Returning to Meanwhile for his second solo outing on the label, Ruben Karapetyan arrives with another twin-track offering of considerable quality as he presents "Midnight Current / Between the Lines". A seasoned performer with almost 30 years of experience in the underground dance arena, Ruben Karapetyan has been hailed as Armenia's top electronic music export. Continuing to cement his place at the forefront of the global Progressive House community with a distinctive sound and mature production technique, a double century of production credits has seen the Armenian continue to succeed at the highest level. As such, a plethora of original and remix production material has found its way onto the likes of Paul Thomas' UV, Nick Warren's The Soundgarden and an array of releases for the best-selling Mango Alley, with his own RKP imprint continuing to flourish contemporaneously as a vehicle for his own music and a select collection of elite artists. Having opened his Meanwhile account with "Erectheum", part of the "Meanwhile Excursions, Vol. 3" compilation in mid-2023, Ruben oversaw a full debut with "Nostalgic Moments / Perceptual Isolation" in the summer of 2025. Now returning for a second twin-track offering, "Midnight Current" is a driving, commanding track that quickly builds with saturated bassline groove and swung shakers and hats. A sumptuous melodic palette enters the fray with thickly textured pads and a birdsong-style effect, while an arpeggiated lead adds to the sonic collage at the mid-point, rising to a stirring crescendo before a perfect drop back into the smooth flowing groove of earlier movements. The result is a trademark and immaculately crafted affair. Between the lines is a similarly deep affair with huge bassline presence and a kick felt in the heart of the listener's chest. A subtle tribal vibe begins to emerge with vocal chanting, hollow synth sound and haunting pads, before Ruben's club know-how comes fully to the fore with an immaculate juxtaposition between dancefloor character and head-swaying melodic textures. Additional motifs come to the fore in the breakdown before elevating the track higher still in the second half in a spine-tingling combination of melodic dynamism and rhythmic fire. Charged with sonic electricity and perfect for sets beyond the witching hour, Ruben Karapetyan excels with "Midnight Current / Between the Lines". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

A visionary artist with a unique sound, Stereo Underground makes his Meanwhile debut with a remarkable twin-track EP in the shape of "Souls from the Past / In the Middle of Everything". An iconic figure in the DJ and production spheres, Yariv Etzion has been a formidable figure in the world of modern Progressive House under his Stereo Underground moniker. Having performed in the company of John Digweed, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo and Lee Burridge, and co-founding the biggest music school in Israel through the BPM College, the Stereo Underground star burns brightly. Moreover, a production career that has amassed a double-century of credits has overseen a glittering array of releases for the likes of D-Nox's Sprout, Sasha's Last Night On Earth and Dave Seaman's Selador. Add to that a debut album in the shape of 2019's genre-defining "The Art of Silence" on Balance Music, a Beatport number one hit with D-Nox in "Dolby" and a global progressive anthem with "Flashes feat. Sealine", and it is not difficult to appreciate the Tel Aviv-based star's appeal. Now finding his way onto GMJ & Matter's leading imprint, "Souls from the Past" is a typically powerful and imaginative offering that drives relentlessly forward with hefty beat and off-beat hats. A sub-bass direct from the earth's core gradually filters into listener consciousness as an oscillated lead creates eerie tension. A magical counterpoint motif provides melodic harmony as the track explodes into life in trademark fashion with open-filtered glory and shimmering delays. Hitting its mark in the third movement, the track illustrates absolute mastery of a chosen craft. A clicking and popping percussive foundation forms the basis of partner track, "In the Middle of Everything" as it quickly evolves through majestic rolling groove. A series of thickly texture pads and delayed synth stabs add atmosphere aplenty through a swirling, intoxicating panoply of effects. Adding a syncopated bassline in the second half transforms the track once more into full dance-friendly territory as earlier pads combine to create a generous and mesmerising sonic stage. Very much a producer of the moment at the heart of the progressive movement, Stereo Underground excels on Meanwhile with "Souls from the Past / In the Middle of Everything". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Stereo Underground Design by Matter Text by James Warren

Another offering of impressive quality, Simos Tagias and Roger Martinez join forces for the first time as they deliver their "Inner Light / Shadow Work" EP. Both long-established artists in their own rights, Simos Tagias and Roger Martinez have inhabited the upper echelons of a competitive industry for a combined total of more than 800 production credits over three decades. Able to point to work on some of the most prestigious imprints in modern Progressive House, Simos has been a staple on Proton Music, Mango Alley and UV while a trio of original releases on Meanwhile since 2021 has seen the Greek star shine with "Euphoria / Emotion", "Archaios / Geometric" and "Skyline / A Memory". Similarly, Roger Martinez has been a visionary with his work for Lost & Found, Sudbeat and Anjunadeep with a plethora of releases on his own HIGHER STATES imprint. Work for Meanwhile has centred around July 2020's 3-track "Cosmic" EP with the high-profile triptych going on to be remixed by Paul Deep, Jamie Stevens and label heads GMJ and Matter. Now coming together for their collaborative debut, "Inner Light" is a chunky rhythmic powerhouse that hits hard with its thumping kick and shaker-driven percussion. Ripping arpeggios soon enter the fray as a sumptuous bass groove provides a low-end anchor. Building serenely, a wonderful lead-line drenched in atmospheric reverb and delay cascades across the left-right spectrum coming to the fore in an emotive breakdown. Hitting the heights once more, the second half combines melody, bass and rhythm in a carnival of sound that is a powerful example of the duo's production credentials. The darker vibe characterised by both its title and sonic palette, "Shadow Work" creates a seething and oppressive rhythmic presence with its top-line intricacy and bassline groove. Pitched vocal effects add to the atmosphere as richly textured pads and overlapping melodies build in interlaced patterns over a hypnotic beat. Darkly oscillating as it progresses over its 8-minute timeframe, the lattice work of sounds at the breakdown is a joy to behold before the driving rhythm makes it club-friendly presence felt through the third movement in an intoxicating cocktail of state of the art deep Progressive House. A pair of tracks from two iconic figures sees Simos Tagias and Roger Martinez step into the bright warm sun with their "Inner Light / Shadow Work" EP. Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

