Album Review: Above & Beyond – Bigger Than All Of Us
2 min read
Above & Beyond’s Bigger Than All Of Us marks a deeply emotional return for the legendary trio after a seven year stretch since their last fully electronic album, Common Ground. In that time, they’ve each wandered creatively through ambient projects, solo explorations, and even doubts about continuing the group. But what emerges here is more than just another album, it’s a heartfelt reconnection. The title, which doubles as a mantra, speaks volumes, not about ego, but about community, collaboration, and the unspoken magic that happens when artists and audiences come together. From the opening track Stepping In, it’s clear this isn’t just a dance record, it’s a journey toward healing, unity, and purpose.
Sonically, the album is rooted in classic Above & Beyond trademarks – soaring synths, earnest vocals, and moments that build into cathartic release – yet, it doesn’t shy away from vulnerability. Richard Bedford’s vocals, present on tracks Start A Fire, Blood From A Stone, Sailing Off The End Of The World and ‘Til I’m Home, are raw and stirring while Zoë Johnston’s appearances on Carry Me Home, Quicksand (Don’t Go) and Ride At Dawn and Lullaby bring a haunting delicacy that lingers as each song fades into the next. Other collaborations with artists such as Malou, Opposite The Other and Oliver Smith inject fresh energy, particularly on tracks like Letting Go and Here Before, which straddle trance and indie-dance with finesse.
Despite the record’s ambition, 16 tracks and over an hour of runtime, it rarely feels bloated. The album is thoughtfully paced, alternating between euphoric peaks and reflective valleys. Tracks such as Bigger Than All Of Us, Into The Light, Heartland and Lullaby slow things down, creating space to breathe and absorb the emotional weight. At times, the middle section can lose a touch of momentum, but it’s a minor dip in an otherwise cohesive arc. This is a record designed to be experienced front to back, not cherry picked for singles.
Bigger Than All Of Us is more than a return to form, it’s a reminder of what makes Above & Beyond such a beloved force in electronic music. There’s a sense of gratitude woven through every lyric and melody, a recognition that music can still move people in profound ways. Whether you’ve been with them since Tri-State or you’re just tuning in now, this album feels like a hand reaching out, inviting us back into the fold. And in a world that often feels fragmented, that invitation feels, well, bigger than all of us.
