With tracks under his belt such as 'Easy' (with Porter Robinson), 'Rebound' (with ARTY), 'The Sky' and 'Superman', Matan Zohar, formally known as Mat Zo, is one of Anjunabeats’ most celebrated artists. His GRAMMY-nominated debut album, ‘Damage Control,’ released in 2013, gave Mat’s avant-garde approach to production its full expression. Featuring break-out hit ‘Easy’, the track took Mat mainstream: a BBC Radio 1 A-List addition, Sirius XM BPM listing, a #1 Billboard Heatseeking record, an Essential Mix of the year nomination, and, ultimately, a GRAMMY nomination for best dance and electronic recording.
The British producer’s latest studio album, ‘Illusion of Depth,’ was released on the label in October 2020. The album has garnered over 25 million streams and produced the singles 'The Next Chapter,' 'Problems,' and 'Colours’; the latter of which was placed in the soundtrack for the 2021 racing video game Forza Horizon 5.
Last year, Mat Zo released the ‘ZOCASE EP’, a series of three lengthy tracks with cutting-edge sounds; each track a genre-less display, spacing between progressive house, breakbeat and techno.
Kicking off 2025 with ‘Wounded’, an official cover of Fleet Foxes 2020 track, ‘Can I Believe You’, the renowned producer followed up with another single, ‘Stupid O’Clock’ in early September. A showcase of masterful sound design, these singles provide a unique sonic experience that demonstrates Mat’s widely respected production skills. Now, he returns with his latest genre-defying production, ‘A Long Time’. Reminiscent of his emerging years and ongoing reputation for musical experimentation, ‘A Long Time’ shows off an extended journey of twists and turns through almost eight minutes.
Buy/Stream: https://anjunabeats.co/1armbne.OYD
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Mat Zo - A Long Time[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Mat Zo’s A Long Time is a striking example of contemporary electronic music production that demonstrates a sophisticated blend of technical precision and creative daring. At a steady 124 BPM, the track unfolds over nearly eight minutes, moving fluidly through progressive, trance, and indie dance elements. Its sonic architecture showcases advanced layering techniques, with basslines that interlock seamlessly with rhythmic percussion patterns and atmospheric harmonic textures. The use of stereo imaging, reverb tails, and spatial effects creates a three-dimensional listening environment, giving the track a festival-ready, immersive quality. From a production standpoint, A Long Time highlights meticulous attention to detail in its transitions and drops. Automated filter sweeps, volume modulation, and sidechain compression ensure that each build-up flows into its corresponding release with impact and clarity. The dynamic range is carefully managed, maintaining an energetic loudness level without sacrificing tonal balance. Mat Zo’s signature approach to sound design—merging raw, analog-inspired synths with polished digital timbres—makes the track both innovative and club-friendly. Its intro and outro structures are DJ-conscious, offering sync-friendly cue points and looping potential for set integration. Beyond its technical merits, the track has profound positive effects on mental health and wellness environments. Scientific studies have shown that rhythmic entrainment at moderate tempos (110–130 BPM) can enhance mood regulation, reduce stress, and improve focus (Thoma et al., 2013). The uplifting melodic hooks and harmonic progressions in A Long Time stimulate dopamine release, contributing to emotional uplift (Salimpoor et al., 2011). In fitness and movement-based wellness classes, such music supports sustained physical activity by promoting a natural synchronization of movement with rhythm, which has been linked to improved exercise performance and enjoyment (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). For meditation or relaxation sessions focused on active mindfulness, its evolving sonic journey can encourage flow states, offering both cognitive stimulation and emotional relief. In human-centered terms, A Long Time demonstrates how well-crafted electronic music can transcend entertainment, acting as a tool for mental health support, physical engagement, and emotional well-being. Mat Zo’s balance of technical mastery and expressive artistry creates not just a track for the dance floor but an experiential soundscape that resonates with listeners on multiple levels. #PureGold Love iT[/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item][item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis (Part I). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44–66.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
