journey topped seamlessly by the OceanLab songstress’ iconic vocals. Since it’s 2024 debut to a crowd of 15,000 at the Group Therapy 600 celebrations in Mexico City, ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’ became an instant classic and remained a long-awaited ID throughout the trio’s world tour last year.
As the first single off the forthcoming Anjunabeats Vol. 17 compilation, this marks the return of the longstanding label comp series after a four year hiatus. Since its premiere with Anjunabeats Volume 1 back in 2003, the series has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest names in trance and progressive and setting the tone for the legendary British label’s sound for years to come.
Above & Beyond and Justine Suissa ‘When I Look In Your Eyes’ is out now on Anjunabeats.
‘Anjunabeats Volume 17’ is out on June 5 and available to pre-order now on CD & vinyl.
Buy/stream HERE: https://aboveandbeyond.ffm.to/wiliye.oyd
Pre-order 'Anjunabeats Volume 17': https://anjunabeats.co/v17.oyd
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Above & Beyond and Justine Suissa - When I Look In Your Eyes [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Above & Beyond and Justine Suissa’s “When I Look In Your Eyes” emerges as a masterclass in modern trance production, demonstrating an exceptional level of technical craftsmanship across every aspect of its creation. The rhythm, groove, and drive are anchored by a tight 130 BPM pulse that immediately propels the listener into motion, supported by punchy basslines and impeccably programmed percussions. The seamless integration of kick and sub-bass ensures that the track’s low-end energy is both powerful and controlled, creating a foundation that feels effortlessly danceable in both club and festival settings. This rhythmic stability enhances the dynamic energy for set flow, offering DJs reliable cueing and loop potential while maintaining perfect BPM consistency for smooth synchronization. The melodic hooks and harmonic layers are where the track truly showcases the group’s artistry. Ethereal piano chords and magical harp flourishes float above lush pads and crystalline plucks, forming a rich harmonic tapestry that interlocks beautifully with Justine Suissa’s iconic, emotionally charged vocal delivery. The transitions, drops, and build-ups are executed with surgical precision, employing gradual filter sweeps, dynamic automation, and carefully timed reverb swells to maintain energy flow and momentum. Each rise culminates in an euphoric high-sky climax, bathing the listener in sharp synth stabs and expansive atmospherics that amplify the sense of immersion and emotional resonance. From a sound design and production perspective, the track is nothing short of outstanding. Every element is meticulously balanced, demonstrating expert use of effects and spatial design. The stereo field is fully utilized, with wide pads and reverberant effects contrasting against tightly centered percussive elements, enhancing both dynamic range and loudness balance. This careful production approach not only preserves fidelity across playback systems but also heightens the track’s club and festival suitability. Its originality of arrangement and cohesive storytelling is evident as it journeys from an intimate, vocal-led opening to an expansive, festival-ready peak, reinforcing Above & Beyond’s enduring artistic identity. Beyond its technical brilliance, “When I Look In Your Eyes” has profound effects on listeners’ emotional and psychological well-being. Scientific studies have demonstrated that euphoric electronic music can stimulate dopamine release and enhance mood regulation (Salimpoor et al., 2011). The track’s soaring melodies and uplifting harmonic progressions align with research linking music-based interventions to reduced stress levels and improved mental health outcomes (Thoma et al., 2013). In fitness and wellness settings, high-energy, rhythmically consistent tracks such as this can positively influence cardiovascular performance and exercise adherence by triggering entrainment responses and increasing perceived motivation (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). Meanwhile, the delicate emotional nuances in Suissa’s vocal lines foster emotional resonance and introspection, making the track equally suited for cool-down or mindfulness practices where music promotes relaxation and self-reflection (Koelsch, 2014). The combined technical quality, emotional depth, and functional impact of “When I Look In Your Eyes” explain its immediate crowd reaction potential and enduring replay value. Every structural decision—from intros and outros designed for seamless mixing to the carefully engineered drops—reflects an understanding of how to captivate diverse audiences while enhancing their mental and physical wellness. By merging advanced production techniques with an innate sense of melodic storytelling, Above & Beyond reaffirm their role as leading visionaries in trance music.#PureGold Loveit [/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item][item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Suggested Bibliography:
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44–66.
Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 170–180.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
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