Hi-LO resurrects a classic with a dark twist on ‘KOALA’
Available August 1 on HILOMATIK
More than a decade after it first lit up global dancefloors, ‘Koala’ returns — reimagined by its original creator, Oliver Heldens, under his techno moniker HI-LO. Out now via HILOMATIK, ‘KOALA’ offers a darker, more driving take on one of the breakout hits that helped launch Heldens’ career.
Stripping back the playful energy of the original and layering in the raw power of modern techno, HI-LO reshapes ‘Koala’ into a peak-time weapon built for today’s underground.
HI-LO’s version keeps the soul of the original alive but pivots firmly into new territory:
- Where ‘Koala’ once danced with upbeat house textures, ‘KOALA’ surges with hypnotic builds, punchy low-end, and moody intensity.
- Tailored for darker club environments and big-room stages alike.
- A release that bridges past and present — a personal creative loop closed in real time.
“The original ‘Koala’ holds a special place in my journey, so flipping it into something rawer and more HI-LO just made sense. It’s been going off in my sets — the response has been insane,”
— HI-LO
Already road-tested to explosive effect in HI-LO and Oliver Heldens’ recent global sets, the track has been igniting:
- Festival mainstages
- Intimate warehouse sessions
Like much of HI-LO’s catalogue, ‘KOALA’ reflects a producer who’s mastered the art of transformation — fusing the melodic instincts of his earlier work with a deeper, harder-hitting sonic signature.
The release follows a prolific run of 2025 material from HI-LO, including:
- ‘United In Trance’
- Collaborations with ZHU, KASABLANCA, Sarah de Warren, Tai Woffinden, and Temper
Continuing to push his HILOMATIK imprint into the spotlight as a home for cutting-edge, genre-blurring techno.
