Above & Beyond’s Acoustic II Album Out Now

Above & Beyond Acoustic II

Before this acoustic project started, there had been other undertakings of this nature but none of this scale. The PVD Music Discovery Project, the Basement Jaxx vs. Metropole Orkest album, an orchestra transposing Armin van Buuren’s greatest hits into an orchestral setting etc etc were all predecessors to the Above & Beyond Acoustic I & II albums and tours.

With this being their second rodeo, the trio from England knew they had to spice things up. As with their first album, they took tracks from each album, stripped them down only as they could, and brought a host of reimagined tunes back in a different light. There were however no “new” surprises as with “Making Plans” on their first outing.

“No One on Earth” in its acoustic form is a hauntingly beautiful example of the raw form in which the trio expresses themselves while “Counting Down the Days / Liquid Love” meshes together old and new with a fresh touch. “Black Room Boy” is the only track featured on both albums. This second rendition, in my opinion, didn’t hold my attention as much as the first go around. “Blue Sky Action”, which was debuted and performed live before it’s release as a club track, finally sees the light of day as a recorded single.

Overall, the allure of the second album is still there and more than worth checking out if you’re a casual fan. If you’re more predisposed to singing along to every word, then pick up a copy.

Above & Beyond Acoustic II | Stream