More than a decade after Oliver Heldens made waves with the infectious house anthem “Koala,” the track returns in a darker, club-primed form under his techno alias HI-LO. Out now via HILOMATIK, the reimagined “KOALA” transforms the beloved 2014 classic into a peak-time techno weapon, fusing nostalgic roots with future-facing intensity.
Stripping away the playful charm of the original, HI-LO reconstructs “KOALA” with pounding low-end, hypnotic builds, and a cinematic edge that caters to both underground warehouse sessions and massive festival mainstages. The revamped version honors the melodic essence of “Koala” while diving deep into a grittier, more immersive soundscape — a natural evolution of Heldens’ creative journey.
“The original ‘Koala’ holds a special place in my journey,” shares HI-LO, “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.”
Already road-tested to explosive effect in HI-LO and Heldens’ global sets, the track has been met with thunderous crowd reactions, proving its potency in both high-energy techno environments and crossover stages. This latest release adds to an impressive 2025 run for HI-LO, who continues to elevate his HILOMATIK imprint with boundary-pushing records like “United In Trance” and collaborations alongside ZHU, KASABLANCA, Sarah de Warren, Tai Woffinden, and Temper.
With “KOALA,” HI-LO offers more than just a rework — it’s a full-circle moment that bridges the artist’s early house roots with his modern techno identity, further solidifying his reputation as a master of reinvention.
Stream “KOALA” by HI-LO out now via HILOMATIK.
HI-LO ON TOUR
Aug 08: Das Energi Music Festival – Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 09: Elements Festival – Long Pond, PA
Aug 20: Resistance x Amnesia – Ibiza, ES
Aug 22: ZÜRICH OPENAIR – Zurich, CH
Sep 12: Gold Rush – Phoenix, AZ
Sep 13: Reelworks – Denver, CO
Sep 20: Space – Miami, FL
Sep 26: Brooklyn Storehouse – Brooklyn, NY
Oct 25: HILOMATIK x Dockyards – Amsterdam, NL
*More TBA
HI-LO: Instagram | Facebook | SoundCloud | Spotify | YouTube | TikTok