Returning to Meanwhile after his successful full debut in 2024, Tonaco now provides further evidence of impressive craftsmanship courtesy of a new musical trilogy in "Howler". Rooted in the cerrado landscapes of Tocantins, Tonaco is an artist trying to build a musical profile far beyond his South American home. Renowned for its rivers, soybean plantations and vegetation that develops long roots to flourish, the Brazilian is a unique figure. Trying to establish his own roots and identity far beyond his home, Tonaco has witnessed a growing body of work after 2019's "Vollus" EP on Transensations Records. Indeed, subsequent releases across onedotsixtwo, Mango Alley, WARPP and Balance Music have drawn backing from Sasha & John Digweed, Guy J and Hernán Cattaneo, while a June 2023 feature on the "Balance Selections 250" podcast, plus international bookings across Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have carried his sound well beyond home turf. No more visible has this been seen than in Croatia as part of the celebrated "Balance 2026" lineup in August. Taking another bow on Meanwhile after April 2024's "Disturbia / Avalon / Crackdown" EP, Tonaco returns to GMJ & Matter's best-selling progressive imprint with another glittering trio of gems. The opener is a typically smooth and chunky affair with "Howler" immediately impressing with its intricately arranged percussive backdrop. As mesmerising as a hypnotist's swinging pocket watch, a subtly evolving groove builds with repetitive motif and a panoply of effects and robotised voice. Pausing briefly at the three-quarter mark to introduce a new melody and white noise riser, "Howler" quickly continues where it left off as the earlier groove hits its dancefloor mark. Partner track, "Senvena" quickly impresses with its laidback rhythm and subterranean bass groove. Building easily across its 8-minutes, white-noise risers herald a deep motif before transitioning into a muted arpeggiated bed that is revealed gently at the breakdown with diaphanous vocal phrasing. Picking up earlier rhythmic patterns in the second half, the track is a masterclass in deep Progressive House. The final track continues the deep progressive narrative as a huge bass note swell in "Hemp" is syncopated immaculately within a rolling rhythmic backdrop. As hypnotic as it is potent, a series of reverb-drenched risers and filtered effects keep the club-friendly vibrancy high. Hitting the high notes with snare fills and percussive dynamism, "Hemp" is perfect for sultry late-night dancefloors. Redolent in immaculate production credentials and impressive intensity, there are no weak links in Tonaco's "Howler". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

Returning to Meanwhile after his successful full debut in 2024, Tonaco now provides further evidence of impressive craftsmanship courtesy of a new musical trilogy in "Howler". Rooted in the cerrado landscapes of Tocantins, Tonaco is an artist trying to build a musical profile far beyond his South American home. Renowned for its rivers, soybean plantations and vegetation that develops long roots to flourish, the Brazilian is a unique figure. Trying to establish his own roots and identity far beyond his home, Tonaco has witnessed a growing body of work after 2019's "Vollus" EP on Transensations Records. Indeed, subsequent releases across onedotsixtwo, Mango Alley, WARPP and Balance Music have drawn backing from Sasha & John Digweed, Guy J and Hernán Cattaneo, while a June 2023 feature on the "Balance Selections 250" podcast, plus international bookings across Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have carried his sound well beyond home turf. No more visible has this been seen than in Croatia as part of the celebrated "Balance 2026" lineup in August. Taking another bow on Meanwhile after April 2024's "Disturbia / Avalon / Crackdown" EP, Tonaco returns to GMJ & Matter's best-selling progressive imprint with another glittering trio of gems. The opener is a typically smooth and chunky affair with "Howler" immediately impressing with its intricately arranged percussive backdrop. As mesmerising as a hypnotist's swinging pocket watch, a subtly evolving groove builds with repetitive motif and a panoply of effects and robotised voice. Pausing briefly at the three-quarter mark to introduce a new melody and white noise riser, "Howler" quickly continues where it left off as the earlier groove hits its dancefloor mark. Partner track, "Senvena" quickly impresses with its laidback rhythm and subterranean bass groove. Building easily across its 8-minutes, white-noise risers herald a deep motif before transitioning into a muted arpeggiated bed that is revealed gently at the breakdown with diaphanous vocal phrasing. Picking up earlier rhythmic patterns in the second half, the track is a masterclass in deep Progressive House. The final track continues the deep progressive narrative as a huge bass note swell in "Hemp" is syncopated immaculately within a rolling rhythmic backdrop. As hypnotic as it is potent, a series of reverb-drenched risers and filtered effects keep the club-friendly vibrancy high. Hitting the high notes with snare fills and percussive dynamism, "Hemp" is perfect for sultry late-night dancefloors. Redolent in immaculate production credentials and impressive intensity, there are no weak links in Tonaco's "Howler". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

