Armin van Buuren Reclaims Himself on Ninth Studio Album: ‘Breathe' - Out Now

June 27, 2025 – Breathe in. Breathe out. For global dance icon Armin van Buuren, those words mark a profound personal journey toward balance, mental clarity, and self-acceptance. In recent years, the Dutch DJ and producer faced personal and professional challenges that forced him to slow down and realign with what truly matters. That journey is captured in the two-part structure of his ninth studio album, ‘Breathe’: ‘Breathe In’, released a year ago, and ‘Breathe Out’, releasing now. Together, they form a cohesive body of work that mirrors Armin’s mental and physical transformation. More than just an album, ‘Breathe’ is a story of growth, a return to self, and a reminder to pause, reflect, and simply breathe. Alongside this creative rebirth, Armin’s dedication to improving his physical health has transformed him inside and out — a journey now powerfully symbolized by his appearance on the cover of Men’s Health Netherlands.

"Around five years ago, I hit a point where I wasn’t truly happy, energized or present," says Armin van Buuren. "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." That realization launched a years-long transformation, grounded in introspection and wellness, to create a clearer mind and reconnect with himself and with music. “It took me a while to get to where I am today. Not just musically, but in terms of balance and clarity,” Armin van Buuren explains. “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.”

This personal transformation is deeply woven into the album’s DNA.“I’ve never felt this clear and focused in the studio,” Armin shares. “Taking care of myself, mentally and physically, gave me the headspace to experiment, to collaborate without pressure, and to really enjoy the process again.” It’s that renewed state of mind that allowed Armin to produce his most extensive body of work to date, fueled by the feeling of freedom to cross boundaries and step far outside his comfort zone.

‘Breathe’ features a remarkable 51 tracks that showcase Armin at his most creatively free and inspired. From crowd-pleasing anthems to genre-defying collaborations including brand-new singles ‘Let It Be For Love’ (feat. JAI RYU) and ‘Want Some More’ (feat. Sam Harper), the album includes a star-studded lineup featuring David Guetta, Bon Jovi, Moby, ALOK, Indira Paganotto, Pendulum & Rob Swire, Oliver Heldens, and more. Each collaboration reflects Armin’s bold mindset and openness to push beyond genre boundaries. Also featured are longtime crowd favorites ‘Dream A Little Dream’ (with Sam Gray) and ‘Gimme The Love’ (with Seth Hills, feat. Alessia Labate).

That sense of wellness extends beyond the studio. Armin’s path to mental clarity has been closely tied to improving his physical health: regular training, conscious eating, and caring for his body became pillars in building a more grounded and fulfilling life. “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,” he shares. “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,” Armin van Buuren shares. As part of his personal journey, Armin set himself the challenge of doing a Men’s Health cover shoot. A way to push his limits and prove to himself how far he’d come. What started as a private goal became something he chose to share publicly, now featured on the cover of the magazine’s July 2025 issue, symbolizing the deep personal work behind the scenes.

With growing awareness of the pressures artists face, Armin’s vision is to help shift the culture towards greater openness and support. He explains, “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, especially in this industry. It’s something I’ve wrestled with for a long time, and I’ve come to see that vulnerability can be a real strength.” Through ‘Breathe’, Armin not only shares his own journey but hopes to inspire others to embrace openness and find their own path to healing, happiness and creative freedom.