Legendary trio Above & Beyond released the much anticipated “Anjunabeats Volume 14” today. This is the first installment of the treasured compilation series since 2017. With each chapter of the series, Above & Beyond takes the listener on a journey of sounds. This episode is no different; we have received the soundtrack to our 2019.
Volume 14 is the latest in a story spanning 11 years, each mix an epochal statement piece rewarding those who listen closely with an incisive take on the sounds that will define Anjuna dancefloors in the upcoming year.
Connecting the sounds of Anjunadeep and the stadium-sized productions found on Anjunabeats; Volume 14 sees Above & Beyond craft a mesmerizing journey through forward-thinking and ever-evolving Electronic Dance Music.
This two-disc compilation includes 34 tracks from the constantly growing Anjuna Family of artists as well as original tracks from the boys themselves. “Anjunabeats Volume 14” will be the soundtrack to my drive to the Gorge Amphitheatre for the ABGT Weekender in July. It is a luscious, moving compilation, and 2018 was a long year without an Anjunabeats Volume release!
Disc One – Reviewed by Sandra Huitt aka Tigerlily
As they often do, Above & Beyond ease us into Volume 14 with Matt Lange’s groovy remix of “Is It Love”. It isn’t until PROFF and EKSF’s “For the Night” hits that things start to pick up a bit before they slow us back down with beautiful piano key strokes. Trust Spencer Brown and Qrion to move it forward with “Foggy August”, one of the few tracks where the notes sound slightly fuzzy, or foggy if you will, giving the perfect effect to warrant the title. With the next two Tinlicker tracks, I feel wrapped in clouds. Their remixes are enhanced with a lush vibe that feel so incredibly smooth. I had the opportunity to see Tinlicker last month at the Vancouver stop of the Anjunabeats North America Tour and they went from a like to a love in a single set. The deal was sealed when Misha ended our chat with arms held out and a request for a “Hug?” Having grown up in Hawaii, we open and end conversations or visits with hugs, and it was such a pure Anjuna moment.
The one and only GRUM, remixer of my favorite 80’s classic “Shout”, pulls at the heartstrings with his track “Stay”. And then OOF! Judah really knows how to make me pump my fist in the air as those guys build it up and then lay it down with “Misdirection”. It bleeds right into A&B’s Club Mix of “Cold Feet”, a track that I once found sad, and now just reminds me of meeting fellow Anjuna Angel Hayley at Anjunabeach. It was an unforgettable moment of love and connection that changed tears to smiles and distant friends to lifelong friends.
Before I know it, an unmistakably Genix track comes up. How do I know it’s him? Cause my head started bobbing to the beat before I even knew who it was. If I were standing, my feet would be leaving the ground. And then, HOT DAMN! That Andrew Bayer ID which is apparently called “Magitek” carries on the vibe Genix hit us with. I had the pleasure of hearing it in Vancouver last month and EDC Las Vegas two weeks ago. A vision of Andrew behind the decks at the Quantum Valley stage doing his piano fingers in the air came to mind the second I heard it. As Maor Levi ends the first disc with the message to “Disconnect”, all I could think was NO WAY! I haven’t gotten nearly enough yet!
Disc Two – Reviewed by Aimee
Disc two starts out with some well-known favorites “Liquid Love” and “Long Way From Home”. “Long Way From Home” hits me in the feels every time I hear it, this track encompasses my 2018 completely. I’m sure many of the Anjunafam can agree when I say this one is on its way to classic status. The whole album flows perfectly, as you would expect from Above & Beyond. Disc two is amazing but there are a few stand out tracks from the album.
The Club mix of “There’s Only You” hits hard creating chills throughout your entire body. This is Above & Beyond at their finest. The Jason Ross Club mix of “IOU” featuring Emilie Brandt is outstanding. The vocals on this track flow flawlessly to the superb beats of Ross. Of course Bayer’s newly released track “Eight to Sixteen” is perfection. There’s a reason he’s known as the fourth member of Above and Beyond. Every time I listen to Bayer I am amazed by what an exceptional musician he is.
“Alone Tonight” is classic Above & Beyond. The vocals and dramatic melodies that peak to a dynamic beat are freakin’ fantastic. The i_o Remix of “Alchemy” chokes me up with the opening of the first lyric. You think this track could not be improved but this remix is outstanding. “Open Your Eyes” by Genix is exceptional, the throbbing, intense beats with minimal vocals have a hypnotizing effect on the listener. The mix closes out with “Distorted Truth” which is the ideal track to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
After listening to Anjunabeats Volume 14, I am bursting with excitement to be reunited with my Anjunafam at The Gorge Amphitheatre in July for the ABGT Weekender. We are less than two months out and the anticipation is killing me. I hope you get just as pumped checking out this mix as I did. The Weekender is the one stop on Above & Beyond’s tour this year that I will be catching. Can’t wait to see you all at The Gorge!
Above & Beyond TOUR DATES:
Fri, Jun 21 – Ciudad Del Rock – Monteagudo Del Castillo, Spain
Sat, Jun 22 – A Summer Story – Arganda Del Rey, Spain
Sun, Jul 14 – Ultra Europe – Split, Croatia
Fri, Jul 19 – Tomorrowland – Boom, Belgium
Fri, Jul 19 – Wanderlust – Squaw Valley, CA
Sat, Jul 20 – Electronic Family – Den Bosch, Netherlands
Sun, Jul 21 – Parookaville – Weeze, Germany
Sat, Jul 27 – Group Therapy Weekender – George, WA
Sun, Aug 4 – Chasing Summer – Calgary, Canada
Sat, Aug 10 – Îlesoniq – Montreal, Canada
Sat, Aug 24 – Creamfields Festival – Warrington, United Kingdom
Sat, Aug 31 – Electric Zoo – New York, NY
Fri, Oct 11 – Group Therapy 350 @ O2 Arena – Praha, Czech Republic
*Featured Image of Above & Beyond | Via Amelia Troubridge*
