Interview: Return Of The Jaded and Martin Villeneuve on Mr. Roboto

What inspired you both to revisit "Mr. Roboto" for a 2024 rework?

Return of the Jaded: "I’ve known Marty for a long time—he was my mentor when I first got into the scene in 2008. During one of our catch-up dinners, 'Mr. Roboto' came up in conversation. I had done an electro house remix of it about 12 years ago under a different alias. After that dinner, I kept pushing the idea of reworking it for today’s sound. Marty was hesitant at first but eventually sent over the stems. Once I sent him my initial concepts, he saw the potential, and we were both all-in."

Martin Villeneuve: "It was a bit unexpected, to be honest. I wasn’t immediately sure about revisiting 'Mr. Roboto,' but after ROTJ shared his vision for the track, I was excited to dive back into it. We both thought it would be interesting to introduce it to today’s audience with a modern, fresh take while respecting the legacy of the original."

How does this new version differ from the 2006 rendition?

Return of the Jaded: "The 2006 version had that classic electro house vibe with a funky bassline and organ lead. But in 2024, we’re working with much more refined production tools. This version is sleeker, blending indie dance with progressive elements. We kept the iconic vocoder, but the arrangement and energy have evolved to fit today’s dancefloors."

Martin Villeneuve: "Technology has advanced so much since 2006. The original leaned heavily on electro house elements, whereas this version feels more modern, with crisper sound design and a deeper, more progressive feel. It’s still 'Mr. Roboto,' but we’ve added layers and textures that make it relevant for today."

How did each of your production styles influence the rework?

Return of the Jaded: "I love crafting tight, groovy basslines and energetic rhythms, so that’s where I focused. I wanted to make sure the track had that powerful drive while still paying homage to the original. I also brought in some electro house influences, which I think give it that punch."

Martin Villeneuve: "We both brought our strengths to the table, and I think that balance is what makes the track stand out."

And what was the collaborative process like between you two?

Return of the Jaded: "Honestly, it was pretty seamless. Marty and I have known each other for so long, and we have a lot of mutual respect for each other’s skills. We bounced ideas back and forth easily, and once we locked in the direction, the track came together quickly."

Martin Villeneuve: "I have a lot of respect and admiration for ROTJ’s talent and creativity. We’ve worked together before, and we know each other quite well that It was a super fun process. ROTJ brought a lot of energy and fresh ideas to the project, and our styles complemented each other well. We both had a clear vision for how to update the track without losing its essence. It felt natural, and we were aligned from the start."

Styx's "Mr. Roboto" has a strong cultural legacy, how do you honor that while putting your own spin on the track?

Return of the Jaded: "For me, it was all about keeping that signature vocoder hook—'domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.' It’s the part everyone remembers and connects with. While we added a lot of modern elements, I wanted to make sure that nostalgic touch was there to honor the original."

Martin Villeneuve: "The key was finding the right balance between paying homage and updating the track for today’s audience. We kept the core vocoder element, but we rebuilt the production around those elements to make it fresh and relevant."

Were there any specific elements from the original that you wanted to preserve?

Return of the Jaded: "The robotic vocals were a must—they’re what make the song instantly recognizable. We revamped the rest to fit our modern production style."

Martin Villeneuve: "Absolutely, the vocoder vocals had to stay. That’s what everyone connects with, so we made sure it was a key part of the new version. Everything else was up for reinterpretation, but we wanted those vocals to tie everything together."

How do you think today’s audiences will react to the refreshed "Mr. Roboto"?

Return of the Jaded: "I think today’s audiences are really open to reimagined classics. The original still has a timeless appeal, and with the modern production, I think it’ll resonate with both older fans and new listeners."

Martin Villeneuve: "I agree. There’s always a risk when reworking a classic, but I think we’ve struck the right balance. We’ve kept enough of the original to evoke nostalgia, but it’s fresh and energetic enough to appeal to today’s crowd."

Was there any challenge you faced during production?

Return of the Jaded: "The biggest challenge was balancing the energy—maintaining that 'ROTJ' punch while still keeping it progressive and underground. We wanted to make sure the track stayed serious, not just a nostalgic throwback."

Martin Villeneuve: "For me, the challenge was making sure the updated production didn’t overshadow the essence of the original. We wanted to modernize it without losing the heart of what made 'Mr. Roboto' iconic."

Can fans expect more collaborations between you two in the future?

Return of the Jaded: "Absolutely. We had such a great experience working together, and I think this project has opened the door for more collaborations down the line."

Martin Villeneuve: "Definitely. This rework was a lot of fun, and I think we both see potential for more joint projects in the future. We’re already throwing ideas around, so stay tuned!"

Mr Roboto is out now via Jaded Recordings

Bonus: check out this exclusive mix by Return of the Jaded and Martin Villeneuve on the BBQ Radio Show