Common Ground (Above & Beyond album)
Above & Beyond · 2018
62 min · 13 tracks · trance
Euphoric melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and sound that defines modern trance.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Inconsistency Principle Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Northern Soul — This track features poignant vocals and a compelling narrative about seeking connection amidst life's chaos, embodying the album's thematic core.
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My Own Hymn — With its uplifting message and soaring melodies, this track serves as an anthem of self-discovery and empowerment, resonating with listeners on a personal level.
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Is It Love? (1001) — This song blends ethereal vocals with a driving beat, encapsulating the essence of trance music while exploring the complexities of love and relationships.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodic writing and cohesive flow, appealing to trance fans while maintaining emotional depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build progressively, layering euphoric melodies with vocal harmonies before introducing a more introspective tone in track four.
- The album includes interludes that provide breathing space between more energetic tracks, allowing for emotional reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- uplifting anthems for shared experiences
- introspective lyrics with euphoric melodies
- consistent journey with emotional peaks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album showcases their evolved sound and received significant acclaim within the electronic music scene.
- Career context
- Upon releasing Common Ground in January 2018, Above & Beyond was already an established name in the trance scene, following their successful album Group Therapy from 2011. This release marked their first studio album in seven years and showcased their evolution while maintaining a connection to their roots, exploring themes of unity and human experience through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Armin van Buuren· Cosmic Gate· Paul van Dyk
Tracklist
- 1 The Inconsistency Principle Start here 3:16
- 2 My Own Hymn 3:48
- 3 Northern Soul 5:35
- 4 Naked 5:23
- 5 Sahara Love 5:07
- 6 Happiness Amplified 5:32
- 7 Is It Love? (1001) 5:44
- 8 Cold Feet 5:35
- 9 Tightrope 3:24
- 10 Alright Now 5:37
- 11 Bittersweet & Blue 5:26
- 12 Always 4:10
- 13 Common Ground 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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