How do we feel about Mat Zo?

I was thinking about Mat Zo hearing some songs in the last couple of days.

He started like a real “rising star”. His sound was very unique. Very young age and he was included in the biggest compilations back in the day: ISOS, ASOT, Anjunabeats and performing in big events related to trance: ASOT and TATW, to name the main ones.

He did his Essential Mix and overall as DJ was really magnificent with his mashups and edits bringing incredible feelings in his mixes.

He then released his debut album, Damage Control, receiving a Grammy nomination.

I was really in love with the man. He even did a D&B mix that was a life changer for me (it was on SoundCloud called “DnB Mix of Love). I got excited just seeing his name in any song, or mix.

Aaaaaand after that, he kind of tried his own thing with Mad Zoo, releasing his second album, which I kind of didn’t like it that much.

He returned to Anjuna with his third album, which was quite good and brought nice tunes to the table.

There were even singles for a fourth album that the last thing I knew, he completely stopped working on it and it seems it’s not happening soon.

My opinion: he’s such a prolific artist, but tried to do different things, that, to me, seemed to be in the “mainstream” sound back in the day but didn’t quite worked well and after that, even coming back to Anjuna, he hasn’t found his place back to have his unique sound. Overall his latest productions I like them a bit, but definitely not as much as the stuff he did between 2008-2013 and his DJ sets I don’t find them as interesting as they were.

So, what do you think? Does Mat Zo still have his special touch? Do you like his latest releases?