A prolific and talented artist, Michael A now debuts on Meanwhile with his Bansuri / Orridian EP. A Belarusian producer with almost 1,500 credits to his name, Michael A has carved out a sizable niche for himself since his debut work for Stereofaza and Fluro Music in early 2012. Over a hundred of these credits can be found on his own Genesis Music imprint, with a substantial number appearing on a host of blue-chip imprints that include the likes of Replug, Perspectives Digital and Hernan Cattaneos Sudbeat Music. Moreover, almost a century of credits can be found on the long-running an iconic, Proton Music, with 12,000 Beatport followers to its name, including the much-lauded Fantasy series which released its fifth volume in June 2024. Now making a very welcome debut on GMJ & Matters flagship label, opener Bansuri is a typically deep and dominant track that bristles with dark energy. A driving peat provides a relentless propulsion mechanism as an immaculately programmed bassline sits perfectly within the mix. Rapid-fire shakers and hats create subtle urgency and tension while a light and airy melodic sequence gradually evolves, lifting the whole track out of its oppressive floor-filling character at the breakdown with an ethereal blend of spine-tingling melody. Dropping back into its rhythmic foundations in the second half with dynamic intent, the central melodic themes come to force once more in a majestic denouement. Partner track, Orridian continues the dancefloor narrative with its whip-cracking, chest thumping kick before a gently pulsating bassline displays additional low-end purpose. Intricate percussive shakers and intermittent effects generate a rich and squelching stereo-panned melange as layer upon layer of energy and intrigue is created in a sumptuous sonic tapestry. Pausing for breath at the mid-point, another light and refreshing melodic sequence develops with effortless ease. Hitting its stride once more in the third movement, the interlocked rhythmic and bassline patterns of earlier phrase emerge once more, this time accompanied by delicate motifs and multi-textured pads. Worth his wait in gold for a Meanwhile debut, Michael A excels in hallmark fashion with Bansuri / Orridian . Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren

For their 75th release, Meanwhile turn to two of the biggest names in modern Progressive House as Mike Rish and Kasper Koman return to remix each other on Biome and GT. A self-styled quiet achiever Mike Rish has been at the sharp end of the progressive scene for more than 15 years and approaching a century of production credits. A hatful of those have come on GMJ & Matters Top 5 Beatport Progressive House imprint, spanning a productive 4-year period from late 2021. A magnificent 12 original tracks have spanned a quartet of 3-track EPs that began with Beyond and end most recently with May 2025s Sunset on Mars / Tornn / Shokl. A single remix of Jamie Stevens Storm Front is now joined by a second as the Melbourne artist reinterprets Kasper Komans number 1 selling Biome. Creating a pounding new beat, flowing percussive groove and mesmeric bass sequence, familiar effects from the original quickly make their presence felt. Building in intensity throughout its 8-minute duration, lengthy reverb tails and white-noise effects add to the dense atmosphere before a huge, pitched note rises in the breakdown to a hands-in-the-air moment. Dropping back into familiar rhythmic territory throughout the third movement, Mike Rishs production talent is on full display. From Utrecht in central Netherlands, Kasper Koman has forged a unique identity and reputation as one of underground dances most revered figures. Responsible for multiple Beatport number 1s, he is a self-defined designer of infectious beats, syncopated rhythms and impelling melodies. The resultant output is thus a unique blend of happiness, darkness and emotions. A career spanning nearly 20 years has subsequently led to releases on John Digweeds Bedrock Records, Guy Js Lost & Found and the evergreen Anjunadeep. The best-selling Biome / Sinking Sky EP marked a high watermark on Meanwhile in early 2024 as Kasper returns to the label to remix GT from Mike Rishs June 2023 triple-tracker. Using the tribal rhythms that formed the foundation of the original, Kasper quickly deviates from Mikes work with an inspiring bassline sequence that growls menacingly across the low-end. Waxing and waning with dancefloor ease, the mid-point finds a glorious array of effects from GT underpinned by a metronomic beat. Reaching a rousing crescendo, a huge analogue arp builds before a snarling effects-laden backdrop drives through the latter stages. Powering forward at relentless pace into a new era, Mike Rish and Kasper Koman discover new worlds with GT and Biome. Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren