An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Afterparty
With over three decades of groundbreaking music under his belt, Paul van Dyk returns with his first studio album in five years, This World Is Ours. Known for blending emotional depth with dancefloor energy, Paul dives into the creative vision behind the new record, how technology and humanity collide, and why staying real is more important than ever.
The trance pioneer returns with a new album exploring technology, humanity, and resilience — we spoke to him ahead of the release.
1: This World Is Ours marks your first album in five years. What inspired the direction and sound of this new chapter?
This project grew out of a deep reflection on where we are as a society, especially with how technology is becoming part of our everyday lives. I’m very pro-technology—I mean, I make electronic music! But it’s also important that we stay connected to what makes us human: our empathy, our creativity, our sense of togetherness. That’s the heartbeat of This World Is Ours. It’s a sonic statement about owning our future—on our terms.
2: How did the collaboration with Paul Thomas and EKKO come about for Shed Your Light? What was the creative process like?
Paul Thomas and I have known each other for years, and I’ve always respected his musical vision. We started sharing ideas that just naturally evolved into something powerful. I heard EKKO’s voice as a feature on a Spotify playlist… her voice and vocal energy, everything clicked into place and I asked her if she’s up for a collab. Shed Your Light is a track that feels deeply emotional and cinematic, but still very much rooted in that driving energy of progressive trance
3: The track touches on themes of resilience, hope, and transformation. How do these themes reflect your personal or artistic journey in recent years?
I think we’ve all been through a lot—personally and collectively. These last few years, especially post-pandemic, were filled with big questions and quiet moments of reassessment. For me, music has always been a way to navigate that. Beautiful, my collab with Julia Westlin, dives even more into this topic… it‘s about pushing through the darkness and remembering your strength. It’s reflective of my own process of reconnecting with the core of why I make music in the first place.
4: You’ve worked with a variety of artists on this album. How do you approach collaboration, and what made these particular voices feel right for the project?
To me, collaboration is about chemistry. Everyone on this album brought something unique—FUENKA, John 00 Fleming, Sue McLaren, Julia Westlin, The YellowHeads. We weren’t chasing a formula; we were just creating something real. I wanted to work with artists who were emotionally invested, not just technically skilled. That emotional honesty is what ties the album together.
5: SHINE Ibiza, Trancemission, and other major events continue to support your sound. How has the live experience influenced your album production?
The live energy is essential. When I’m on stage and see the emotional connection people have with the music—it’s overwhelming in the best way. That direct feedback shaped this album. It reminded me that even when we explore big ideas like AI and the future, it’s still about creating moments where people can lose themselves and feel truly alive.
6: With Shed Your Light out now, how has the early reaction been from fans and DJs?
The response has been beautiful. From longtime fans to new listeners, people are connecting with the message and the vibe. DJs have been super supportive, too. It’s one of those tracks that works equally well in a club setting and in headphones during a late-night drive. That duality is something I always aim for.
7: The title This World Is Ours feels both personal and universal — can you share the meaning behind it?
It’s exactly that—personal and universal. We’re living in a moment where it feels like everything is shifting, but that also means the future isn’t written yet. This world, this future, it still belongs to us. We can shape it, influence it, protect it. That’s what the title is about: empowerment, ownership, and possibility.
8: What can long-time fans expect from the full album, and what might surprise them?
They’ll definitely hear the classic emotional depth, the soaring melodies, and that driving beat they know me for. But there are also some experimental textures, some deeper, more progressive layers. Tracks like The Poem or Against the Algorithm might surprise people—they’re more introspective, pushing the boundaries of what electronic music can express emotionally and intellectually in more than 2-minutes-30-seconds.
9: Your music often carries emotional depth while staying dancefloor-ready — how do you strike that balance in the studio?
I never start a track thinking, “This needs to be a hit.” I start with a feeling—something real. From there, I build the track in a way that allows that emotion to breathe but still has the energy to move people physically. For me, the best electronic music lives in that balance: it hits you in the heart and in the feet.
10: In a world full of fast-moving trends, what does longevity in electronic music mean to you today?
It means staying true to your essence while staying curious. Trends will always come and go, but authenticity lasts. If your music reflects who you are—your experiences, your questions, your hopes—then it will always resonate with someone out there. That’s what I’ve learned after all these years: be real, be open, and always keep evolving.
Album Info
Paul van Dyk – This World Is Ours
The new studio album by Paul van Dyk, This World Is Ours, is officially out now via VANDIT Records. Released on April 11, 2025, the album blends progressive house energy with emotional depth and a forward-thinking message about technology, empathy, and the future of humanity.
Featuring collaborations with artists like Julia Westlin, Paul Thomas, EKKO, FUENKA, and John 00 , Fleming, the album invites listeners to reflect, dance, and connect.
Stream “This World Is Ours” now and follow Paul van Dyk as he continues redefining the sound of tomorrow’s dancefloor.
