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Common Ground (Above & Beyond album)

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Common Ground
Studio album by
Above & Beyond
Released26 January 2018
GenreTrance[1]
Length62:09
LabelAnjunabeats
Producer
Above & Beyond chronology
Acoustic II
(2016) 		Common Ground
(2018) 		Flow State
(2019)
Singles from Common Ground
  1. "Alright Now"
    Released: 12 May 2017[2]
  2. "Tightrope"
    Released: 4 August 2017[3]
  3. "My Own Hymn"
    Released: 7 September 2017[4]
  4. "Northern Soul"
    Released: 3 November 2017[5]
  5. "Always"
    Released: 19 January 2018[6]
  6. "Cold Feet"
    Released: 16 March 2018[7]
  7. "Happiness Amplified"
    Released: 5 October 2018[8]
  8. "Sahara Love"
    Released: 8 March 2019[9]
  9. "Bittersweet & Blue"
    Released: 27 March 2020[10]

Common Ground is the fourth studio album by British progressive trance group Above & Beyond. It was released on 26 January 2018 on Anjunabeats.[11][12] The album is their first studio album since We Are All We Need (2015) and includes appearances from frequent collaborators Richard Bedford, Justine Suissa, and Zoë Johnston plus new guest vocalist Marty Longstaff. Common Ground charted at number three in the United States, making it the biggest US chart debut by a British electronic group and Above & Beyond's highest career charting album release.[13][14]

Release and promotion

In an interview with Billboard coinciding with Ultra Music Festival 2017, Above & Beyond revealed that the group was about "three-quarters of the way through" with their work on a new electronic album.[15] The single "Tightrope" featuring Marty Longstaff and the title track "Common Ground" (originally titled "The Power of Vulnerability") were also premiered at Ultra 2017 and at the group's RC Cola Plant show two days before.[16][17]

The confetti-inspired artwork style for the album was revealed with the release of "Tightrope" on 4 August and the following release of "My Own Hymn", accompanied by a lyric video, on 8 September.

The album title and cover were revealed at the end of the group's performance at their ABGT 250 event on 16 September 2017.[18]

On 23 October 2017, the group announced the Common Ground North America Tour, which opened with a 3-hour set and appearances from Spencer Brown, Grum, and Gabriel & Dresden at the Los Angeles Convention Center on 29 December 2017 and closed at the RC Cola Plant in Miami accompanied by Seven Lions on 22 March 2018.[19]

"Northern Soul", the fourth single from Common Ground, was released on 4 November with another lyric video.[20]

The trio released the album's fifth single, "Always", on 19 January 2018.[21] For this single's release, the group also released a music video featuring the three producers and vocalist Zoë Johnston performing the song in the French Alps. Also, the album version of "Is It Love? (1001)" was premiered that night by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1's Essential Selection mix.[22][23]

There’s a continual play off, between what the individual wants and the group needs, what the album requires and what an individual song might demand.

—Paavo Siljamäki, regarding the songwriting process on Common Ground[24]

On 26 January 2018, Armin van Buuren's "A State of Trance" radio show celebrated the album's release by hosting Jono Grant of Above & Beyond to perform a one-hour-long guest mix for their 850th episode, where multiple tracks from Common Ground and label Anjunabeats were played during its duration.[25][26]

When asked about the creative process of the album in an interview with Clash magazine, Paavo Siljamäki of the group stated that "there’s a point in the album writing process where it starts making sense, once you have enough songs. But what we did this time around – and we’ve done it in the past – we’ve written quite a few more songs than what are on this album. And then we looked at the pile of songs that we had, and thought: what would make a good album? And chose the tracks finished based on what we felt helped each other".[24]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Arts Desk[1]
The Times[27]

Common Ground was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Joe Muggs from The Arts Desk gave the album a 3/5 rating and wrote that "it sounds like somewhere between Coldplay and Clannad with pumping beats and fizzy synthesisers". He continued by stating that although the track melodies might be simple and "cheesy", they're "put together with such sincerity you can see easily why their fan community clings so tight to A&B".[1] Mark Mancino of The Nocturnal Times called the album an "artistic masterpiece" and a "symphonic treasure". He praised each track individually, but especially commended single "Northern Soul" which he calls the "catchiest, deepest, and most intense in years", and "Sahara Love" which "intertwines elevating dance music with elements of rock, new wave, and synth-pop".[28] Thomas Keulemans from We Rave You dubbed the track "Bittersweet & Blue" as the album's best highlight by praising Richard Bedford's ability to create a sense of sadness throughout its duration and noted its meaningful lyrical content.[29]

