Ending the year in style, Meanwhile celebrates its 39th release with label head-honchos, GMJ and Matter showcasing a 3-track epic in "EXT 135 / Elemental / Time to Space".
Artists who have risen rapidly to secure permanent seats at underground dance's top table, GMJ and Matter excel within the DJ and production arenas. Responsible for some of the most intelligent and atmospheric progressive house music the industry has seen and an ironclad provenance behind them, the Melbourne based duo have been leading lights in their hometown and beyond for more than 15 years. Hugely respected artists in their own rights with over 500 individual production credits each, a century has come within their collaborative partnership.
As such, original gems have included several original EPs for Proton Music, with additional work finding its way onto the likes of Anjunadeep, onedotsixtwo and Balance Music. However, it is on Meanwhile where the Australian duo have joined forces with such style and grace. From 2020's "Lost on Origin", "Gauntlet" and "Eldarin" to 2021's "The Path /Perfect Storm", plus remixes for Alex O'Rion, Rich Curtis and Roger Martinez, GMJ and Matter have been at the vanguard of modern progressive house as they now return for another stellar outing.
"EXT 135" is a fizzing powerhouse of hi-hat percussion and white-noise fills as immaculately filtered melodies emerge from the rhythmic melange alongside a chorus of expertly woven pads. A gentle vocal cut adds a melancholy vibe as the track pauses for breath at the breakdown before blossoming once more into the second half with ease and trademark aplomb.
Continuing the rich rhythmic foundation of its predecessor, "Elemental" develops a stunning rolling cadence and swung percussion that provides the perfect platform for a warm blanket of textured pads and pulsating melodies to emerge. Redolent in delays and effects, a reverse-reverb vocal chant creates tension and variation while a simple motif holds fort in the background, helping rhythm and melody gel across the track's duration.
The final track sees "Time To Space" propelled forwards with cavernous bass groove, ticking percussion and laser beam effects. Evolving elegantly, a sustained pad creates an Underworld-esque backdrop from which a chunky synth motif filters into sonic range before being juxtaposed by a glassy counterpoint phrase. Building through the breakdown, the tracks hits its stride once more in the latter stages with an expansive soundstage and metronomic groove.
Illustrating unrivalled talent and craftsmanship, GMJ and Matter once again conquer the progressive house landscape with "EXT135 / Elemental / Time To Space".
Directed by GMJ and Matter
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Matter
Text by James Warren
Artists who have risen rapidly to secure permanent seats at underground dance's top table, GMJ and Matter excel within the DJ and production arenas. Responsible for some of the most intelligent and atmospheric progressive house music the industry has seen and an ironclad provenance behind them, the Melbourne based duo have been leading lights in their hometown and beyond for more than 15 years. Hugely respected artists in their own rights with over 500 individual production credits each, a century has come within their collaborative partnership.
As such, original gems have included several original EPs for Proton Music, with additional work finding its way onto the likes of Anjunadeep, onedotsixtwo and Balance Music. However, it is on Meanwhile where the Australian duo have joined forces with such style and grace. From 2020's "Lost on Origin", "Gauntlet" and "Eldarin" to 2021's "The Path /Perfect Storm", plus remixes for Alex O'Rion, Rich Curtis and Roger Martinez, GMJ and Matter have been at the vanguard of modern progressive house as they now return for another stellar outing.
"EXT 135" is a fizzing powerhouse of hi-hat percussion and white-noise fills as immaculately filtered melodies emerge from the rhythmic melange alongside a chorus of expertly woven pads. A gentle vocal cut adds a melancholy vibe as the track pauses for breath at the breakdown before blossoming once more into the second half with ease and trademark aplomb.
Continuing the rich rhythmic foundation of its predecessor, "Elemental" develops a stunning rolling cadence and swung percussion that provides the perfect platform for a warm blanket of textured pads and pulsating melodies to emerge. Redolent in delays and effects, a reverse-reverb vocal chant creates tension and variation while a simple motif holds fort in the background, helping rhythm and melody gel across the track's duration.
The final track sees "Time To Space" propelled forwards with cavernous bass groove, ticking percussion and laser beam effects. Evolving elegantly, a sustained pad creates an Underworld-esque backdrop from which a chunky synth motif filters into sonic range before being juxtaposed by a glassy counterpoint phrase. Building through the breakdown, the tracks hits its stride once more in the latter stages with an expansive soundstage and metronomic groove.
Illustrating unrivalled talent and craftsmanship, GMJ and Matter once again conquer the progressive house landscape with "EXT135 / Elemental / Time To Space".
Directed by GMJ and Matter
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Matter
Text by James Warren
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