New Chapter for a Trance Legend
Global dance icon Armin van Buuren has unveiled his most personal project yet — his first-ever acoustic album titled Piano. Released exclusively on Apple Music on October 31, the album marks a heartfelt shift from festival stages to intimate spaces. Known as the No.1 Trance DJ in the world, Armin now turns inward, trading pulsating beats for pure emotion.
Piano features 15 original self-composed tracks, each performed by Armin himself on the piano. A chamber orchestra joins him to create a soundscape rich in warmth and cinematic depth. This release represents more than a musical experiment — it’s a reflection of Armin’s journey toward stillness and vulnerability.
From Heart to Keys to Ears
Armin shared that creating melodies at the piano has always been central to his process.
“Creating melodies behind the piano has always been the foundation of my music,” he said. “Together with my teacher Geronimo, sketches grew into fifteen pure pieces, free from beats.”
For Armin, Piano is not just an album but a rediscovery of his roots. Growing up in a home surrounded by classical, rock, and electronic music, he found inspiration in artists like Vangelis and The Orb. After decades of festival tours, he longed for something simpler — “just fingers on keys.”
Recorded in One Take: Pure and Honest
In early 2025, Armin recorded the entire Piano album in a single take at ConcertLab in Utrecht, the world’s first purpose-built Fine Arts Music studio.
“This album is my most personal work: from heart, to keys, to ears,” Armin shared.
Each performance was captured over seven days, recorded and mixed in Dolby Atmos to deliver a deeply immersive experience. Alongside his solo piano pieces, Armin collaborates with cellists, a chamber orchestra, and violinist Lisa Jacobs, blending intimacy with orchestral grandeur.
The album also includes a moving piano rendition of Robert Miles’ classic Children, connecting Armin’s electronic legacy with his new acoustic chapter.
From Trance to Tranquility: Sonic Samba Sets the Tone
Ahead of the album’s release, Armin debuted his lead single Sonic Samba during Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2025. The exclusive Apple Store performance showcased his delicate fusion of rhythm and serenity.
A Dolby Experience: Behind the Sound of Piano
Following the Apple performance, Armin joined Dolby and Apple Music for a special listening session at the Dolby Atmos House in Amsterdam’s TOBACCO Theater. The event explored how Dolby Atmos enriched the emotional layers of Piano, creating a space where sound and silence coexist beautifully.
This album is more than a creative detour — it’s a personal statement. It reveals Armin van Buuren not as a superstar DJ but as a musician reconnecting with his essence.
Conclusion: A Moment of Stillness in Motion
With Piano, Armin van Buuren invites listeners to pause, breathe, and feel. It’s a rare glimpse behind the decks — a journey from trance to tranquility, where emotion takes center stage. As Armin puts it, “This project shows another side of me: intimate, honest, direct.”
You can stream Piano and the new single Sonic Samba now exclusively on Apple Music.
Listen to Armin van Buuren on Apple Music