In the space of just a few short years, Oliver Heldens has managed to successfully parlay his career in the dance music mainstream into a much-lauded alter-ego in the world of Techno as HI-LO — gaining widespread acceptance from the underground scene in the process. Making the most of an era when genre boundaries are less essential or distinct than ever and younger generations cast aside the snobbery of old, the name HI-LO is now synonymous with cutting-edge, quality, hard-hitting, innovative techno. Today, HI-LO is honored to present his remix of Grammy-Award-Winning, legendary English electronic music band Depeche Mode’s ‘Speak To Me,’ a song from their 2023 album Memento Mori. Listen here.
HI-LO crafts this remix using the original melody as a base, building a thick wall of techno over the top and alongside Dave Gahan’s signature vocals. HI-LO respects the poignant message within the lyrics and allows them to remain a focal point while flowing through an entirely new instrumental vehicle. This remix follows recent 2023 HI-LO releases: ‘Crescendo,’ ‘Bonzai,’ ‘Brazil,’ ‘Arpeggio’ (with Space 92), his Pura Vida EP, the debut release on his own burgeoning HILOMATIK imprint, which also received a standout remix from Wehbba, and his two-track Nirvana EP with Reinier Zonneveld.
‘It’s an absolute honor to do a remix for the iconic Depeche Mode, especially for such a special song like ‘Speak To Me.’ The song felt very honest and real to me, so I tried my best to stay true to the original spirit but also put my own twist on it. I built around the vocals and the synth pads with a more melodic approach than the usual peak-time techno stuff I am producing but still incorporated some earth-shattering yet warm-sounding bass synths and some heavy drums to take it to a different realm. Thanks, Dave and Martin, for trusting my vision!,’“
— HI-LO
HI-LO’s remix of ‘Speak To Me’ comes by the side of him being on the road this summer with a packed schedule of international performances, which include high-profile appearances at Ultra Europe (Resistance), Airbeat One Festival, Tomorrowland & Mysteryland (Drumcode), Weeknd Festival, Fest Festival, Electric Zoo, and Elrow to name a few.