After nearly two decades of shaping the sound of Anjunabeats and captivating dancefloors around the world, trance mainstay Oliver Smith has finally unveiled his debut studio album, Footprints — a richly textured, deeply personal journey through the many shades of his musical identity. Released today, May 2nd, on Anjunabeats, Footprints is not just a milestone for the London-based producer, but a love letter to the fans who’ve followed every beat of his evolution.
For those entrenched in the Anjuna universe, Oliver Smith is no stranger. As the first ever signing to Above & Beyond’s iconic label and the only artist aside from the trio to appear on all 16 volumes of the Anjunabeats Volume series, Oliver’s name has long been synonymous with emotional, melody-driven electronic music. But Footprints goes beyond the club — it’s a storybook, chronicling his artistic maturation and the footprints left behind by every track, idea, and collaboration.
“Even the tracks that didn’t make it left an imprint,” Oliver shares. “This inspired the album title.”
From the opening notes of Signals to the cinematic crescendo of Breathe (a stunning closer featuring Midnite Amity), Footprints showcases the full spectrum of Smith’s sound. There’s the classic trance euphoria fans know and love in tracks like Don’t Hold Back and Breathe, the gritty, bass-forward energy of Legacy (with FARLEY), and house-flavored detours like Love Is A Feeling with Susie Ledge — a clear nod to his Meramek alias and Anjunadeep roots.
Perhaps most notably, Footprints shines in its vocal collaborations. Benjamin Roustaing lends his voice to three standouts (Miss You, Hold Back, Be The One), infusing them with raw emotional weight. Tailor, Amy J Pryce, FARLEY, Diana Miro, and MØØNE also join the journey, each bringing a unique flavor to Oliver’s finely tuned production palette.
This is not just a producer stringing together club-ready singles — it’s a fully formed album with intention and depth. Oliver’s songwriting feels both expansive and intimate, offering moments of dancefloor catharsis and others of introspective calm. Tracks like Open Up and It Is What It Is balance vulnerability with uplifting melodies, tapping into something universal yet uniquely Oliver.
Preceded by fan-favorite singles Rely On Me and Breathe, which drew widespread support from legends like Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Don Diablo, and Solarstone, the album has already made waves before its full unveiling. Add in placement on major editorial playlists across Spotify and Apple Music, and it’s clear that Footprints is set to be one of Anjunabeats’ most celebrated releases of the year.
For longtime fans, Footprints is a reward for years of loyalty — and for newcomers, it’s the perfect starting point to dive into one of trance music’s most consistent and forward-thinking artists. As the dust settles on its release day, one thing is clear: Oliver Smith may have taken his time, but in doing so, he’s delivered something timeless.
Oliver Smith’s debut artist album “Footprints” will be out on May 02nd, 2025!
Order your digital or physical copy here: https://anjunabeats.ffm.to/rr2yeqd.SYR
Tracklist “Oliver Smith – Footprints“:
- Oliver Smith – Signals
- Oliver Smith & Tailor – Rely On Me
- Oliver Smith & MØØNE – Wash Away
- Oliver Smith & Benjamin Roustaing – Miss You
- Oliver Smith & Diana Miro – It Is What It Is
- Oliver Smith & Benjamin Roustaing – Hold Back
- Oliver Smith & Susie Ledge – Love Is A Feeling
- Oliver Smith & Amy J Pryce – Open Up
- Oliver Smith & FARLEY – Legacy
- Oliver Smith & Benjamin Roustaing – Be The One
- Oliver Smith – Redline
- Oliver Smith & Midnite Amity – Breathe