Meanwhile Progressive House

Featuring on Meanwhile for a first collaborative outing, Buenos Aires' Juan Deminicis and La Plata producer, Casnik, join forces on "Inner Glow / Phasebreaker", a two-track tour de force where established credibility meets rising promise.\n\nA Buenos Aires mainstay whose progressive house grounding stretches back two decades, Juan Deminicis began producing genre-defining Progressive House in the late-2000s, refining his craft with the support of the industry's A-list tastemakers. Prolific and celebrated, a 2010 victory in a remix competition for Cid Inc.'s "Filaments" saw a release on Replug, opening the door to a catalogue that now spans Guy J's Lost & Found, Hernán Cattaneo's Sudbeat, Guy Mantzur's Plattenbank, Eelke Kleijn's Outside The Box and Carl Cox's Global Underground, alongside a raft of releases on Proton Music, UV Noir, and Mango Alley. His own Soulsynth imprint has since become a further outlet for that prolific streak. A regular alongside Guy J, Guy Mantzur, Jody Wisternoff, Darin Epsilon and Roy Rosenfeld among others on the global club circuit, Juan made his first appearance on Meanwhile courtesy of EANP's 2024 outing "The Other Side", while a guest turn that now becomes a full collaborative twin-track EP.\n\nCity Bell, La Plata-raised producer, Nicolás Castillo, has created a significant stir under his Casnik moniker with a journey from the DJ booth to the studio moving swiftly since 2018. A shift toward Progressive and Melodic House from 2020 focused his energy, and a 2021 relocation to Tulum placed him inside one of dance music's more storied creative cities. Continuing to DJ in the famous clubs of the area, production work in tandem saw releases on Mango's Mango Alley, Forty Cats' PURRFECTION and Roger Martinez's HIGHER STATES. Casnik and Juan Deminicis are no strangers to each other's studios, having already teamed up on Soulsynth's "03" in November 2024 as the duo now mark their collaborative debut.\n\n"Inner Glow" is full of the hallmark rhythmic prowess that has become such a central pillar in the Juan Deminicis production playbook. A deeply resonant and bouncing bassline provides dancefloor sensibility while diaphanous pads create a pulsating sonic atmosphere. A more powerful lead line is introduced at the mid-point and through the flowing breakdown to reach a satisfying denouement, before the bouncing groove and searing melodic effects gain a foothold in the third movement to a dramatic conclusion.\n\nThe percussive intricacy of "Phasebreaker" is apparent from the outset with a meticulously programmed rhythmic backdrop forming the basis for beautifully cadenced synth stabs to add to the panoply of layers. A delicious vocal enters the fray in the second movement, accompanied by a serenely imagined combination of melodic flair and dramatic bassline. Pulsating white noise waves make their presence felt at the breakdown alongside the rich melodic phrasing before dropping back into the hefty bass groove and lead motif that cuts through the mix with ease. The result is an enthralling sonic masterclass. \n\nTwo producers with South American sonic roots, Juan Deminicis and Casnik burn brightly with "Inner Glow / Phasebreaker" on Meanwhile.\n\nDirected by GMJ & Matter\nMastered by Cid Inc.\nDesign by Matter\nText by James Warren

