Although there is a great deal of Above & Beyond’s signature trance and electronic elements, such as string crescendos and synth beats, the emphasis is clearly on the uplifting lyrics present in both songs. “You Got to Go”, “Giving it Out”, and “Love is not Enough” are some of the most upbeat tracks on Group Therapy with contributing vocals by Johnston on each. The pleading lyrics-“I’m sorry baby, you were the sun and moon to me”-combined with the fist-pumping synth and hard-hitting beat creates an infectious dance track that has already claimed a coveted spot on BBC Radio 1’s playlist. The album’s first single “Sun and Moon” features vocals by Richard Bedford who, like Johnston, has been involved in the DJ trio’s previous work and is featured on five of the album’s tracks, including two of its singles. Johnston, former member of both Faithless and Bent, has collaborated with Above & Beyond in the past and has provided her haunting vocals on six of Group Therapy’s tracks. “Alchemy” is one of the catchiest trance tracks on the album with lyrics depicting lost love sung by respected vocalist Zoë Johnston. There is a sort of therapeutic sentimentality embedded into the song and it seems that it is preparing the listener for the deeply emotional lyrics of the tracks to follow. Rather than electronic, the track is more orchestral with a xylophone and strings accompanying a gorgeous piano tune so serene it could be a lullaby. The first track “Filmic” is the perfect opener for an album entitled Group Therapy. Despite the large gap between studio efforts, the world-renowned trio-comprised of Jono Grant, Tony McGuiness, and Paavo Siljamäki-did not falter in retaining an overwhelming following with their acclaimed remix album of Oceanlab’s Sirens of the Sea as well as their globally-broadcasted radio show “Trance Around The World.” With the release of Group Therapy now under their belt, the trio has proven that they rightfully deserve their spot as DJ Magazine’s Number 5 DJ in the world, and that they are willing to experiment beyond trance.
Almost 6 years since their 2006 studio debut Tri-State was released, UK DJ act Above & Beyond has produced yet another masterpiece with their second album Group Therapy.
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