Above & Beyond is primarily known for their trance and progressive house music, but their sound is remarkably diverse, encompassing a wide range of electronic music styles. Their versatility has allowed them to evolve continuously, blending various influences into their unique sound.
A Spectrum of Electronic Sound
While often pigeonholed as a trance act, Above & Beyond's discography reveals a much broader artistic palette. They seamlessly traverse various subgenres and even venture outside traditional EDM boundaries.
Their core sound typically includes:
- Trance: A genre characterized by a tempo range of 135–150 BPM, melodic synths, and often a euphoric or melancholic atmosphere.
- Vocal Trance: A subgenre of trance that heavily features prominent female or male vocals, often with emotional lyrics.
- Progressive Trance: Known for its longer, evolving arrangements, less reliance on a sudden breakdown and buildup, and a more gradual, hypnotic progression.
- Progressive House: A subgenre of house music with longer, more melodic, and atmospheric tracks than traditional house, often building energy gradually.
- Big Room House: Characterized by its emphasis on strong basslines, minimal melodic content, and large, echoing drops designed for festival main stages.
Beyond these electronic styles, Above & Beyond has also explored:
- Acoustic Music: They have famously performed and released acoustic versions of their popular tracks, showcasing the songwriting and melodic depth without electronic production.
- Ambient Music: Characterized by its atmospheric and unobtrusive nature, often used to evoke a sense of calm or space.
Influences and Evolution
Above & Beyond's multifaceted approach to music production is a testament to their wide range of influences. Their sound draws inspiration from:
- Classical Music: Evident in their intricate melodies and harmonic structures.
- Rock and Pop: Contributing to their song-oriented approach and appeal to broader audiences.
- Techno and House: Providing foundational electronic music elements.
- Ambient Music: Informing the atmospheric and textural layers in their tracks.
This blend allows them to create tracks that can be both high-energy for dancefloors and deeply emotional for introspective listening.
Key Characteristics of Above & Beyond's Music
To better understand their unique sound, consider these defining characteristics:
- Melody-Driven: Strong, memorable melodies are a hallmark of their work across all genres.
- Emotional Depth: Their music often evokes strong feelings, from euphoria to introspection, largely due to their evocative vocals and poignant lyrics.
- Storytelling through Sound: Tracks often build and evolve, taking listeners on a journey.
- Vocal Focus: Many of their most iconic tracks feature recurring vocalists, making the vocals a central component.
Below is a table illustrating the range of styles they incorporate:
| Primary Genre | Sub-Genres & Additional Styles | Defining Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Trance | Vocal Trance, Progressive Trance | Uplifting melodies, emotional vocals, energetic rhythms |
| House | Progressive House, Big Room House | Deep grooves, evolving arrangements, powerful drops |
| Non-Electronic Styles | Acoustic, Ambient | Stripped-down renditions, atmospheric soundscapes, intimate feel |
Above & Beyond's ability to consistently deliver high-quality music across such a diverse spectrum is why they remain a beloved and influential act in the electronic music world. Their label, Anjunabeats, further reflects this broad appeal, releasing music that spans various subgenres of trance and progressive electronic music.
