Armin van Buuren and Malou recreate ‘Everything I Wanted’, tell you not to be disappointed
In a powerful fusion of emotional vulnerability and dancefloor energy, Armin van Buuren and singer-songwriter Malou have teamed up to breathe new life into Billie Eilish’s haunting ballad, “Everything I Wanted”. Released as part of the A State of Trance, Ibiza 2025 album, this reimagined version transforms Eilish’s introspective lament into a soaring, euphoric trance anthem. The track is a shining example of how emotional depth and electronic music can come together in a cathartic, unforgettable experience.
Three decades into his celebrated career, Armin van Buuren continues to demonstrate his uncanny ability to take deeply personal stories and reshape them into transcendent sonic journeys. With Malou’s poignant vocal interpretation and van Buuren’s masterful production, “Everything I Wanted” becomes not just a cover, but a redefinition—where angst becomes anthem, and sorrow becomes strength.
Trance as Therapy: Armin van Buuren’s Signature Touch
Trance music has always occupied a unique space in electronic music, where melody meets emotion and euphoria balances melancholy. For Armin van Buuren, one of the genre’s most iconic figures, this balance has defined his sound from the beginning. Known for global hits like “This Is What It Feels Like” and “Shivers,” van Buuren excels at capturing universal feelings—love, loss, hope, despair—and expressing them through lush harmonies, progressive builds, and atmospheric breakdowns.
In this new version of “Everything I Wanted”, Armin van Buuren doesn’t shy away from the weight of Billie Eilish’s original lyrics. Instead, he embraces them, amplifying their emotional core through sweeping trance synths and carefully structured layers that mirror the highs and lows of Eilish’s narrative. The result is a track that feels expansive yet intimate, energetic yet sincere.
Malou’s Vocal Performance: Emotion Without Compromise
If Billie Eilish whispered her pain into a microphone, Malou echoes it through a megaphone of resilience. Her voice doesn’t just replicate the original; it reinvents it. Where Eilish’s version is stripped-down and introspective, Malou’s delivery adds lift and projection, striking a delicate balance between accessibility and introspection. She doesn’t dilute the message but elevates it, allowing the lyrics to resonate across festival fields and club nights.
This contrast between Eilish’s whispery vulnerability and Malou’s empowered expression gives the track a new dimension. It’s not simply a reinterpretation—it’s a transformation. The performance honors the emotional weight of the original while opening the door for communal release, something trance music has long excelled at facilitating.
From Bedroom Ballad to Dancefloor Epic
When Billie Eilish first released “Everything I Wanted”, it quickly became an anthem for quiet despair, touching on themes of self-doubt, dreams gone wrong, and the comforts of a single person who understands you. The minimalistic production emphasized intimacy, keeping the listener close to Eilish’s whispered truths.
Armin van Buuren’s version, by contrast, expands that intimacy into a universal experience. His trance production lifts the melody skyward, with ethereal pads, rolling basslines, and shimmering arpeggios giving the track a heartbeat it never had before. While the lyrics remain deeply personal, the context shifts—they become something listeners can dance to, cry to, or lose themselves in.
In trance tradition, it becomes both personal and collective. The pain expressed in the lyrics doesn’t get lost in the production; it’s supported by it, held up like a flame in the night.
A State of Trance, Ibiza 2025: A Showcase of Emotion
“Everything I Wanted” is one of the highlights of the A State of Trance, Ibiza 2025 compilation, curated and mixed by Armin van Buuren himself. The annual series has become a staple for trance fans worldwide, offering a taste of the genre’s ever-evolving sound while staying true to its emotional roots. This latest release continues that legacy, featuring new talents, fresh remixes, and reworks that blend innovation with nostalgia.
Within that context, the collaboration with Malou stands out as a bold artistic statement. It’s not just a remix, and it’s more than a cover—it’s a fusion of past and present, of pop introspection and trance optimism. It’s a reminder that even the darkest songs can find new life under different lights.
Why This Collaboration Works
The magic of this reimagining lies in the chemistry between Armin van Buuren’s veteran production skills and Malou’s fresh, emotive vocals. Both artists bring something distinct to the table. Armin, with his decades of experience and intuitive understanding of musical storytelling, provides the sonic foundation. Malou, with her expressive tone and modern sensibility, delivers the emotional punch.
Together, they take a song originally built for quiet rooms and introspection, and turn it into something that fills open-air stages and echoing festival halls. It’s a powerful reminder of how music evolves, and how different genres can interpret the same message in profoundly moving ways.
Legacy and Reinvention in Electronic Music
In an age where remix culture is often driven by trends, this collaboration stands apart. It’s not driven by algorithmic thinking or market demands but by a genuine artistic vision. Armin van Buuren has always had a knack for sensing which tracks deserve new energy, and he has the technical and emotional toolkit to bring them to life in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, Malou is emerging as a voice to watch—someone capable of crossing genre boundaries without losing her artistic identity. Her performance here suggests not just talent but depth, and it opens the door to more collaborations in the future.
Conclusion: From Shadows to Spotlight
With “Everything I Wanted”, Armin van Buuren and Malou have created something truly special—a track that respects the original while boldly stepping into new territory. It’s a testament to the transformative power of music and a shining example of how electronic producers and vocalists can reinterpret familiar material in ways that resonate even more deeply.
Billie Eilish gave the world a whisper of pain; van Buuren and Malou returned it as a roar of hope. The reimagined version of “Everything I Wanted” reminds us that sadness doesn’t have to stay in the shadows—it can be sung, danced to, and ultimately turned into something uplifting. Whether you’re a fan of trance, pop, or simply great music, this track deserves a place on your playlist. It’s not just a cover—it’s a celebration of resilience, redefined through sound.
