Returning to Meanwhile once more, Alex O’Rion delivers a stunning new double with the twin-tracker ‘Tunnel / Blackout’

A regular on GMJ & Matter’s Beatport top 10 Progressive House imprint, Alex O’Rion has provided a score of production credits to Meanwhile. Among them, May 2021’s ‘Echium’ and August 2022’s ‘Pluvia / Solis / Sericum’ stand out as blue-chip original offerings with remixes for Rich Curtis, Jiminy Hop and GMJ & Matter themselves, adding to an increasingly successful portfolio.

The opener, ‘Tunnel’ is a driving rhythmic monster that revels in a rapid-fire percussive groove, booming kick and rolling bassline sequence. Pitching slightly as it evolves, the low-end supplies subtle melodic variation before a chorus of motifs, cadenced stabs, and rippling arpeggios create a sumptuous combination. Flowing freeform melodies emerge in the second movement and into the breakdown providing the perfect pause for breath before a rasping bassline sequence increases in intensity, heralding the return of a pounding third movement where all elements combine to devastating effect.

The deeper, darker techier flavours of ‘Blackout’ manifest themselves with a clicking and popping top-line arrangement while a chorus of effects and cone-melting bass groove supply simmering energy. As the track develops, a huge analogue synth swell appears as it pans the left-right spectrum in stereo unison. A pitched-down vocal effect adds an eerie feel at the breakdown as do the copious amounts of delay and reverb on the liberally sprinkled effects. Before long they are once again joined by the oppressive bassline dominance and intelligently worked melodic phrasing that emerges out of the effect-laden aural collage.

You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Blackout’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!

Release Date: February 7th, 2025. Buy Here

Alex O’Rion: Instagram // SoundCloud
Meanwhile: Instagram // SoundCloud