In just a whirlwind of ten days, renowned Dutch DJ and producer Martin Garrix has traversed the international music scene, showcasing his relentless energy and dedication. From Sepang to Singapore and Los Angeles, Garrix has been on the move since he was just 16 years old. Now, at the age of 30, he has spent nearly half his life touring the world, learning the intricate art of performance and travel along the way.
With such an intense schedule, Garrix has honed an invaluable skill set that helps him navigate the complexities of travel and performance. He has mastered techniques to combat jet lag and carefully stows away USB flash drives carrying his extensive music library while living out of a suitcase. He also knows how to create a captivating 60-minute set for some of the globe’s most prestigious dance music festivals.
Yet, Garrix acknowledges that despite his experiences, he still has much to learn. “I realize I don’t know shit,” he tells Rolling Stone. “And that’s a very incredible feeling. There’s so much I can still grow into, so much I can still learn.” This revelation has driven him to explore new dimensions in his career, evolving beyond the DJ booth and into the realm of vocal artistry.
A Long-Awaited Debut Album
This evolution culminates in his forthcoming album, MARTY, set to be released on March 5, 2027, through Interscope Records and his own label, STMPD RCRDS. Named after his early DJ alias, this 14-track album marks Garrix’s first foray into pop music, as opposed to previous projects he describes as “club albums.” “It feels like the first pop album — pop-dance, basically,” he clarifies.
The album serves as a personal and epochal journey, designed to give listeners an intimate glimpse into Garrix’s life. Each song crafted on MARTY acts as a chapter in his narrative, starting with the lead single “Catharina,” a tribute to his mother, and traveling through themes of life, death, and rebirth. This album strives to answer a question surrounding Garrix’s artistic evolution since his breakout hit, “Animals,” in 2013: Who has he become?
Star-Studded Collaborations
Excitement surrounding MARTY is heightened by a lineup of collaborators whose names evoke intrigue. Confirmed artists include icons like Madonna, U2, Ed Sheeran, and Spanish pop star AITANA, with more names likely to be announced. Garrix expresses awe at collaborating with such legendary figures, saying, “Even when Madonna released her album, I was just like, ‘How is my name on hers?’”
Garrix’s ability to work alongside pop, rock, and R&B heavyweights is well-documented, including past collaborations like “Summer Days” with Macklemore and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump and “Scared to Be Lonely” with Dua Lipa. However, in an unprecedented move, Garrix will take the microphone for the first time, singing solo on four tracks of the album. Two songs, “Catharina” and “This Dream of You,” have already been unveiled.
Finding His Voice
For years, Garrix refrained from singing because of his comfort with writing for others. “To be honest, the reason I [hadn’t] done it is because I was very comfortable,” he admits. However, encouragement from Bono of U2 pushed him to embrace his vocal talents, leading to a newfound confidence. Bono’s guidance included advice on vocal delivery and assistance with lyrics, proving vital to Garrix’s transition into this new artistic expression.
Singing has not come easily for Garrix, who notes, “It’s very far out of my comfort zone.” However, he views it as a necessary step, particularly for his more personal songs, stating, “It’d be weird if somebody sang a song about my mom.” This reclaiming of his voice serves not only as an act of artistic expression but also as a way to assert his identity as a musician.
Anticipation for MARTY
The release of “Catharina” acted as a test for Garrix’s new approach to singing, gauging audience reactions to his intimate and personal storytelling. While some listeners interpreted the song as romantic instead of maternal, the feedback has mostly been positive.
Though MARTY promises to deliver moments of euphoria typical of Garrix’s previous work, he acknowledges a need for depth in his music. “I’m definitely excited to show people a bit more than they know,” he remarks. He aims to demonstrate the creative process behind his tracks, which involves writing on the guitar and crafting demos instead of merely assembling pre-produced tracks. “I want to grow,” he emphasizes, reflecting a commitment to his artistry that goes beyond just crowd-pleasing dance tracks.
