Leo Islo‘s This Taboo gets a dynamic Pop & Melodic Techno remix by Jope with hints towards classic electronica. Apart from the overall darker and colder tone, this new Leo Islo & Jope song also brings the instrumental closer to the level of melodic complexity set by the artist’s vocal performance on the original track.
Another thing that makes the Jope remix stand out compared to the original is that the remix has an entire armada of unorthodox synth sounds that are otherwise rarely used in the genre. There’s something from the more “strict” sound of the German Electronica from the past century, something from Industrial Techno and even a sprinkle of Trance. All very subtly forged to fit Jope’s vision of Pop & Melodic Techno.
The change of tone makes Leo Islo’s vocals sound more urgent and cinematic. Although it seems like there aren’t that many changes made to those, apart from the change in tempo, the mechanical, clockwork-like dynamics of the instrumental bring some Tron vibes to this new Leo Islo & Jope song. The robotic sound of vocals only enhances this effect. Although the “humanness” peeks through the tech precision of the track from time to time with the background vocalizations.
Jope’s version of the track also makes it groovier and punchier. It’s the version of This Taboo with the boiling, raw energy of a steam engine added to it. Structurally, it follows its own rules. Although the same can be said about any other aspect of the Jope remix, this should be highlighted. Because despite the peculiar twists and turns, it sounds well-balanced and progresses naturally. And even though the remix never goes off the rails, Jope packs it with just enough energy to make the track dancefloor-ready — an ideal condition for the Melodic Techno track.
