Scottish producer Grum returns to Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats imprint, alongside legendary singer/songwriter Amba Shepherd for their new collaboration ‘Slow Motion’.
A prolific progressive house producer and longtime Anjuna roster act, Grum releases his first song on the label in over four years. First joining the label in 2015 with his ‘Trine EP’ Grum quickly grew to a respected name in the scene. He shared stages around the world with Above & Beyond as one of their frequent direct support acts and his music has routinely been supported by; Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, CamelPhat, MK & more.
‘Slow Motion’ is Grum’s hyped return, teased by Above & Beyond at their recent shows in South America as well as the trio’s upcoming shows at EDC Las Vegas, their Australian tour and on further dates through North America. Grum has also road tested the track himself over 2025 and early 2026 at his show across the United States.
Grum & Amba Shepherd ‘Slow Motion’ is out now on Anjunabeats.
Buy/Stream 'Slow Motion': https://anjunabeats.co/slowmotion.oyd
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Grum & Amba Shepherd - Slow Motion [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Grum & Amba Shepherd’s collaboration “Slow Motion” represents a masterful return to Anjunabeats, delivering a 132 BPM progressive trance experience that fuses melodic techno and progressive house elements into a cohesive sonic journey. The track’s rhythm and groove are immediately captivating, with its dirty moody basslines and chunky kicks providing a firm foundation that propels the record forward. The bouncy percussion and tightly locked drive ensure a kinetic energy that translates seamlessly to club and festival environments, where synchronization and BPM consistency are crucial for DJs. Each drop, build-up, and transition is sculpted with precision, allowing the energy flow to rise and fall in a way that maintains momentum while offering moments of euphoric release. The production is equally remarkable for its melodic hooks and harmonic layers; Grum’s synth work pairs lush, cinematic strings with expansive leads, while subtle harmonics and pads create a sense of depth and immersion. Amba Shepherd’s vocal performance sits perfectly atop the mix, her ethereal tone carrying emotional resonance that complements the instrumental storytelling. The arrangement is original yet highly functional, with clear intro and outro structures for DJ use, well-placed cue points, and loop-friendly segments that make it adaptable for live sets. Spatial design and the use of effects are evident in the careful panning, reverbs, and delay trails that give the mix a three-dimensional feel, while the dynamic range strikes an optimal balance between loudness and clarity, ensuring that the track maintains its impact without fatigue. From a wellness and mental health perspective, “Slow Motion” offers measurable benefits that align with research into music’s effect on human physiology and psychology. Studies, such as those published in Frontiers in Psychology (Chanda & Levitin, 2013), highlight how rhythmic and melodic music can reduce stress by modulating cortisol levels and increasing dopamine release. The track’s hypnotic pulse and uplifting harmonic structure make it an ideal accompaniment for fitness classes and flow-based workouts, enhancing motivation through entrainment of heart rate and movement. In group wellness settings like yoga or meditation-infused dance classes, the track’s immersive atmosphere and emotional storytelling can foster a sense of shared presence and mental clarity, as supported by research in Music & Science (Fancourt & Finn, 2019). Its uplifting qualities and replay value may also contribute to improved mood, cognitive focus, and post-exercise recovery. In live performance scenarios, “Slow Motion” has demonstrated strong crowd reaction potential, tested extensively by Grum across U.S. shows in 2025–2026 and supported by Above & Beyond in key festival appearances. Its dynamic energy and cohesive narrative make it a genuine peak-time selection, and its creativity and artistic identity reinforce Grum and Amba Shepherd’s reputations as forward-thinking contributors to the progressive trance landscape. By achieving excellence in sound design, emotional connection, and structural originality, the track not only performs exceptionally across all production and DJ criteria but also offers a scientifically supported positive impact on listeners’ mental and physical well-being.#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:
Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 109.
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Thaut, M. H. (2005). Rhythm, Music, and the Brain. Routledge.
Zatorre, R. J., & Salimpoor, V. N. (2013). From perception to pleasure: Music and its neural substrates. PNAS, 110(Supplement 2), 10430–10437.
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