Anjunabeats Volume 16 embodies the annual Above & Beyond affair

Above & Beyond’s long-awaited annual compilation has arrived in a neatly packaged arrangement that has both your daytime beats and nighttime bangers covered. The 16th edition of their Anjunabeats Volume series came through last Friday with a collection of 33 tracks from over 30 members of the Anjunafamily, both fresh and familiar faces.

Over the years, the Anjunabeats Volume compilation has welcomed the echelons in dance music from the world of trance and progressive genres. This year, the summer’s mix showcases the imprints' direction to come over the next 18 months. The release comes as a two-disc output with notable artists such as ilan Bluestone, Andrew Bayer, Gabriel & Dresden, Genix, Oliver Smith, Sunny Lax and Maor Levi, along with a handful of up-and-coming artists such as ANUQRAM, anamē, Simon Gregory, Kasablanca and more.

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The release is conveniently stylised for two different shades of light — the first CD is curated to capture the afternoon sunshine with grooves and melodies that relaxes your mind. As we go continue to listen down the list, the shift slowly creeps in with tracks that fuel your body towards darker progressive sensibilities. The second CD is set for those in the shadows of club dance floors — a start that resembles an opening act or your pre-game mood that leads to vocals that feed a sense of love within your surroundings. As the tracks progress, the BPM rises and our eyes dilate all the way to end with a closer from no other than Above & Beyond themselves.

As a double whammy, Above and Beyond also gifts us a new single release ‘Projection’ on the same day. The track is also included in the compilation. Let’s just say our weekend was fuelled with A&B vibes.

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"We hope you enjoy Anjunabeats Volume 16 as much as we do. More so than recent editions, both CDs feel like self-contained journeys, with CD1 perhaps best for an afternoon session and CD2 for the nightclub. It’s a testament to our ever-expanding and talented community of artists that we’re able to explore so many different sounds on this compilation album. Most of all it’s full of the warmth and positivity you find in this family, and we hope to meet you at a show sometime very soon," mention Above & Beyond.

Having a strong artist roster and solid output of hits is a true testament to what Anjunabeats has laid out for themselves over the past few years. From Anjunabeats, Anjunadeep, to the recently-released ambient label ‘Reflections’ in May this year, there’s no surprise that Jono, Tony and Paavo have always found ways to stay on top in our everchanging world of dance music while staying true to who they are.

Celebrate Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats sixteenth edition here.

Miki Kitasako is Mixmag Asia’s Social Media and Content Producer, follow her on LinkedIn.