Album: Bigger Than All Of Us
Producers: Above & Beyond
Lyrics and Vocals by: Richard Bedford, Zoë Johnston, Victoria Horn, Justine Suissa, Malou
Release on: AnjunaBeats
Out now
Tracklist:
1] “Stepping In”
The opening track for this album, opening with a melodic tone, magic, wonder, and hopeful.
A range of emotions brought to the surface, you feel right away. As if it is dancing, freely, with time passing by.
2] “Start A Fire”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Richard Bedford
The second track, opens with a feeling of a need, a want to do something. A heartbeat resonates within the song. What drives us, keeps us going, and gets us out of bed every day. A spark, that motion, and need to do all we can.
3] “Carry Me Home”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Zoë Johnston
A short note from my review of the song earlier this year. This song connects to a deeper layer, an experience that stays with someone. A memory of someone you lost, how you brought compassion to help them get though their battles. But also the strength, to get through your obstacles, that loss, and sometimes those memories are what makes us stronger, a reminder of that love one gave us, and now we keep going, fighting to persevere.
4] “Everywhere I Go”
From the start of this song, it opens up with a tone reminiscent of a song from the past. Evolving beyond a simple melody, dancing into another sequence. Reminders of things you experience, or walk by, those fragments that give you a moment to pause. A walk through a forest, a journey past a river, or an event with a breathtaking view. A moment that brings one joy, a smile, a brief respite, freedom to just be.
5] “When You Believe”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Victoria Horn
Love, life, the balance that keeps us going, thriving, surviving. It is beyond any emotion, but what connects to everything, and those we care about. Compassion, harmony, self expression, being true to one self.
6] “Quicksand” (Don’t Go)
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Zoë Johnston
A note from my previous review, of this powerful song.
“Quicksand” (Don’t Go) is that reminder, even when we feel that sinking feeling deep down inside. That memory of those we lost, we are their strength that kept them going. What we lost.. we lost a treasure, a part of heart and soul, that loss, that sinking feeling brings us down. But they would tell us, not to feel that way. When we close our eyes, and reach out “Don’t Go”. And they are gone again, but always with us, forever and always.
But that reminder of loss, it never leaves. That feeling will always be there. But we have to keep going, even if we feel broken, down, falling apart. They would tell us, not to give up on ourselves. Because we were there for them. Doing all we could.
7] “Bigger Than All Of Us”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Justine Suissa
The title track of this beautiful album. This is what Above & Beyond (and Oceanlab) was all about. The journey of storytelling through music, melody, heart, and soul. From joy, pain, sadness, wonder, magic, and self expression. You are not alone. We all feel, we hurt, but also heal. Group Therapy, its mission is to bring everyone around the world together, that loves music, art, and the ability to connect as one.
8] “Blood From A Stone”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Richard Bedford
The opening of this next song, feels reminiscent of the past, but spun with something new. An expression of how we connect to something, it hits us deeper than anything before. Beyond words to describe. Something we give our all to, compassion, love, and heart. But what happens when those connections fade? How does one feel after?
9] “Into the Light”
An intermission song, but still holds vibes. That feeling of light guiding your way, through darkness. It resonates, shines, and brightens. Hopeful, that darkness fades for a time.
10] “Letting Go”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Malou
From a piano melody, to a beat filled tune. That feeling, a decision made, it gives one a moment to pause, breathe. Something we all need ever so often. Of what brings us down, or hurts us. Let it be. If something tears you down, don’t let it. One needs to heal, to keep going.
11] “Here Before”
Co-Producer: Oliver Smith
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Opposite the Other
That feeling, a moment in time repeats itself. A lesson learned. But to keep going, past that barrier, an obstacle.
A memory, when speaking to someone close, and it feels like everything is cascading. All you wanted to say, but felt like you were not heard, even though there together, it felt like no one was listening. How to get past this? Why are we here again?
12] “Sailing Off The End of the World”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Richard Bedford
A moment to breathe, walk away, to find a center, somewhere, anywhere but here. Everything that drives one to go somewhere, a compass, but feeling lost. More than just going on a journey, but what is inside us. Where does one go when everything feels as if you are falling apart? Where to go to find calm? A space, to clear your mind.
13] “Ride At Dawn”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Zoë Johnston
Together, on a journey. Together, always. There is something beautiful, but also heartbreaking within this song. A feeling I too have experienced. With someone you love, a bond that never will be broken. Near, or far. Always, in your heart.
14] “Heartland”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Justine Suissa
A beautiful, and moving song. The imagery of light touching, giving vigor, love, and energy to all it touches. But also admiration, and warmth, change, growth, and understanding. Finding a sense of inner peace, where outside feels like chaos.
15] ” ‘Till I’m Home”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Richard Bedford
A feeling of being away, separated, yet drawn back home, because of what you left behind. Will they be there? Will that love still resonate? Passed by? Empty? All those feeling surface, until you reunite with your partner. But how do they make you feel? What do you see every time you close your eyes? Is it happiness? Is it love? Or everything all at once?
16] “Lullaby”
Lyrics & Vocals performed by Singer, Songwriter: Zoë Johnston
The final track within this amazing album. This song wraps the album with a hug, warmth, dreams, wishes, and memories. It is a way of also saying goodbye, everything one has experienced, lessons learned, stories told. Emotions one feels, connections, the words expressed, what helps us rest, finding a moment of calm.
That goodbye, it is of the one we had to let go. This song resonates with that feeling, as that energy leaves their body. What was once there, is no more. What we see in front of us, now a shell. But that beautiful heart, and soul once was of the one we held dear, we fought for, we did all we could. That love, forever, with us, all they taught us. Memories, always.
The entire album, “Bigger Than All of Us” is a journey of emotions, feels, connections, loss, hope, and healing. No two songs are alike, each one is unique telling its own story, expression, findings its sound. This is a very different album compared to past releases, but it is worth listening to, feeling from, and to dance to. There is something beautiful, powerful, and heart wrenching all at the same time. The ability to express every feeling in words, and within music, that is a skill, artistry, with a heart and soul always trying to say all it can, even when words do not feel like they are enough.
“Bigger Than All of Us” is available now. Also you can preorder the Vinyl, and CD versions of the album. At the AnjunaBeats official store
“Bigger Than All of Us” music video
A video, of the journey making this album. The shows, the music, the vibes, and moments, memories that forever, and the creative energy, vibes, plus connections made, and those it touches. What music, and art means to all of us, to share its words, emotions, and feels.
