Armin van Buuren Collaborates with Rob Swire in New Song: ‘Sound of You’ Marks an Impressive Comeback After Monophobia 2018

The electronic music world is buzzing with excitement as Armin van Buuren and Rob Swire join forces for their latest collaboration, ‘Sound of You’. This marks their first official project together since the 2018 hit ‘Monophobia’, which captivated fans with its unique blend of trance and progressive house elements. With both artists known for their genre-defining sounds, expectations are high for this new track. Will it live up to the hype and push boundaries in the EDM scene?

A Legendary Collaboration: Armin van Buuren & Rob Swire Reunite

Both Armin van Buuren and Rob Swire are icons in their respective fields. Armin, a five-time DJ Mag Top 100 winner, has shaped the trance and progressive house genres for over two decades. Meanwhile, Rob Swire, best known as the frontman of Pendulum and one-half of Knife Party, has had an undeniable influence on drum and bass, dubstep, and electro house.

Their first collaboration, ‘Monophobia’, was released in 2018 under deadmau5’s Mau5trap label. The track blended deadmau5’s signature progressive melodies with Swire’s unmistakable vocals, creating a song that resonated with both mainstream and underground EDM audiences. Now, with ‘Sound of You’, Armin and Rob aim to recreate that magic while introducing fresh sounds and innovative production techniques.

‘Sound of You’: What We Know So Far

While full details about ‘Sound of You’ remain under wraps, early previews suggest a track that blends Armin van Buuren’s signature euphoric trance melodies with Rob Swire’s haunting vocal delivery. Unlike their previous collaboration, which leaned into progressive house influences, this new track reportedly features a more uplifting, high-energy trance vibe—something fans of Armin’s classic sound will appreciate.

Key elements expected in ‘Sound of You’:

• Powerful, emotive vocals from Rob Swire, bringing an atmospheric depth to the song.

• Driving trance basslines and progressive build-ups, signature elements of Armin’s production style.

• Cutting-edge sound design, merging both artists’ unique approaches to electronic music.

• A balance between club-friendly energy and emotional depth, making it a potential festival anthem.

How ‘Sound of You’ Compares to ‘Monophobia’

It’s inevitable that ‘Sound of You’ will be compared to ‘Monophobia’, given that both songs feature Rob Swire’s vocals and involve some of the biggest names in the electronic music industry. However, while ‘Monophobia’ was a collaboration between Swire and deadmau5, this time, Swire is stepping into Armin van Buuren’s trance-driven world.

Major Differences Between ‘Sound of You’ and ‘Monophobia’:

• Genre: ‘Monophobia’ leaned more toward progressive house, whereas ‘Sound of You’ is expected to feature a trance-heavy sound.

• Production Style: Deadmau5’s signature minimalist, melancholic melodies dominated ‘Monophobia’, while Armin’s trademark uplifting, festival-ready synths will likely be more prominent in ‘Sound of You’.

• Energy Levels: While ‘Monophobia’ had a more restrained energy, ‘Sound of You’ is anticipated to be a high-energy, club-driven anthem.

What This Means for Armin van Buuren’s Career

Armin van Buuren has always been known for pushing the boundaries of trance and progressive music. Over the past few years, he has experimented with various styles, including collaborations with pop artists and influences from big-room house. However, with ‘Sound of You’, many fans believe he is making a return to his trance roots, which made him a global superstar.

This collaboration is also a testament to Armin’s ability to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry. Working with an artist like Rob Swire, who is known for genre-blending and constantly evolving sounds, ensures that Armin continues to innovate while staying true to his core musical identity.

Rob Swire’s Impact: Bringing an Edge to Trance

Rob Swire is no stranger to high-profile collaborations, but working with Armin van Buuren represents an exciting new chapter. His involvement in the project brings:

• A unique vocal style that is instantly recognizable and highly emotive.

• Rock and drum & bass influences, which could add an unexpected twist to the trance foundation.

• A production mindset that challenges traditional trance elements, ensuring the track sounds fresh and modern.

For Swire, this collaboration also marks a potential return to more melodic and vocal-driven music, following years of darker, bass-heavy projects with Knife Party.

How ‘Sound of You’ Could Influence the Future of EDM

With both Armin van Buuren and Rob Swire having massive followings across different electronic subgenres, ‘Sound of You’ has the potential to bridge gaps between trance, progressive house, and even drum and bass audiences. The song could:

• Inspire more cross-genre collaborations, encouraging other EDM artists to mix their styles in new and creative ways.

• Reinforce the return of vocal-driven trance anthems, a trend that has been gaining momentum recently.

• Set the stage for Armin and Swire to work together on future projects, possibly leading to an album collaboration or a live performance together.

The Fan Reaction and Early Reviews

Although the track is yet to be released, early previews and teaser clips have generated massive anticipation among fans. Many long-time followers of Armin van Buuren are excited to see him working with such an influential vocalist and producer. Similarly, Rob Swire’s fanbase has been eagerly waiting for him to explore more melodic and vocal-driven music.

On social media, fans have shared their excitement:

• “Two legends in one track? This is going to be insane!” – Twitter user @TranceAddict

• “Finally, Armin is bringing back those euphoric melodies with one of the best voices in electronic music!” – Reddit user /r/EDMfan

• “Swire’s vocals on an uplifting trance track? Take my money!” – Instagram comment

Final Thoughts: Will ‘Sound of You’ Be a New Classic?

With the combined genius of Armin van Buuren and Rob Swire, expectations for ‘Sound of You’ are sky-high. If the track lives up to its potential, it could become one of the most significant EDM releases of 2025, solidifying its place alongside ‘Monophobia’ as a fan favorite.

For now, all eyes are on the official release, with fans eagerly anticipating whether this new collaboration will mark another milestone in electronic music history. One thing is certain—whenever Armin van Buuren and Rob Swire come together, magic happens.