Armin van Buuren kicks off 2024 with Breathe In, unveiling 12 tracks that honor his trance legacy while embracing new sounds.
Armin van Buuren has come a long way from his humble beginnings in the mid-1990s.“Blue Fear,” one of his earliest hits, might sound unrecognizable to a new fan. The record features a groovy bassline while woodblock notes support driving, atmospheric synths, yielding a simple yet entrancing track. In today’s earsplitting scene, some might consider this a gentle work, but it fulfills its purpose: keeping you present and moving your body to the beat.
This musical skill of connecting with the listener can be universally heard in Armin’s discography, and it’s punctuated on his ninth album, Breathe In. For an effort that took more than two years to complete, the Dutch producer compiles 12 unique tracks that honor his trance background while embracing fresh influences that paint him in a new light.
The album’s opener, “Forever (Stay Like This),” is co-produced by GRAMMY-nominated duo Goodboys. This star-studded partnership results in a hypnotic, melodic anthem that looks to the past by invoking Guru Josh’s “Infinity,” weaving its iconic saxophone with a new infectious hook. Pop isn’t new territory for the trance titan, and he succeeds again in creating an earworm tune that will turn wherever you are into a karaoke room.
A few tracks later, he channels classic trance with Ferry Corsten, Rank 1, and Ruben de Ronde in “Destination (ASOT 2024 Anthem).” This aptly titled tune pays homage to the sounds of the early 2000s, resulting in an atmospheric number that includes futuristic textures, icy synths, and household rapid arpeggios.
One of the project’s most compelling movements is “God Is In The Soundwaves.” Partnering with UK producer Xoro and duo Yola Recoba, Armin dials up the tempo with a staccato-led vocal. This stutter house record weaves trance elements and new techniques from the rising producers, and the heart of their collaboration is heard when the second drop hits.
While tracks like “When We Come Alive,” “Inevitable,” and “Make It Count” carry a raw energy that’s fit for the mainstage, Armin balances that kinetic beat with “Bed of Rain.” Here, the producer favors a slow progression and puts the focus on Mila Josef’s gospel ballads. Her voice, gentle as ever, gives this anthem a cinematic feel, allowing the progressive synths to breathe and emote a larger-than-life presence.
Breathe In is one of Armin’s most pop works to date, but that doesn’t compromise its core messages. According to the dance veteran, his ninth album is about “welcoming the outside influence and establishing a deeper connection with everything, or everyone, around you.” His embrace of new sounds in this project presents a multidimensional image of the artist, however, that wasn’t always as apparent.
During last year’s 20th celebration of his record label, Armada Music, he shared that he felt his career would be over after releasing the 2012 pop hit “This Is What It Feels Like.” The act of balancing creative freedom and honoring your fans is never an easy one, but growing requires risk and experimentation.
Thankfully, Armin has remained fearless. In his latest work, he delivers an album that encompasses different corners of the dance world — compelling us to connect with each other and share the dancefloor.
Listen to Breathe In by Armin van Buuren on Spotify or your preferred platform. Follow the trance titan on socials to keep up with all of his updates!
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Armin van Buuren – Breathe In – Tracklist:
- Forever (Stay Like This) (with Goodboys)
- God Is In The Soundwaves feat. Yola Recoba (with Xoro)
- Love Is A Drug feat. Anne Gudrun
- Lose This Feeling
- Motive
- Destination (A State of Trance 2024 Anthem) (with Ferry Corsten, Rank 1, Ruben de Ronde)
- Inevitable feat. GREYLEE
- Fire With Fire feat. Julia Church (with HRRTZ)
- When We Come Alive feat. ALBA (with Vini Vici)
- Bed of Rain feat. Mila Josef
- Make It Count (with Just_us)
- Space Case
