With his new album Artifact out today, Parov marked the moment with the release of his genre bending single Rebel Love, a track that blends classical strings, electronic energy and a surge of emotion. Known for building entire artistic worlds through sound and visuals, he reflects on the inspiration behind his music, the cinematic universe he creates by hand, and the personal themes that shaped the album he spent six years crafting. We caught up with him to ask a few more questions.

1. Hi Parov, thanks for chatting to us. You’ve just released a new single, “Rebel Love,” an electronic-pop, genre-colliding track. Can you tell us the inspiration behind it?

Thank you! “Rebel Love” is about energy, emotion, and the courage to follow your own direction. I’ve never cared much about genre boundaries, and this track is a good example of that. It combines classical strings and electronic drive, and for me it captures the emotional core of the record being human, dynamic, and full of contrasts.

2. The single is accompanied by a cinematic visual set in the late 19th century, created by yourself. Where did the idea come from?

I’ve always been fascinated by combining different worlds and eras. The visuals reflect that. They mix nostalgia and surrealism. I work with AI in a very manual way, like using a brush or a camera: I build, animate, and arrange everything myself.

3. You’ve just announced your new album Artifact. Where did the title come from?

The idea came from the thought that every person leaves traces behind. Memories, fragments, and emotions that exist in their own time. Artifact is built around that concept. It’s about these little pieces that make up a life, and how they connect to form something bigger. The album is also a personal reflection, it grew over six years, without a plan, just following instinct and curiosity.

4. Which track on the album are you most proud of, and why?

Each one means something different, but Falling Into Time probably represents Artifact best. It expresses the main theme of the record, the fleeting nature of time. It combines opulent strings, ethereal vocals, and gentle electronic elements, and it moves between urgency and calm. That balance makes it very special to me.

5. Of all your songs that you’ve written, which one reflects you as an artist the most?

That’s difficult because my work has changed so much over time. But Artifact as a whole probably reflects me best today. It’s the result of thirty years of making music, of learning to let go and trust the process. It’s emotional, experimental, and honest. That’s exactly what I wanted it to be.

6. Art is another big passion of yours, and you also created the album artwork. Tell us a bit more about that.

Yes, painting is as important to me as music. For Artifact, the visual world developed hand in hand with the music. The artwork and the videos are all part of the same universe, they’re open spaces, full of emotion and interpretation. I see my paintings and videos as extensions of the music, another way to express what words can’t describe.

7. You’ve collaborated with artists like Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Bryan Ferry, and Marvin Gaye. Is there anyone else you would dream to work with?

I’m always inspired by artists who create their own worlds and stay true to themselves. Collaborations are most exciting when they happen naturally, not by strategy. So I prefer to stay open. The right moments and people always find their way to you or the other way around.

8. You played London’s Somerset House earlier this year. What’s the best thing about playing live, and are there any plans to return to the UK?

Playing live is where everything comes together, the music, the visuals, and the human connection. You feel the audience’s energy instantly, and that’s something you can’t recreate anywhere else. The Somerset House show was a fantastic experience, and yes, we’re planning to return to the UK soon. I’m really looking forward to that.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.