From his home in Melbourne, Matty Doyle's success under his Matter soubriquet has seen an exponential rise over a career that spans more than a decade and some 400 production credits. Now returning to his spiritual home and the label he curates with his fellow countryman and production partner, Matter delivers "We Are Here".
An artist with no inconsiderable talent and a wealth of high-profile releases on Anjunadeep, Balance Music, BeatFreak Recordings and Proton Music, Matter's output on Meanwhile has also been prolific with such glittering solo gems as "Amanita", "Banksia" and a quartet of collaborative releases with GMJ since 2020 including: "Lost on Origin", "Eldarin" and December 2023's "Stellaris / Idtritah". Now, after the success of November 2021's "Starchild" on Meanwhile Horizons – achieving over 1 million Spotify streams – Matter returns to the flagship label with another magnificent magnum opus.
Opening with smooth beatless soundscapes of "Coming Home", Matter's trademark atmospheres and emotive melodic patterns flood through the 11-track album. The broken beat rhythms and velvety smooth basslines create a driving force across "Wombat Forest", while a more familiar 4-to-the-floor backdrop powers the likes of "Livid", "Afterburn" and "Stardew". Redolent in cascading delays, imaginative sonic textures and playful cadences, the trio shift in energy and dancefloor patterns to create a kaleidoscopic sonic tapestry. Joining forces with Meanwhile regular, Alex O'Rion, the Beatport chart-topper helps steer "Moksha" into familiar waters with rolling percussive groove and earworm motif that has become a staple of the pair's solo work.
Providing a moment for reflection at the mid-point mark with its undulating arpeggio and subtly filtered dynamism, "Things Beautiful" is nestled between the uptempo grooved bassline presence and evolving chord progressions of "Afterburn" and silky "Elsewhere" that hypnotises through its sustained arp and haunting vocal phrasing. The final stanza of tracks finds a new direction with the glissando lead line of "Times Gone By" forming the basis for a warm analogue distortion and counterpoint phrase before GMJ joins the fray on the chunky rhythmic mastery of "Conduits". Oozing club-friendly appeal and immaculate dancefloor cadence, the track is fuelled by shaker-driven vibrancy, coruscating arps and intermittent vocalisation, to create another classic collaboration. Closing out, "The Passage" is a dominant reminder of Matter's mastery over his sonic palette as it weaves a resplendent journey across modern progressive house.
Sitting proudly atop the Progressive House mountain with another summit finish of epic proportions, Matter can proudly claim, "We Are Here".
Directed by GMJ and Matter
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Matter
Text by James Warren
An artist with no inconsiderable talent and a wealth of high-profile releases on Anjunadeep, Balance Music, BeatFreak Recordings and Proton Music, Matter's output on Meanwhile has also been prolific with such glittering solo gems as "Amanita", "Banksia" and a quartet of collaborative releases with GMJ since 2020 including: "Lost on Origin", "Eldarin" and December 2023's "Stellaris / Idtritah". Now, after the success of November 2021's "Starchild" on Meanwhile Horizons – achieving over 1 million Spotify streams – Matter returns to the flagship label with another magnificent magnum opus.
Opening with smooth beatless soundscapes of "Coming Home", Matter's trademark atmospheres and emotive melodic patterns flood through the 11-track album. The broken beat rhythms and velvety smooth basslines create a driving force across "Wombat Forest", while a more familiar 4-to-the-floor backdrop powers the likes of "Livid", "Afterburn" and "Stardew". Redolent in cascading delays, imaginative sonic textures and playful cadences, the trio shift in energy and dancefloor patterns to create a kaleidoscopic sonic tapestry. Joining forces with Meanwhile regular, Alex O'Rion, the Beatport chart-topper helps steer "Moksha" into familiar waters with rolling percussive groove and earworm motif that has become a staple of the pair's solo work.
Providing a moment for reflection at the mid-point mark with its undulating arpeggio and subtly filtered dynamism, "Things Beautiful" is nestled between the uptempo grooved bassline presence and evolving chord progressions of "Afterburn" and silky "Elsewhere" that hypnotises through its sustained arp and haunting vocal phrasing. The final stanza of tracks finds a new direction with the glissando lead line of "Times Gone By" forming the basis for a warm analogue distortion and counterpoint phrase before GMJ joins the fray on the chunky rhythmic mastery of "Conduits". Oozing club-friendly appeal and immaculate dancefloor cadence, the track is fuelled by shaker-driven vibrancy, coruscating arps and intermittent vocalisation, to create another classic collaboration. Closing out, "The Passage" is a dominant reminder of Matter's mastery over his sonic palette as it weaves a resplendent journey across modern progressive house.
Sitting proudly atop the Progressive House mountain with another summit finish of epic proportions, Matter can proudly claim, "We Are Here".
Directed by GMJ and Matter
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Matter
Text by James Warren
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