Nobody had ARGY on their Armin van Buuren collaboration bingo card. And yet, the two titans have delivered ‘Like A Child,’ the first-ever link-up between the Dutch trance icon and the Greek melodic techno producer. The track is now available via Armin’s own label, Armada Music.
The track first made waves when it premiered on the mainstage of Ultra Music Festival Miami earlier this year. Following its debut, 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, it had already spent months being road-tested in front of some of the largest crowds in the electronic music scene.
Two Worlds, One Record
The most successful collaborations do not simply split the difference between two artists; they find a unique middle ground that neither could have achieved alone. Armin van Buuren has long operated at the melodic, mainstage end of the 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.
On the other side of the spectrum is ARGY. He entered a fresh, highly successful phase with his 2021 release ‘Ketuvim,’ which triggered his induction into the Afterlife family. This established his current sonic identity: hypnotic, cinematic, and emotive techno. His follow-up, ‘Tataki,’ became the definitive soundtrack of the 2022 Tulum season, topping Beatport charts and catapulting him from an underground favorite to a massive international audience.
‘Like A Child’ proves that these two distinct musical worlds are closer than many fans 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 vocals from Marlo Rex provide the final piece of the puzzle. As Marlo explains, ‘I wanted to capture the feeling of going back to the beginning and remembering why I make music.’ That sense of reflection gives the track a layer of vulnerability rarely found in standard club records.
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. — Armin van Buuren
Reflecting on the process, ARGY added, ‘We held onto this collaboration idea until the right track came together, and now it’s ready. ‘Like A Child’ feels special.’
What It Means for Both Artists
For Armin, ‘Like A Child’ continues a strategic run of collaborations that keep his sound current while honoring his legacy as one of the most enduring figures in electronic music. For ARGY, the track signals the continued momentum of his ‘NEWORLD’ era—a global concept tour that has taken him to prime slots at Tomorrowland and sold-out headline shows across the United States, Japan, and the Middle East.
‘Like A Child’ is out now on Armada Music.