Armin van Buuren’s latest album, Breathe, is an ambitious 51-track odyssey showcasing the full spectrum of his sound and growth as an artist.
For Armin van Buuren, the release of his ninth studio album, Breathe, marks a major milestone in his musical career and mental health journey. Released on June 27 via Armada Music, the 51-track double album is split into two parts—Breathe In, which dropped last year, and the newly released Breathe Out—and reflects the Dutch icon’s evolution both as an artist and as a person.
The emotion coursing through the album is palpable, with songs like “Let It Be For Love” with JAI RYU, “Dream A Little Dream” with Sam Gray, and “Sweet Escape” with Lucky Lou, and “Alive” reflective of the emotive sound design Armin is famous for. But Breathe is an impressive feat for its genre-defying nature, and rather than confining himself to one lane, Armin leaned fully into experimenting with other dance music subgenres.
Armin van Buuren
Around five years ago, I hit a point where I wasn’t truly happy, energized or present. I had been running on autopilot for years, constantly chasing the next thing. I felt like I was drifting, and I needed to wake up. It took me a while to get to where I am today. Not just musically, but in terms of balance and clarity. Everything I’ve learned, every step, every struggle is in this album. ‘Breathe’ represents a full circle moment. It’s me at peace with who I am, and I hope people can hear that freedom and honesty in the music.
Breathe features an impressive roster of producers Armin brought on for collaboration. One of the biggest standouts on Breathe is “Sound of You,” a heavy-hitting dancefloor drum and bass track featuring DnB legends Pendulum and vocals from Pendulum’s lead singer, Rob Swire. The track reimagines the original trance version Armin released with Swire in March, giving it a high-octane makeover while both versions hold a place on the album.
Other notable collaborations include “In The Dark” with David Guetta and Aldae, “What Took You So Long” with Gryffin, “Follow The Light” with Hardwell, “When We Come Alive” with Vini Vici and ALBA, and “Dragon” with Indira Paganotto. In addition to a stacked assortment of dance music producers, the album also features several standout vocal performances from a number of well-known singers, most notably Bon Jovi on “Keep The Faith” and Julia Church on “Fire With Fire.”
The release of Breathe arrived alongside Armin van Buuren appearing on the cover of the Netherlands’ Men’s Health magazine. For Armin, his physical and mental health transformations went hand in hand. Regularly working out and eating mindfully gave him the mental clarity to improve his craft as a musician and produce Breathe.
“Taking care of my body helped me take care of my mind. It gave me energy, focus, and most importantly, the space to be more present, in life and in music,” Armin said. “I’m fitter than I’ve ever been, and it’s made me more productive, more creative, and more in love with what I do and who I am.”
Listen to Breathe on your preferred streaming platform, and follow Armin van Buuren to see where his journey takes him next!
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