Armin van Buuren has just released the 20th volume of his highly acclaimed A State of Trance mix album series. In ‘A State of Trance 2023 (Mixed by Armin van Buuren)’, listeners are treated to a 41-track journey that showcases the vast diversity of the trance genre. What sets this release apart from the previous ones is that instead of the usual two mixes, this album has three unique and vibrant soundscapes that cater to every listener’s musical taste. With its blend of old and new tracks, this album is a testament to Armin van Buuren’s vision and expertise in producing the best in trance music.
While previous installments of Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance mix album series typically contained two mixes, this year’s release breaks away from tradition by featuring a third mix. This third mix pays homage to Armin van Buuren’s own imprint, Who’s Afraid of 138?!. Initially, the label was nothing more than a joke on his A State of Trance radio show, but it quickly gained a legion of fans who loved the signature high-energy sound it promoted. The third mix on the album is dedicated to this style and features fourteen tracks that embody the label’s trademark sound. Notable tracks on this mix include two exclusive remixes – Bogdan Vix & UUFO’s remix of ‘Vulnerable’ and Maddix’s remix of ‘Computers Take Over The World’, both of which are taken from Armin van Buuren’s eighth studio album ‘Feel Again’.
The album also contains a third exclusive remix of ‘Dayglow’ (taken from ‘Feel Again’) by Bryan Kearney, along with numerous original tracks from Armin van Buuren, such as the previously unreleased ‘Fire With Fire’ (featuring HRRTZ and Julia Church) and the recent single ‘When We Come Alive’ (featuring Vini Vici and ALBA). Alongside these tracks, the album includes even more exclusive tracks and remixes from leading artists such as Ahmed Helmy, Luke Bond & M6, Super8 & Tab, and Crowd+Ctrl. These tracks are set to be released later this year on Armind, A State of Trance, and WAO138?!.
Armin van Buuren is a strong advocate for not confining trance music to a certain style or genre. He believes that the music should evoke a particular feeling, regardless of tempo or sound. ‘A State of Trance 2023 (Mixed by Armin van Buuren)’ reflects this belief, showcasing the evolution of trance music in recent years. The album’s three unique mixes are evidence of how the genre has expanded and evolved beyond its traditional boundaries. By embracing new sounds and styles, this album demonstrates that trance music is not limited to a specific formula, but rather is a dynamic and ever-evolving genre, capable of capturing a range of emotions and feelings.
“I’ve never been one to label music on the basis of tempo or the elements it contains.To me, every kind of music evokes a unique feeling, which means a record can feel like trance music even if it shares traits with tracks others would dub as, say, deep house or techno. Even though this notion has been a pillar within my radio show for years, I felt that dividing this new mix album into three sides instead of two would make a strong statement as to what trance music means to me, the brand and so many fans who share my view.”
Armin van Buuren