Reimagining Reality: OVERWERK Talks Innovation, Nostalgia, and the Art of Storytelling
At the intersection of sound design, visual art, and narrative experimentation, OVERWERK stands out as a singular voice in modern electronic music. Known offstage as Edmond Huszar, the producer has built a reputation for crafting immersive, genre-defying experiences that go far beyond the conventional DJ set or studio release. Now, he’s back with a compelling new single, “2 Die 4,” a reimagining of Tove Lo’s hit track of the same name. Featuring the powerful vocals of Black Atlass and infused with echoes of Gershon Kingsley’s 1969 synth classic “Popcorn,” the song is a masterclass in balancing nostalgia with innovation.
Accompanying this release is a visually stunning, Apple-sponsored music video directed by Dan Lemoyne. Filmed entirely on an iPhone in Toronto, the video offers a hypnotic, first-person journey through a surreal urban dreamscape. It’s a stylistic departure, even for an artist as boundary-pushing as OVERWERK, blending high-fashion visuals with gritty neo-noir aesthetics. The result is a disorienting descent into illusion and memory, anchored by a haunting encounter that leaves both the protagonist and the viewer questioning the nature of what they’ve just experienced. It’s a conceptual statement, reinforcing OVERWERK’s role as a pioneer of multimedia storytelling.
Beyond “2 Die 4,” OVERWERK remains deeply immersed in a multitude of creative ventures. From acclaimed remixes for Apashe and Sia to viral product design collaborations and the upcoming launch of his art gallery. His work continues to transcend traditional boundaries, merging auditory, visual, and tactile mediums into a singular artistic vision.
With new music, live performances, and multimedia projects on the horizon, there’s no sign of him slowing down. And today, RIVAL is proud to bring you an exclusive look behind the curtain—a conversation with OVERWERK himself about the music, the vision, and the mindset behind this ambitious new chapter.
What inspired you to reinterpret Tove Lo's "2 Die 4"?
Tove Lo's Dirt Femme album is absolutely incredible. She expresses herself from such an authentic place, and there is a song for every mood on that album. I listened to the album on repeat and couldn't resist doing something with that Popcorn melody that she awoke from my memories.
How did collaborating with Black Atlass come about, and what did he bring to the track?
Black Atlass heard this remix as I worked on it and was excited to contribute. He's often putting out sultry, laid-back tunes or ballads, so our collaborations are great to hear his voice in a different context.
Your music often merges nostalgia with innovation. What specific elements of the past and future did you aim to balance in "2 Die 4"?
Tove's 2 Die 4 is already a wonderful allusion to Gershon Kingsley's Popcorn from 1969; that tune has major nostalgia for many people, especially Europeans. I also wanted to infuse some late 90s and early 2000s underground rave energy, taking it in a slightly darker direction.
How does this single represent your evolution as an artist compared to your past work?
Much of my work is extremely cerebral. I think of a song before I make it. In this case, it was fun to just jam on the track and put out a single as a one-off. Now, I'll get back to my usual concept-album-art-projects.
The music video, sponsored by Apple, was shot entirely on an iPhone. What inspired this creative choice, and how did it shape the overall vision of the project?
I imagined this concept, the story that manifested in my head as I listened to the track. — I wanted to create a window to this point where dreams, memories, and reality converge. I did a POV video with GoPro back in the day, but wanted to create a fictional music video from that perspective. I saw how Apple has been advancing its iPhone camera technology and thought this would be a great fit.
Can you walk us through the process of filming and the challenges that came with it?
I tried to film and direct the video while in Paris for the Summer Olympics. The challenge was organizing locations and shoot times while all Parisians had left the city or were on vacation. I thought Paris would be a nice setting for the video, but I changed it to Toronto after too many French-centric obstacles. My friend Scott Pilgrim introduced me to Dan Lemoyne, an incredible Canadian director who saved the day.
The video appears to have a dark, neo-noir, dreamlike quality. How did you and director Dan Lemoyne craft this atmosphere?
Dan is awesome; he has such a signature style. I definitely pushed for a particular vision, but Dan has very capable hands and squeezed a lot of juice out of the iPhone. All his work is imbued with great style.
With recent remixes for Apashe and Sia, how do you decide which songs to rework, and what makes a remix uniquely "OVERWERK"?
Like 2 Die 4, the Apashe Human remix came about naturally. I was preparing some live edits and sent a mashup to John; he thought it would be a great fit with his Antagonist Remixes. — What makes it uniquely OVERWERK? When I make the song, and not someone else. Jokes aside, if you ask an AI to make an OVERWERK song, it'll sound like generic synth wave. I'm proud to offer something unique to this world, and I'm excited to express myself in a variety of ways.
What can fans expect from your live shows in 2025?
I've been working on huge projects, renovations, and starting an art gallery. So, unfortunately, my energy for shows is depleted. I played one with Kavinsky in SF and plan another for Paris this fall. Some more might pop up on the calendar, but I'm now focused on the physical/visual art.
From designing a viral iPhone dock to creating digital sculptures, your artistry goes beyond music. How do these projects influence your sound?
As humans, we have 5 basic senses (and, in actuality, many more), but our eyes and ears get most of the entertainment. I want to branch out with my visions for art, products, furniture, music, and food; it's all connected. Everything I create is my little contribution to this life we're currently sharing.
Looking ahead, what can we expect from OVERWERK in terms of new music or multimedia collaborations?
New music ideas are already percolating. I plan to re-release some of my old singles and create a new concept EP. I'm extremely inspired by Automata… you'll see. Otherwise, I'm working on eyewear, footwear, a chair, and launching my art gallery. I follow and admire so many incredible artists. I'm excited to boost their profile as much as I'm able; share the love.