Jul 31, 2026
Paul Oakenfold Returns With Mission Underground
Paul Oakenfold is one of the most influential figures in electronic music, with a career spanning decades of innovation in trance and dance music. With his new album “Mission Underground,” he reimagines classic tracks with a darker techno/trance edge while collaborating with some of the scene’s biggest names. We spoke with Paul about the vision behind the album, his creative process, and the evolution of trance.
Hey Paul, thanks for joining us to talk about your new album Mission Underground. What was the original vision behind this second chapter of the Mission series, and what did you want listeners to experience with this album?
I wanted to take some of these classic tracks that I used to play back in the day and give them a modern techno/trance interpretation. I hope listeners will enjoy these new versions.
I wanted to take some of these classic tracks that I used to play back in the day and give them a modern techno/trance interpretation. I hope listeners will enjoy these new versions.
This project brings together artists from across generations of electronic music, including Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Infected Mushroom and Marie Vaunt. How did you decide which artists would be part of Mission Underground?
I chose a bunch of my favorite colleagues I wanted to work with and reached out to them.
I chose a bunch of my favorite colleagues I wanted to work with and reached out to them.
One of the standout new tracks on the album is your collaboration with Ferry Corsten, "Metaverse." What inspired this collaboration, and how did the track evolve from the initial idea to the final version?
Me and Ferry were going back and forth, as it's all about the riff. That is one of Ferry's strengths. It was a track I came up with and sent him, and Ferry put the killer riff on it.
Me and Ferry were going back and forth, as it's all about the riff. That is one of Ferry's strengths. It was a track I came up with and sent him, and Ferry put the killer riff on it.
After decades at the forefront of electronic music, you've witnessed several waves of trance. What do you think is behind the genre's recent resurgence around the world?
In my opinion, the sound of trance is in most forms of dance music out there. It's just not titled trance.
In my opinion, the sound of trance is in most forms of dance music out there. It's just not titled trance.
Throughout your career, you've never been afraid to experiment—from your legendary remixes to projects like Bunkka and now Mission Underground. What continues to inspire you creatively after all these years?
Music, music, and more music.
Music, music, and more music.
You've performed in some of the world's most extraordinary locations, from the Great Wall of China to Mount Everest Base Camp. Is there one performance or moment that still feels particularly special when you look back on your career?
The Galapagos was a very special moment that I played in November 2025.
The Galapagos was a very special moment that I played in November 2025.
With Mission Underground now out in the world, what can fans expect next from Paul Oakenfold?
Melodic, cutting edge trance with techno sprinkles.
Melodic, cutting edge trance with techno sprinkles.
You can download/stream Paul Oakenfold - “Missions Underground” on your platform of choice today! https://prfct.lnk.to/MissionUnderground
short link 1001.tl/8fy6wl
