Parov Stelar: Artifacts Of Time

After six years of meticulous creation, Parov Stelar emerges with Artifact, his most ambitious audio-visual project to date. The producer who once reshaped global dance music with his signature fusion of jazz, swing and electronica now returns with an album that reaches far beyond genre, a cinematic world built from fragments, memories, and the intangible traces we collect throughout our lives.

Approaching the project without deadlines or boundaries, Stelar followed instinct over structure, allowing Artifact to evolve into a universe of parallel timelines, orchestral grandeur, electronic pulse, and dreamlike atmospheres. Its focus track, “Falling In Time,” captures the album’s central motif: the fleeting nature of time, expressed through opulent strings, ethereal vocals, and a nostalgic shimmer of ’80s melancholy.

Visually, Artifact expands even further from VHS textures to sci-fi symbolism to the stark black-and-white storytelling of the “Falling In Time” video. Each piece invites the audience not just to observe but to interpret, becoming collaborators in Stelar’s multi-dimensional world.

Alongside the album, Stelar also unveils his autobiography Trip, a raw reflection on the highs, doubts, excesses, and self-confrontation that have shaped his journey. Together, these works mark not just a return but a reinvention a rediscovery of curiosity and wonder from an artist still pushing the boundaries of his own universe.

You’ve been credited with pioneering the electro-swing sound that defined an era. With Artifact, how has your sound evolved from those early records to where you are now?

Electro-swing was an important chapter, but Artifact reflects a much broader artistic language. The electronic foundation is still part of my identity, but on this album it’s combined with classical orchestration, cinematic elements, and more open, atmospheric structures. I didn’t want to repeat a formula; I wanted to expand the world of my music.

You’ve said that Artifact brought you “back to where it all began, in curiosity and wonder.” What sparked that feeling?

Working without a deadline or defined direction allowed me to rediscover the excitement of experimenting freely. Over time, I collected many musical fragments, sounds, and ideas. Artifact grew out of exploring them with the same curiosity I had when I first started producing music.

The album explores the idea of “artifacts”, fragments, and memories. How did that concept shape the music?

Artifacts are traces: moments, impressions, or thoughts that remain. I wanted the album to feel like a collection of those fragments. Some pieces are polished; others are deliberately left open. Musically, this meant allowing the songs to shift between timelines, combining electronic elements with orchestral arrangements, nostalgic textures, and more modern production.

The album feels very cinematic and emotionally layered. What inspired that direction?

I’ve always been influenced by film and visual art, and for Artifact I leaned into that more than ever. The orchestral recordings added depth and scale, while the electronic elements create contrast and movement. The cinematic feel came naturally from the themes of time, memory, and parallel moments.

The visuals for Artifact range from VHS aesthetics to sci-fi and historical references. How involved were you in creating the visual world?

Very involved. I created all of the visual concepts myself. I often start with a single image or atmosphere and build from there. I use digital tools the way a craftsman uses instruments — they help me shape the ideas, but the artistic decisions are mine. The visuals expand the album’s themes into a parallel narrative world.

The video for “Rebel Love” tells a story set in the late 19th century. What drew you to that setting and style?

The song has a dramatic and timeless quality, so the 19th-century aesthetic felt fitting. Black-and-white imagery creates emotional contrast and gives the story a sense of timelessness. I enjoy combining different eras it mirrors the album’s idea of overlapping timelines.

You’ve collaborated with artists like Lady Gaga, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, and Lana Del Rey. Did those experiences influence Artifact?

Working with great artists teaches you to trust your instincts and stay committed to your vision. Those collaborations reinforced the importance of creating a world that feels authentic. On Artifact, I allowed the music and visuals to follow their own logic rather than fitting into a predefined style.

“Rebel Love” merges strings, electronic elements, and pop energy. How do you balance experimentation with accessibility?

I follow the emotion of the song. If it leads toward a big melody, I let it. If it leans toward more experimental textures, I follow that too. When the core idea is strong, the balance between experimentation and accessibility happens naturally.

You’ve performed at major festivals worldwide. Does the live experience influence how you compose?

Definitely. I’m always aware of how a track might feel in a live setting. But I don’t write specifically for the stage. I focus on the atmosphere and emotion first, and later adapt the music together with my band for live performances.

You release your music independently through Etage Noir. How important is creative freedom for you?

It’s essential. Creative freedom allows me to explore concepts musically and visually without limitations. Artifact especially benefited from having the space to evolve over several years without pressure or predefined expectations.

The album plays with parallel worlds and timelines. Do you see Artifact as a bridge between past and future versions of yourself?

In a way, yes. The album brings together ideas from different phases of my creative life. Some tracks echo my earlier musical language, while others point toward new directions. Together, they form a kind of artistic time capsule that connects those timelines.

After Artifact, where do you see your creative curiosity taking you next?

I’m open to whatever feels exciting. I’m interested in continuing to explore the combination of music and visual art, maybe even going deeper into cinematic work. I don’t plan too far ahead I follow the ideas that feel authentic.