Ending the year on a high having witnessed a plethora of musical highlights, Meanwhile has been a shining beacon for progressive house throughout 2021. Now, Australian, Mike Rish, becomes the latest debutant to showcase his talents on GMJ & Matter’s blossoming imprint with the 3-track “Beyond” EP.

From his home on Australia’s south-eastern coast, Mike Rish has witnessed an impressive rise to notoriety, courtesy of a clutch of high-profile releases on an exclusive set of blue-chip labels. Not wanting to flood the progressive house scene with a swathe of formulaic dance music, the Melbourne resident’s “selective output” is based on a carefully thought-out commitment to “keep people engaged, but also wanting more”. Thus, Rish’s work for the likes of Colorize, Serendeep and Juicebox Music, has seen the Australian carve out a sizeable niche for himself, further enhanced by March 2021’s 12-track “Interlinked” album for UGENIUS Music.

Opening his Meanwhile account with the “Beyond” title track, a chunky beat and cavernous bass groove sit tightly against off-beat hats and snare. Filtering into sonic range, an elegant arpeggio provides glorious melodic interplay as white-noise washes and meandering pads pulse gently across the near 10-minute piece. Full of spine-tingling atmosphere, additional melodic phrasing is introduced at the breakdown before extending into the third movement with ease, combined with a raft of effects and masterful touches.

A bouncing bass groove immediately finds “Mindgame” oozing with hypnotic force and low-end menace. Sat perfectly in between deep kick and ticking hats, a flowing melodic line ripples across proceedings as it rises and falls with filtered dynamism. Twisted vocal cuts and acetylene-edged synth effects pitch with glissando range adding to the aural collage in a track full of dark and mesmerising beauty.

Closing the EP, “Here For You” is characterised by an intricate percussive arrangement that introduces a subtle melodic backdrop. Effects and textured pads span the stereo stage in modulated glory as a pulsating lead melody enters the fray in the second movement. Building steadily before revealing itself fully in the stripped back breakdown, the second half blossoms in commanding fashion with a pulsating confluence of rhythm and melody. The result is a track that illustrates Mike Rish’s unique talent and technique.

A musical triptych full of innovation and sonic narrative, Mike Rish has gone above and “Beyond” with a glittering display of production prowess.

MIKE RISH

https://soundcloud.com/mikerish

https://www.facebook.com/mikerishmusic

https://www.instagram.com/mikerish

MEANWHILE SOCIALS

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