Why Martin Garrix’s Latest Tracks Sound Nothing Like ‘Animals’: The Untold Story Behind His Break from Big Room and His Bold New Direction

When Martin Garrix burst onto the global electronic dance music scene in 2013 with the track “Animals”, he instantly became a household name. The song, with its powerful drops and catchy melodies, was more than a club hit — it marked the arrival of a new prodigy in EDM. Since then, Garrix has continued to evolve his sound, balancing mainstream appeal with experimental innovation. This article explores how Garrix’s style has transformed from early big-room house to today’s forward-thinking productions.

Early Breakthrough: The Making of “Animals”

The track “Animals”, released in 2013, was a game-changer not just for Martin Garrix, but for the entire electronic music industry. As a teenage DJ from the Netherlands, Garrix captured the raw energy of big room house — a subgenre characterized by massive synth builds and powerful bass drops — with an infectious melody that resonated worldwide.

“Animals” was unique because it broke the traditional vocal-driven formula of popular music, relying entirely on instrumental hooks. This allowed Garrix to showcase his production skills and musical intuition without needing featured vocalists. Its viral success made him a symbol of a new generation of self-made digital producers.

Transition and Expansion: Embracing Vocal and Emotional Depth

After the monumental success of “Animals”, Martin Garrix faced the pressure to avoid being typecast as a one-trick big-room DJ. His following releases took a distinct turn toward more melodic, vocal-driven music.

Songs like “Scared to Be Lonely” (2017), featuring Dua Lipa, combined emotive lyrics with polished future bass and progressive house production. It represented a significant shift from instrumental dominance to a more emotionally resonant, radio-friendly sound.

Collaborations such as “In the Name of Love” with Bebe Rexha further pushed him into the mainstream, highlighting his ability to craft powerful crossovers between pop and EDM. These tracks showed his growing interest in songwriting as much as production, a trend that would continue into his later work.

Embracing Experimentation: Fresh Collaborations, New Sound Palettes

In recent years, Garrix has increasingly experimented with sound design, genre fusion, and collaborations with diverse artists. His 2025 single “Our Time”, with Afrojack, David Guetta, and Amél, is a perfect example — blending nostalgic EDM with modern vocal textures and polished drop dynamics.

Another highlight, “MAD”, sees Garrix return to high-energy festival music but with more sophisticated layering and modern rhythm structures. These tracks showcase a producer who understands crowd dynamics, but also the evolution of listener tastes in an era of genre-hopping and streaming algorithms.

Technical Mastery and Modern Production Innovation

A major driver of Garrix’s evolution has been his growing mastery of production tools and sound engineering. He’s gone from using basic DAWs like FL Studio in his early years to now leveraging advanced production suites, hardware synthesizers, and custom plugin chains to craft his sonic signature.

He incorporates complex layering, vocal chopping, ambient sound beds, and atmospheric builds — techniques often used in cinematic or ambient music — into what would traditionally be “festival EDM.” This hybridization reflects how he bridges the technical rigor of audio engineering with the emotional pacing of modern music storytelling.

His live performances also reflect this evolution. Real-time remixing, use of MIDI controllers, synced visuals, and immersive audio experiences have become standard in his shows, especially at festivals like Ultra Miami 2025 and Tomorrowland.

The Power of Collaboration in Shaping His Identity

Martin Garrix’s musical journey is deeply tied to his collaborations. Working with vocalists like Tove Lo, Dua Lipa, and Arijit Singh, or producers like Afrojack and Guetta, allows him to constantly refresh his sound.

The 2025 release “Weightless”, featuring Indian superstar Arijit Singh, was a breakthrough in cross-cultural collaboration. Fusing Indian melodic phrasing with electronic backdrops created a fresh hybrid sound that introduced Garrix to a whole new audience while reinforcing his role as a global innovator.

These collaborations are more than marketing decisions — they’re explorations of genre, culture, and identity that reflect a maturing artist not afraid to take risks.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Producers

One of the most profound aspects of Martin Garrix’s evolution is the ripple effect it has had on young, aspiring producers worldwide. At just 17, Garrix showed that massive global success was possible even from a bedroom studio. His story became a blueprint for digital-native musicians.

Through masterclasses, online tutorials, and open discussions of his process, Garrix has inspired a generation of creators. His label, STMPD RCRDS, founded in 2016, also plays a key role in fostering young talent, offering them resources, guidance, and visibility — all values that reflect his commitment to community-building in electronic music.

Social Media and the Globalization of His Sound

Martin Garrix has been highly effective in using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to engage fans and promote new ideas. He regularly shares clips from live performances, previews of unreleased tracks, and behind-the-scenes moments from his studio sessions.

His viral moments — particularly debuting unreleased songs at major festivals — create a feedback loop where fan enthusiasm directly influences what makes it into final productions. Social media doesn’t just amplify his reach; it shapes his music direction in real-time, reinforcing his connection with a global audience.

A Glimpse of the Future: Cinematic, Ambient, and Global Fusions

As we move toward his highly anticipated 2026 album, signs point to Garrix exploring even more adventurous territory. In interviews and podcasts, he’s hinted at using ambient textures, organic instrumentation, and cinematic arrangements.

His live sets at Ultra 2025 revealed tracks that lean into mood-setting, slower builds, and emotional layering — far removed from the high-intensity drops of his earlier years. At the same time, his interest in global music — as seen in “Weightless” — suggests a coming wave of multicultural collaborations, world rhythms, and genre fusions.

It’s a sign that Martin Garrix isn’t just evolving — he’s expanding the very boundaries of what modern EDM can be.

Conclusion: A Constant Reinvention

From the iconic drop in “Animals” to the cinematic, collaborative, and global soundscapes of his recent work, Martin Garrix’s journey is one of constant reinvention. What makes him stand out isn’t just his technical brilliance or his ability to top charts — it’s his fearless openness to evolve, experiment, and embrace change.

By staying connected to fans, mentoring the next generation, and daring to take creative risks, Garrix has positioned himself not only as a superstar DJ but also as a visionary who continues to redefine the future of electronic dance music.