The iconic Zedd anthem “Clarity” just got the high-energy rework fans never saw coming, and it’s already shaking up the hard dance scene.
On June 13, legendary UK producer Darren Styles and Aussie powerhouse Toneshifterz dropped the first-ever hard dance version of “Clarity,” released via respected Dutch label Be Yourself Music. This version isn’t just another remix, it’s a full-blown emotional tribute with sky-high BPMs, euphoric builds, and a drop made for massive festival moments.
This is no slap-on-a-kickdrum type of remix. Styles and Toneshifterz completely reimagined the track’s DNA while keeping the soul that made “Clarity” a timeless banger in the first place. From the emotional vocal runs to the poetic heartbreak in the lyrics, the track hits hard, both sonically and sentimentally. The result? A cathartic hardstyle anthem that blends nostalgia with pure dance floor adrenaline.
“When we first talked about doing this, it wasn’t just about covering a hit,” the duo explained. “We’d both already been playing edits with the original vocals live, and it always got a huge response. ‘Clarity’ isn’t just a song, it’s a feeling. And in hard dance, where energy rules, there’s still this need for emotional depth. That’s what we wanted to tap into.”
And they did exactly that. While Zedd’s original “Clarity” exploded into mainstream consciousness back in 2012 with its melodic beauty and soaring vocals from Foxes, this new hard dance version channels the same vulnerability, but supercharges it with pounding kicks, euphoric piano builds, and an explosive drop that could shake a festival tent to its core. It’s the kind of track that sneaks up on you with the feels and then slaps you with energy.
This version arrives at a moment when the hardstyle and hard dance worlds are steadily making a comeback into broader electronic music culture. From bigger festival stages to crossover acts, there’s a renewed hunger for music that’s both emotionally resonant and physically powerful. Styles and Toneshifterz seem to have hit that perfect nerve, and their take on “Clarity” proves it.
The producers emphasized that it was never just about remixing a chart-topper. “This was about creating a moment for hard dance. Something that felt like beauty and chaos living in the same song. Our genre hasn’t really had its own ‘Clarity’ moment, and now we do,” they said.
It’s not hard to see why this version is hitting so many people right in the chest. The lyrics, “If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?”, still ache the same way they did over a decade ago. But now, with the hard-hitting production under it, the sadness hits harder, and the drop feels like an emotional release. This isn’t just music, it’s therapy with a BPM of 150+.
The release of the version on Be Yourself Music also signals just how far the genre has come. Known for pushing innovative sounds in the hard dance space, the label was the perfect home for this remix-turned-anthem. And given the early support the track’s getting in live sets and online, it’s clear this one’s going to be around all summer, and likely way beyond.
This isn’t just a nod to one of dance music’s most unforgettable hits, it’s a statement. That hard dance isn’t just about the kick drum. It’s about emotion. It’s about energy. And it’s about time it had its own “Clarity” moment.
Mia Brooks dives deep into the beats and rhythms of the music industry, covering everything from chart-topping albums to underground artists. With a passion for discovering new talent and exploring the stories behind the songs, Mia keeps readers updated on all things music.