In a negative review, Will Hodgkinson of The Times described that the record "sounds like the kind of music that utilities companies use when they want to calm you down as they put you on hold for an hour: relentlessly slick, unfailingly melodic, impossible to remember the moment it finishes". The critic concluded by writing that Common Ground ultimately lacks "humour and character", even with the use of gentle vocals and the presence of a hypnotic mood throughout its listening experience.[27]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Inconsistency Principle"
3:16
2."My Own Hymn" (featuring Zoë Johnston)
  • Above & Beyond
  • Johnston
  • Bayer[a]
3:48
3."Northern Soul" (featuring Richard Bedford)
  • Grant
  • Siljamaki
  • McGuinness
  • Above & Beyond
  • Bayer[a]
5:35
4."Naked" (featuring Justine Suissa)
  • Above & Beyond
  • Suissa
  • Bayer[a]
5:23
5."Sahara Love" (featuring Zoë Johnston)
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Siljamaki
  • Johnston
  • Bayer
  • Above & Beyond
  • Johnston
  • Bayer[a]
5:07
6."Happiness Amplified" (featuring Richard Bedford)
  • Grant
  • Siljamaki
  • McGuinness
  • Bayer
  • Above & Beyond
  • Bayer[a]
5:32
7."Is It Love? (1001)"
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Siljamaki
  • Above & Beyond
  • Bayer[a]
5:44
8."Cold Feet" (featuring Justine Suissa)
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Suissa
  • Siljamaki
  • Above & Beyond
  • Suissa
  • Bayer[a]
5:35
9."Tightrope" (featuring Marty Longstaff)
  • Grant
  • Martin Longstaff
  • McGuinness
  • Siljamaki
  • Bayer
  • Above & Beyond
  • Bayer[a]
3:24
10."Alright Now" (featuring Justine Suissa)
  • Grant
  • Suissa
  • Siljamaki
  • McGuinness
  • Above & Beyond
  • Suissa
  • Bayer[a]
5:37
11."Bittersweet & Blue" (featuring Richard Bedford)
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Suissa
  • Siljamaki
  • Above & Beyond
  • Suissa
  • Bayer[a]
5:26
12."Always" (featuring Zoë Johnston)
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Siljamaki
  • Johnston
  • Above & Beyond
  • Johnston
  • Bayer[a]
4:10
13."Common Ground"
  • Grant
  • McGuinness
  • Siljamaki
  • Above & Beyond
  • Bayer[a]
3:32
Total length:62:09

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • "Is It Love? (1001)" features un-credited vocals from Jono Grant.

Charts

Awards

Year Organization Recipient(s) Category Result
2019 International Dance Music Awards[44][45] Common Ground Best Pop/Electronic Album Won

References

  1. ^ a b c Muggs, Joe (25 January 2018). "CD: Above & Beyond - Common Ground". The Arts Desk. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Alright Now from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Tightrope from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  4. ^ "My Own Hymm from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Northern Soul from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Always from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  7. ^ Bein, Kat. "Above & Beyond, Justine Suissa Burn Up With 'Cold Feet'". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Happiness Amplified from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Sahara Love from Anjunabeats on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Bittersweet & Blue (feat. Richard Bedford) - Single by Above & Beyond on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  11. ^ Bein, Kat (26 January 2018). "Above & Beyond Proves Its Beauty and Range on Fourth Album 'Common Ground': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Common Ground from Above & Beyond". Beatport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Above & Beyond score US success with new album". Xposé. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  14. ^ Murray, Gordon (8 February 2018). "Trance Trio Above & Beyond Debuts at Career-Best No. 3 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  15. ^ Billboard Staff. "Ultra 2017: Above & Beyond Talk New Album, Eric Prydz & More". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Above & Beyond feat. Marty Longstaff - Tightrope [ANJUNABEATS]". 1001 Tracklists. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Above & Beyond - The Power Of Vulnerability [ANJUNABEATS]". 1001 Tracklists. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Together on #CommonGround. Our new album, January 2018". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Above & Beyond News - North America is Common Ground". 23 October 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  20. ^ Armstrong, Megan (3 November 2017). "Above & Beyond Releases 'Ode to Detroit' With Emotional 'Northern Soul' Featuring Richard Bedford". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  21. ^ Bein, Kat (19 January 2018). "Above & Beyond Climb French Alps For Breathtaking 'Always' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Thanks to @petetong for the first play of @aboveandbeyond 'Is It Love? 1001', taken from Common Ground". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Pete Tong & Kings Of Tomorrow - Essential Selection (History Of House) 2018-01-20". 1001 Tracklists. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  24. ^ a b Murray, Robin (23 January 2018). "In Conversation: Above & Beyond". Clash. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  25. ^ Ghanem, Louis (26 January 2018). "A State of Trance Celebrates Common Ground Release with Above & Beyond Guest Mix". EDMTunes. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Armin van Buuren & Above & Beyond - A State Of Trance 850 (Part 1)". 1001 Tracklists. 25 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  27. ^ a b Troubridge, Amelia (26 January 2018). "Pop review: Above & Beyond: Common Ground". The Times. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  28. ^ Mancino, Mark (26 January 2018). "Above & Beyond 'Common Ground' Album is Symphonic Bliss". The Nocturnal Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  29. ^ Keulemans, Thomas (26 January 2018). "Above & Beyond – Common Ground (Album Review)". WeRaveYou. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  30. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #458". auspOp. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Above & Beyond – Common Ground" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Above Beyond Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 05.Týden 2018 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  34. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Above & Beyond – Common Ground" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  35. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  38. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  39. ^ Caulfield, Keith (4 February 2018). "Migos' 'Culture II' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  40. ^ "Above Beyond Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  41. ^ "Above Beyond Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link‍] Billboard. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  42. ^ "Above Beyond Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  43. ^ "Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  44. ^ Magnetic. "IDMA 2019 Nominees, SHAQ "Becoming Diesel" WMC Conversation Announced". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  45. ^ Billboard Charts (29 March 2019), IDMA 2019 - Winners (33rd International Dance Music Awards), retrieved 30 June 2019
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