Above & Beyond steered away from dance music for a moment in 2019 and focused on a more mindful sound to cure the stresses of touring life. The result was “Flow State”. That album included 17 ambient and piano-based compositions along with Spoken Word tracks from New York yogi, Elena Brower. Above & Beyond described “Flow State” as “music tools for yoga, mindfulness, and mental fitness”. Those tools were used everywhere from the popular meditation app, Calm, to multiple plays on mindfulness playlists. In collaboration with Brower and the DAYBREAKER community You could even sit in on an in-person “Flow State” yoga session in one of 17 select cities worldwide.
Today, as a surprise release, Above & Beyond have brought back “Flow State” with a new pack of meditation tools and ambient field recordings designed to elicit a deep state of relaxation and calm; calling the installment “Flow State: Healing With Nature”.
Paavo from Above & Beyond explains the inspiration, “I began recording the sounds of nature at different times of the day and in different weather. I found these recordings healing, inspiring and calming. Taking them to the studio, I wanted to share this feeling with the world. So, we made these meditation tools to help others connect with nature, even those of us living a more urban lifestyle.”
“After months of lockdowns and isolation, many of us have felt overwhelmed as we begin to return to social life. Meditation practice can offer a great opportunity to center ourselves,” Paavo says.
At the center of this new release is an extended, half-hour original piano piece set to an archival talk by Elena Brower where she discusses the process of meditation. Recorded in a single take, this hour of original music is an entirely improvised, live musical response to Elena’s words.
“Flow State: Healing With Nature” also includes four ambient soundscapes recorded in the forests of Finland.
“We hope you find Elena’s talk inspiring, and enjoy these meditative ambiances. See which meditation feels good for you, and transport yourself to mother nature for a short time each day,” Paavo adds.
Above & Beyond – “Flow State: Healing With Nature” is available today via Anjunabeats!
