Firmly ensconced at underground dance’s top table, GMJ has matured into a powerful force. Returning to the Meanwhile imprint he founded with spiritual brother, Matter, “Empty to Fill” is an outstanding new offering.

An artist who has risen to prominence in both the live and production arenas, Gavin Griffin finds himself at the centre of an ever-vibrant Melbourne music scene. Home to a host of iconic names and a sound that helped define the progressive house genre in the 2000s, his GMJ moniker has continued to shape the modern progressive sound. With over 400 production credits to his name, a century alongside long-term partner, Matter, GMJ has seen his music adorn the likes of Balance Music, Anjunadeep and Proton Music.

Opening his solo account on Meanwhile with October 2020’s “Mood Medicine”, collaborative EPs with Matter have seen “Lost on Origin”, “The Path / Perfect Storm” and “Eldarin” light up the label, alongside remixes for Simos Tagias, Roger Martinez and Matter himself.

Opening with the title track, “Empty to Fill” is a chunky, subterranean groove-fuelled monster. Bristling with menacing vibe, lighter moments come courtesy of floating synth motifs that glide to the fore in a stripped back breakdown of delicate keys and gloriously delayed sequences. A pulsating white-noise riser heralds a return of the club-friendly groove and gorgeous melodic flow in the latter stages.

Continuing with the trademark rolling groove that watermarks the GMJ sound, “Door of Light” sparkles with arpeggiated backdrop and reverse-reverb vocal breaths. Evolving immaculately, stratified sonic layers flourish as they entwine together in organic fashion. Counterpoint motifs coruscate above pulsing white-noise swells as the aptly named track waxes and wanes in perfect dancefloor cadence, before reaching a rousing crescendo in an immersive sonic tapestry.

The final piece sees the popping percussive vibrancy of “Stage Flight” sit atop a stereo-panned bass groove. Building over its 7-minute duration, syncopated synth riffs lock tightly into the driving framework that reaches its culmination with a chorus of breathy pads and a drop back into the rolling bassline and mirrored synth sequence. The resultant track is a powerful snapshot straight out of the GMJ production playbook.

Chock full of rhythmic force and multi-faceted layers of sound, “Empty to Fill” displays a sparkling 24-carat hallmark of the GMJ sound.

GMJ - Empty to Fill

Rising out of Argentina's electronic underground and making his much anticipated Replug debut is Ivan Aliaga. Hailing from the talent-rich region of Cordoba, Ivan's musical palate takes reference from the progressive genre's vast spectrum; in turn creating an authentic voice that is discernibly his own. Noted for his attention to detail, tough kick drums and electric design quality, Ivan's craft shines through vividly, making each one of his creations an exhilarating experience. On the strength of releases via Mango Alley, Meanwhile, Or Two Strangers and The Soundgarden, Ivan has earned the praise of genre trendsetters Cid Inc, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo, John Digweed and more. Now, following his latest Mango Alley vehicle ‘Blue Shade', Ivan makes his Replug debut with a two-track showcase entitled ‘Lonely World'.

The EP's title selection ‘Lonely World' sets the tone with a remarkable display of rhythm and musicality. Tight, compact and bursting with ultrasonic energies, it's a creation built around meditative melodies and temperate harmonies. There's a strong sense of cruising across the first movement, one that allows the listener to relish in Ivan's rippling grooves and orbiting effects, in turn perfectly setting up a series of poignant chord changes and processed piano's which carry energy into the main break. Ivan's craftsmanship shines across the interlude, with effervescent phrasing and fuzzed out synth swagger cleverly coaxing, eventually revealing a pixie-like lead melody which pushes onwards to a finale that is equal parts cosmic and emotive.

The companion piece ‘Speed' follows and is an apt barometer of where Ivan's headspace is at, as he lets tight kick drums lay the foundation for gritty percussion and devilish effects to create a darker monochrome. Energies shift and emotion rises as hopeful pads emerge, bringing depth and space to the pyrotechnic framework, before getting washed away in a wave of deconstructed sonics for a heady finale. It's a thrilling conclusion to a fresh two-track showcase, one where Ivan Aliaga makes an impressive Replug debut, and carefully balances rhythm and groove with technique and melody.

Text by Release Promo
Mastered by Cid Inc Mastering
Cover Design by Dan Orsen

Lonely World

Buy on Beatport

Ivan Aliaga - Lonely World (Original Mix) [Replug]

A Celebration Of Existence

A Celebration Of Existence (Extended Mix)

Nikko.Z's Dopamine White rounds out the month of September by welcoming Sound Fusion to the label for his debut EP. Hailing from Poland, Tomasz Weychan aka Sound Fusion first came to our attention in 2012 with a release via Colorful Recordings. Noted for his retro-trance sound, the Tczew resident would go on to release a string of projects via Darkpload, before shifting his focus to progressive house. The change in sound would see Sound Fusion find a new family of labels to call his home in Electronic Tree, Massive Harmony and Mistique Music. Now, following a well-received debut for Balkan Connection's BC2 division, Sound Fusion adds Dopamine White to his resume with ‘Monolith / Pathways'.

Beginning with the deep, engaging sounds of ‘Monolith', the Polish artist takes aim at the foggy back rooms or early club moments. A smooth DJ friendly intro sets the pace for sweeping atmospherics, wispy effects and a bevy of cosmic creativities to captivate your mind. A foundation of warm kick drums and chunky basslines carve out a smooth path into the break, as melodic top lines bring a sense of hopeful anticipation. Concise and well-crafted, the interlude reveals a thought-provoking vibe, while the trance-inducing arps percolate with each successive pass, onwards to a tasteful build and emotive conclusion.

Rounding out the release are the atmospheric qualities of 'Pathways', a track where Sound Fusion maintains his deeper melodic design. A groovy aesthetic is quickly revealed, as holographic synths emerge atop buoyant beats and voluptuous basslines, flashing through a backdrop of reverent textures, eventually culminating across a poignant break to round out the EP on an epic note.

Words by www.releasepromo.com
Mastered by www.symmetricaudio.com

Monolith / Pathways

Sound Fusion - Pathways [Dopamine White]

Covak - Exploration (Original Mix)

400 Releases

Coral Reef (Original Mix)

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Nika (AR) - Coral Reef (Original Mix) [Out 13th Jan 2025]

Our Spotify Playlist:
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QODA - Spring Night [Journey of the Soul]

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All Stores:
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Dodeca - Estelar (Miroshin Remix) [Journey of the Soul]

Morn2Even - Eelcy

Started off with some inspiration from Vandelux, and even though I hate my own vocals, here they are. Here I am. Still working on not having too many elements, but this is an improvement.

G Major. 115 bpm.

A Celebration Of Existence (Extended Mix)

Slow Ted