Featuring on Meanwhile for a first collaborative outing, Buenos Aires' Juan Deminicis and La Plata producer, Casnik, join forces on "Inner Glow / Phasebreaker", a two-track tour de force where established credibility meets rising promise.\n\nA Buenos Aires mainstay whose progressive house grounding stretches back two decades, Juan Deminicis began producing genre-defining Progressive House in the late-2000s, refining his craft with the support of the industry's A-list tastemakers. Prolific and celebrated, a 2010 victory in a remix competition for Cid Inc.'s "Filaments" saw a release on Replug, opening the door to a catalogue that now spans Guy J's Lost & Found, Hernán Cattaneo's Sudbeat, Guy Mantzur's Plattenbank, Eelke Kleijn's Outside The Box and Carl Cox's Global Underground, alongside a raft of releases on Proton Music, UV Noir, and Mango Alley. His own Soulsynth imprint has since become a further outlet for that prolific streak. A regular alongside Guy J, Guy Mantzur, Jody Wisternoff, Darin Epsilon and Roy Rosenfeld among others on the global club circuit, Juan made his first appearance on Meanwhile courtesy of EANP's 2024 outing "The Other Side", while a guest turn that now becomes a full collaborative twin-track EP.\n\nCity Bell, La Plata-raised producer, Nicolás Castillo, has created a significant stir under his Casnik moniker with a journey from the DJ booth to the studio moving swiftly since 2018. A shift toward Progressive and Melodic House from 2020 focused his energy, and a 2021 relocation to Tulum placed him inside one of dance music's more storied creative cities. Continuing to DJ in the famous clubs of the area, production work in tandem saw releases on Mango's Mango Alley, Forty Cats' PURRFECTION and Roger Martinez's HIGHER STATES. Casnik and Juan Deminicis are no strangers to each other's studios, having already teamed up on Soulsynth's "03" in November 2024 as the duo now mark their collaborative debut.\n\n"Inner Glow" is full of the hallmark rhythmic prowess that has become such a central pillar in the Juan Deminicis production playbook. A deeply resonant and bouncing bassline provides dancefloor sensibility while diaphanous pads create a pulsating sonic atmosphere. A more powerful lead line is introduced at the mid-point and through the flowing breakdown to reach a satisfying denouement, before the bouncing groove and searing melodic effects gain a foothold in the third movement to a dramatic conclusion.\n\nThe percussive intricacy of "Phasebreaker" is apparent from the outset with a meticulously programmed rhythmic backdrop forming the basis for beautifully cadenced synth stabs to add to the panoply of layers. A delicious vocal enters the fray in the second movement, accompanied by a serenely imagined combination of melodic flair and dramatic bassline. Pulsating white noise waves make their presence felt at the breakdown alongside the rich melodic phrasing before dropping back into the hefty bass groove and lead motif that cuts through the mix with ease. The result is an enthralling sonic masterclass. \n\nTwo producers with South American sonic roots, Juan Deminicis and Casnik burn brightly with "Inner Glow / Phasebreaker" on Meanwhile.\n\nDirected by GMJ & Matter\nMastered by Cid Inc.\nDesign by Matter\nText by James Warren

Meanwhile Progressive House

An artist of continually rising reputation, Maze 28 is another welcome returnee to the Meanwhile imprint. With a debut solo EP to showcase, the reptilian "Iguana / Cobra / Komodo" takes centre stage. Under his Maze 28 moniker, Durrës-born Mario Zefi has become a leading figure in the underground dance fraternity with a plethora of Progressive House hits and occasional forays into Melodic Techno and Electronica arenas. Debuting in 2020 at eighteen, the Albanian star transitioned fully into the Progressive House arena with 2023's "Redux/Flux" on the Beatport number one selling Mango Alley. Since then, Balance Music, UV, Anjunadeep and Alex O'Rion's Solis Records have all featured the Maze 28 sound – including a return to Mango Alley in late 2025 for the"Leave the World Behind" album – as Albania's leading progressive export continues to go from strength to strength. Having thrilled with "Superbloom" on "Meanwhile Excursions, Vol. 4" in September 2024, "Iguana" sees Maze 28 open proceedings with a thumping rhythmic powerhouse that provides dancefloor vibrancy courtesy of a rapid-fire percussive top line. A swung 16th note bassline ups the pace further as layers of effects and subtle melodics evolve with ease. Replete with white-noise risers at the breakdown, the track explodes into the second half with a sliced vocal cut as the rhythmic intensity of earlier phases continues. "Cobra" continues the dark and unwavering bassline intensity of its predecessor as hefty beat and head-shaking hats create club-friendly fervour. Metronomic intensity continues as a pitched vocal phrase adds gravitas. Elegant melodic flourishes create further intrigue as does a siren-effect at the breakdown, reaching a powerful zenith before finding its way back to the beat-laden intensity. The final track reveals an oriental-themed percussion element that develops hypnotically across "Komodo". Flooded with spine-tingling chord progressions, the rhythmic force of partner tracks is replicated here but a glorious breakdown of free-flowing motif and dizzying pads and risers creates a devastating platform for additional elements to extend into the second half in glorious dance-friendly technicolour. Shape-shifting with ease across a landscape of reptilian-themed music, Maze 28 is lizard-king extraordinaire. Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

An artist of continually rising reputation, Maze 28 is another welcome returnee to the Meanwhile imprint. With a debut solo EP to showcase, the reptilian "Iguana / Cobra / Komodo" takes centre stage. Under his Maze 28 moniker, Durrës-born Mario Zefi has become a leading figure in the underground dance fraternity with a plethora of Progressive House hits and occasional forays into Melodic Techno and Electronica arenas. Debuting in 2020 at eighteen, the Albanian star transitioned fully into the Progressive House arena with 2023's "Redux/Flux" on the Beatport number one selling Mango Alley. Since then, Balance Music, UV, Anjunadeep and Alex O'Rion's Solis Records have all featured the Maze 28 sound – including a return to Mango Alley in late 2025 for the"Leave the World Behind" album – as Albania's leading progressive export continues to go from strength to strength. Having thrilled with "Superbloom" on "Meanwhile Excursions, Vol. 4" in September 2024, "Iguana" sees Maze 28 open proceedings with a thumping rhythmic powerhouse that provides dancefloor vibrancy courtesy of a rapid-fire percussive top line. A swung 16th note bassline ups the pace further as layers of effects and subtle melodics evolve with ease. Replete with white-noise risers at the breakdown, the track explodes into the second half with a sliced vocal cut as the rhythmic intensity of earlier phases continues. "Cobra" continues the dark and unwavering bassline intensity of its predecessor as hefty beat and head-shaking hats create club-friendly fervour. Metronomic intensity continues as a pitched vocal phrase adds gravitas. Elegant melodic flourishes create further intrigue as does a siren-effect at the breakdown, reaching a powerful zenith before finding its way back to the beat-laden intensity. The final track reveals an oriental-themed percussion element that develops hypnotically across "Komodo". Flooded with spine-tingling chord progressions, the rhythmic force of partner tracks is replicated here but a glorious breakdown of free-flowing motif and dizzying pads and risers creates a devastating platform for additional elements to extend into the second half in glorious dance-friendly technicolour. Shape-shifting with ease across a landscape of reptilian-themed music, Maze 28 is lizard-king extraordinaire. Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

Meanwhile Progressive House

Returning to Meanwhile after his successful full debut in 2024, Tonaco now provides further evidence of impressive craftsmanship courtesy of a new musical trilogy in "Howler". Rooted in the cerrado landscapes of Tocantins, Tonaco is an artist trying to build a musical profile far beyond his South American home. Renowned for its rivers, soybean plantations and vegetation that develops long roots to flourish, the Brazilian is a unique figure. Trying to establish his own roots and identity far beyond his home, Tonaco has witnessed a growing body of work after 2019's "Vollus" EP on Transensations Records. Indeed, subsequent releases across onedotsixtwo, Mango Alley, WARPP and Balance Music have drawn backing from Sasha & John Digweed, Guy J and Hernán Cattaneo, while a June 2023 feature on the "Balance Selections 250" podcast, plus international bookings across Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have carried his sound well beyond home turf. No more visible has this been seen than in Croatia as part of the celebrated "Balance 2026" lineup in August. Taking another bow on Meanwhile after April 2024's "Disturbia / Avalon / Crackdown" EP, Tonaco returns to GMJ & Matter's best-selling progressive imprint with another glittering trio of gems. The opener is a typically smooth and chunky affair with "Howler" immediately impressing with its intricately arranged percussive backdrop. As mesmerising as a hypnotist's swinging pocket watch, a subtly evolving groove builds with repetitive motif and a panoply of effects and robotised voice. Pausing briefly at the three-quarter mark to introduce a new melody and white noise riser, "Howler" quickly continues where it left off as the earlier groove hits its dancefloor mark. Partner track, "Senvena" quickly impresses with its laidback rhythm and subterranean bass groove. Building easily across its 8-minutes, white-noise risers herald a deep motif before transitioning into a muted arpeggiated bed that is revealed gently at the breakdown with diaphanous vocal phrasing. Picking up earlier rhythmic patterns in the second half, the track is a masterclass in deep Progressive House. The final track continues the deep progressive narrative as a huge bass note swell in "Hemp" is syncopated immaculately within a rolling rhythmic backdrop. As hypnotic as it is potent, a series of reverb-drenched risers and filtered effects keep the club-friendly vibrancy high. Hitting the high notes with snare fills and percussive dynamism, "Hemp" is perfect for sultry late-night dancefloors. Redolent in immaculate production credentials and impressive intensity, there are no weak links in Tonaco's "Howler". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

Meanwhile Progressive House