by Nobody had ARGY on their Armin van Buuren collaboration bingo card. And yet, the two titans of electronic music have delivered a masterclass in genre-blending with their latest release, “Like A Child.” This marks the first-ever link-up between the Dutch trance icon and the Greek melodic techno producer, arriving now via Armin’s own label, Armada Music.
The track made its high-profile debut on the mainstage of Ultra Music Festival Miami earlier this year. Following its premiere, it became a staple in sets at EDC, A State of Trance, Resistance Miami, and Ushuaïa Dubai. By the time it reached a formal release, the record had already spent months being rigorously road-tested in front of some of the largest crowds in the world.
Two Worlds, One Record
The most successful collaborations do not simply split the difference between two artists; they create something entirely new that neither could have achieved alone. Armin van Buuren has long operated at the melodic, mainstage end of the electronic spectrum. As a five-time No. 1 in the DJ Mag Top 100 and the host of the long-running A State of Trance radio show, his influence is global and enduring.
Conversely, ARGY entered a fresh phase of his career with his 2021 release “Ketuvim,” which triggered his induction into the Afterlife family. He has since established a distinct sonic identity: hypnotic, cinematic, and emotive techno. His follow-up, “Tataki,” became the definitive soundtrack of the 2022 Tulum season, catapulting him from an underground favorite to a global stage.
“Like A Child” proves that the gap between their respective fanbases is smaller than many might expect. Armin’s melodic instincts and ARGY’s darker, driving energy converge in a track that carries peak-time weight without sacrificing emotional depth. The inclusion of Marlo Rex’s vocals provides the final, essential layer. “I wanted to capture the feeling of going back to the beginning and remembering why I make music,” Marlo explains, adding a sense of reflection that elevates the track beyond a standard club record.
Reflecting on the process, Armin van Buuren noted, “I loved working with ARGY on this one—it came together really naturally. The vocals from Marlo Rex add a special emotional layer that fits perfectly with both of our styles.” ARGY echoed this sentiment, stating, “We held onto this collaboration idea until the right track came together, and now it’s ready. ‘Like A Child’ feels special.”
A New Era for Both Artists
For Armin, “Like A Child” continues a strategic run of collaborations that keep his sound current while honoring his roots. For ARGY, the track serves as another signal of his expanding NEWORLD era—a global concept tour that has taken him to prime slots at Tomorrowland and sold-out headline shows across the United States, Asia, and the Middle East. It is clear that both artists are operating at the peak of their creative powers, pushing boundaries and finding common ground in the process.
