When an artist like Giuseppe Ottaviani steps in to remix a Hardwell anthem, the result is bound to be something special. His take on “Echo,” originally released in 2015 by Hardwell and featuring the unmistakable voice of Jonathan Mendelsohn, is more than just a rework—it’s a full-scale resurrection of the track, adapted for today’s faster, harder, and more emotionally charged trance stages.
Hardwell, known for shaping the sound of the big-room explosion in the early 2010s and twice topping DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list, has never shied away from dramatic melodies and soaring vocals. “Echo” was one of his more emotionally driven cuts, carried by Mendelsohn’s signature voice and heartfelt delivery. But in Ottaviani’s hands, the track accelerates into a different stratosphere. Clocking in at a pulsing 140 BPM, the remix brings the emotional weight of the original into the realm of high-octane trance, without losing its soul.
Ottaviani, a veteran of the global trance scene and one of Italy’s most respected electronic musicians, is no stranger to remixing iconic tracks while retaining their essence. His version of “Echo” opens with tightly engineered kicks and a filtered tease of the original melody, already suggesting a more urgent energy than Hardwell’s original. The breakdown, however, is where his signature shines. Mendelsohn’s vocals glide over lush, swelling chords, surrounded by atmospheric pads that build tension with surgical precision. Just when you think it’s about to peak, Ottaviani pulls everything back—only to launch the listener into a euphoric, synth-laced drop that fuses his uplifting trance roots with the raw punch of mainstage power.
The remix feels tailor-made for the big moments: festival sunsets, laser-lit arenas, or peak-time club sets. And yet, despite its sheer force, there’s nuance in how it’s built. Every detail—from the crispness of the percussion to the carefully layered synths—feels deliberate. Ottaviani doesn’t just remix “Echo”; he reimagines it for a new audience while honoring everything that made the original so compelling. Mendelsohn’s vocals, more urgent and dramatic at this tempo, rise beautifully over the trance-infused backdrop, giving the track an added emotional gravity.
In the current trance landscape, where nostalgia and innovation frequently intersect, this remix manages to walk the tightrope between both worlds. It nods respectfully to the past while sounding entirely of the moment. A remix like this reminds us why trance endures: its ability to evolve without losing the emotional core.
⭐️ Rating 9/10
🎧 Perfect for
- Prime-time festival sets demanding vocal firepower
- High-intensity cardio or cycling playlists
- Trance-family after-movies and sunset-into-night transitions
A master-class in how to modernise a mid-2010s big-room anthem without losing its soul. Hardwell delivered the heart; Ottaviani gave it a four-on-the-floor adrenaline shot. Expect this to echo (pun intended) across mainstages all summer.
Artist: Hardwell, Jonathan Mendelsohn, Giuseppe Ottaviani
Track: Echo (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)
Label: Revealed Recordings
Release Date: June 27th, 2025
Get your copy here: https://revr.ec/ECHO-GOREMIX
Connect with Hardwell:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djhardwell
X: https://www.twitter.com/hardwell
Connect with Jonathan Mendelsohn:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanMendelsohnMusic
X: https://www.twitter.com/jonmendelsohn
Connect with Giuseppe Ottaviani:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giuseppeottaviani
X: https://www.twitter.com/gottaviani
Connect with Revealed Recordings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revealedrecordings
X: https://www.twitter.com/revealedrec
Take a listen to Hardwell feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn – Echo (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix) here:
