Dutch superstar Sam Feldt just released his brand new album Time After Time. It marks a bold evolution in his sound, blending his signature tropical-house style with deeper emotional storytelling and organic instrumentation. We at EDMTunes had the pleasure to sit down and get personal with him on his album, fatherhood and his grate achievements in the last few years.
Sit back and enjoy the read and let us know what you think! The bold text will be our questions.
Congratulations on your second studio album, Time After Time. Can you tell us the story behind the album—how it came together and what inspired its creation?
Thanks! Time After Time represents my most personal musical journey yet. As I entered my 30s and embraced fatherhood, I realized this album needed to capture that evolution – both as an artist and as a person. Each track reflects different chapters of growth and discovery, from the emotional vulnerability of ‘Lonely Tonight’ with Justin Jesso and Parson James to the passionate energy of ‘Mi Amor’ with JVKE and Anitta. The album is my invitation to fans to connect these tracks with chapters of their own lives, recognizing the milestones that have defined them while embracing what lies ahead. It’s not just about looking back – it’s about making memories that’ll last and celebrating the limited time we all have on this planet.
Do you have a personal favorite track on the album? If so, what makes it stand out to you?
‘Follow The Waves’ holds a special place for me. It’s a return to my tropical house roots, crafted specifically for my day-one fans, but wrapped in a 2025 future tropical jacket. The track embodies pure freedom and joy – I wanted to create something that transports people to their happy place, feeling the sand between their toes and the sound of waves in their ears. It perfectly bridges where I came from with where I’m heading.
What does your creative process look like when it comes to writing music? How do you typically approach idea generation and selecting the right vocalists for each track?
My process has evolved significantly over the years. I started with Fruity Loops back in the day, now called FL Studio – everything was colored and playful, which made it easy to get into. Now, my music reflects my journey through life. I focus on creating emotional landscapes first, then finding vocalists who can bring that specific energy to life. For ‘Lonely Tonight,’ Justin and Parsons’ chemistry was perfect for exploring that paradox we live as artists – one minute you’re on stage with thousands screaming your name, the next you’re alone in a hotel room. I look for artists who understand the story I’m trying to tell and can add their own authentic perspective to it.
Your signature tropical house sound is beloved around the world. How did you come to discover and shape that sonic identity?
It happened organically through years of experimentation. I’ve always been drawn to melodies that make people feel something positive, combined with rhythms that make them move. Drawing inspiration from legends like Avicii and Kygo, I developed what I now call ‘Future Tropical’ – maintaining those signature feel-good vibes while pushing the sound forward into new territories. The key is balancing euphoric festival moments with intimate late-night reflections. My sound works both on the Ultra mainstage and in those quiet moments when you
need to find peace.
You opened the Main Stage at Ultra 2025—a huge moment, especially during the festival’s 25th anniversary. How did it feel to kick off such a milestone event?
Incredible. Ultra has always been where dance music history is made, and opening their 25th anniversary felt like a full-circle moment. I premiered tracks from Time After Time during that set, which made it even more special. The energy was electric – there’s nothing like that Ultra crowd embracing new music on such a massive scale.
You’ve played at Ultra in 2017, 2022, and now 2025. How have your sets changed or evolved across those years, both musically and in terms of performance style?
Each Ultra performance has marked a significant milestone in my career. My 2022 Main Stage return after 5 years away (well, not quite, since I played the Live stage too). And COVID-19, was incredibly special – it kicked off an amazing new chapter. By 2023, I was doing Endless Summer sets with Jonas Blue. Now in 2025, I’m premiering my most ambitious album yet. Musically, I’ve evolved from pure tropical house to Future Tropical, and the production has transformed completely. Going from basic visuals to full synchronized production with time-coded visuals and SFX has changed how we create moments for the crowd.
Congratulations on recently welcoming a son! How has becoming a father impacted your perspective on life and music?
Thank you! Seeing Florian for the first time completely shifted my priorities. Suddenly, my music wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about creating a legacy and showing him that you can turn passion into purpose. That made me more intentional about the messages in my music and the impact I want to have beyond just entertainment. Fatherhood has brought a deeper emotional layer to my songwriting. Because of that experience, the themes of time, growth, and what matters in life are much more prominent in this album.
What does the rest of 2025 have in store? Are there any exciting projects, collaborations, or tours coming up that fans should look forward to?
2025 is shaping up to be massive. Beyond the album, I’m expanding the Heartfeldt Foundation’s impact through a developing collaboration with the United Nations on Sustainable Development Goals initiatives – bringing together music and global environmental action, which is core to who I am. On the music side, I’m working on some incredible collaborations that I can’t announce yet, but they’ll surprise people. The touring schedule is packed with festivals where I’ll be bringing the Time After Time experience to life with full production.
Just for fun—if you hadn’t pursued a career in music, what do you think you’d be doing today?
Probably something in tech or entrepreneurship. I’ve always been drawn to innovation and building things that impact people’s lives. Even now, beyond music, I’m involved in various ventures as an angel.More actively as a shareholder in other projects. The entrepreneurial spirit that drives my music career would have found another outlet. Maybe I’d be building the next big platform or working on sustainability solutions. But honestly, I can’t imagine a world without music central to my work.
Hope you all enjoyed this read with Sam Feldt. Follow him to see his new releases and tour dates. Give his album a listen and stay tuned to EDMTunes for all your latest music updates.