Legendary trance DJ and producer Armin van Buuren has released a monumental 51-track album titled Breathe, marking a bold and personal new chapter in his career. This deeply introspective project charts van Buuren’s emotional transformation—from burnout and emptiness to clarity and balance—after decades of relentless touring and global fame.
A Career on Autopilot
After more than 30 years as one of the world’s most celebrated electronic music artists, Armin van Buuren found himself disconnected from his own success.
“Around five years ago, I hit a point where I wasn’t truly happy, energized or present,” he revealed. “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.”
This moment of self-awareness became the spark that eventually led to Breathe, his ninth studio album—and arguably his most ambitious.
Breathe: A Dual Album Representing Healing
The Breathe project is divided into two parts:
- Breathe In, which was released in 2024
- Breathe Out, released now in 2025
Together, they form a journey through personal growth, with Breathe In symbolizing acceptance and Breathe Out representing the release of outdated versions of oneself.
According to a press release from Armada Music, the label behind the project, this is Armin’s “most creatively free and inspired” work to date.
Vulnerability as Strength in the Music Industry
Van Buuren’s story echoes a growing conversation in the entertainment world about mental health. The trance legend hopes to normalize these discussions, especially in an industry known for nonstop schedules and high pressure.
“Realizing how easily this can happen, how it can affect both your personal life and career, and how hard it is to control, I want to help normalize conversations around mental health,” he said. “It’s something I’ve wrestled with for a long time, and I’ve come to see that vulnerability can be a real strength.”
Mindfulness Fuels Creativity
Despite its massive size, Breathe isn’t just about quantity. The album’s expansive tracklist includes titles like “When We Come Alive” and “God Is In The Soundwaves,” indicating deep emotional and philosophical reflections.
Rather than presenting mindfulness as a trendy lifestyle choice, Armin van Buuren treats it as a professional necessity—a requirement for sustaining long-term creativity.
“I’ve never felt this clear and focused in the studio,” he shared. “Taking care of myself, mentally and physically, gave me the headspace to experiment, to collaborate without pressure, and to really enjoy the process again.”
A Message for Fans and Fellow Artists
With Breathe, Armin van Buuren offers more than music. He delivers a message of healing, transformation, and self-care that resonates far beyond the DJ booth.
As fans dive into the 51-track odyssey, they’re not just witnessing an artist at his creative peak—they’re experiencing a deeply human journey from burnout to balance.