Jean-Michel Jarre and Armin van Buuren Reimagine the Former’s “EPICA” as “EPICA MAXIMA”

Armin van Buuren added his effervescent flair to Jean-Michel Jarre’s remake of 2022’s “EPICA.”

Jean Michel Jarre and Armin van Buuren might seem like unlikely collaborators, but they’ve worked on music together for years now. Their newest joint effort is not a wholly original concept, but a new rendition of one of Jarre’s previous works. “EPICA” first appeared on his 2022 album, OXYMORE. It is now reborn as “EPICA MAXIMA.”

And a fitting title it is, as van Buuren’s maximal approach to arrangement can be immediately heard in the opening bars of the track. Pitched-up vocal chops glide above cinematic yet danceable sonics, an electronic symphony that swells to momentous peaks at various points throughout the song’s runtime. “EPICA MAXIMA” sees two electronic music greats convene on a concept as sophisticated as it is functional.

Jean-Michel Jarre was born in Lyon, France and studied at the Paris Conservatory as a young adult. He first composed music for ballet, theatre, and television programs, but his highly influential albums, Oxygène and Équinoxe — released in 1974 and 1978, respectively — broke new ground in the use of synthesizers. He has performed to crowds of over a million on four separate occasions and has sold more than 85 million albums.

Having come into his own during the late ’90s, Armin van Buuren is an icon in his own right. The DJ, producer, and Armada Music co-founder has broken new talent on his A State Of Trance radio show throughout its more than two decades on the air. He routinely performs on the main stages of such world-class festivals as EDC Las Vegas and Tomorrowland.

“It’s a big inspiration for me,” van Buuren said of Jarre’s legacy as an artist. “He is really one of the reasons why I’m into electronic music.” Previously, the two worked on a 2015 single titled “Stardust.”

Listen to Armin van Buuren and Jean-Michel Jarre’s collaboration, “EPICA MAXIMA,” on Spotify, and let us know what you think on X (formerly Twitter)!

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