With the release of his debut album Dream Sequence imminent, Alex Kislov releases the latest single from the LP, Time Stops, straddling the boundary between deep, melodic and progressive house and accompanied by an incredible music video.
Alex Kislov has become a rising figure in Chicago’s electronic music scene. His sound, a mix of deep house, techno, and experimental rhythms, has landed him sets at venues like Radius and Spybar. Tracks like “This Is the Way” and “Want to Feel” have gained airplay on key radio shows and podcasts, with his collaborations drawing attention from leading music blogs.
Recently Kislov played one of the biggest gigs of his career at EVOL AFTERS Electric Forest afterparty, performing live to thousands of ravers, followed by multiple sets at Burning Man 2024.
New single Time Stops is indicative of the kind of quality you can expect from Dream Sequence. Stunning, evocative, deeply emotional synth lines are paired with slick, punchy beats, providing the perfect bed for a the spoken word vocal, reminiscent of the golden age of progressive house.
What’s the story behind this album?
In 2023, I was feeling a bit creatively injured and needed to reset myself or find a way to rebrand things. I was experiencing fatigue from constantly playing the game with record labels—submitting music and not always getting responses. It became draining. So, I decided to write an album as a way to creatively unleash myself without any boundaries or external pressures. That’s how it all began.
Any life experiences inspired you to write this?
Every single song I write is inspired by an experience in my life. A lot of the songs on this album were written during moments when I was either very happy or very sad, reflecting the range of feelings I was going through. Those emotions definitely influenced the inspiration behind the music.
What’s the main message behind it?
The album is called Dream Sequence. In movie terms, a dream sequence is used to add an additional layer to the story—like a flashback or vision—without taking away from the main plot. For me, the message is that we all have dreams, and they come in different forms—whether during the day, at night, or in sleep—or as goals we want to achieve in life. I wanted Dream Sequence to ignite people’s creativity or passion, encouraging them to follow their own dream sequences.
Is there a most representative track?
That’s the hardest question to answer because every track is so beautifully woven from different moments in my life. To single out one as the main representation is tough. However, there is a track called Dream Sequence, which is also the title track of the album. It’s one of my favorites and feels like the centerpiece of the project.
Who are your favorite artists of all time and why?
This changes a lot, but my forever favorites are Above & Beyond, Tycho, and Empire of the Sun. These artists have always stayed true to their sound. They don’t chase fame through clickbait or social media gimmicks—they just focus on making great music. That authenticity has always inspired me.
What are the main themes of your visual storytelling when you come up with your visuals?
If we’re talking about the album cover, I worked with an artist called Voja (@Voja_World on Instagram) from Romania. He’s an incredible digital artist who often focuses on animals, so we conceptualized the idea of a jellyfish. Jellyfish, like dreams, tend to drift—you never know where you’ll end up. They get carried by the currents, having some control over their direction but not the flow itself, just like dreams. Additionally, jellyfish can regenerate themselves and are considered immortal in some sense. Similarly, if a dream is strong and powerful, it can regenerate and become immortal too.
What was one of the best live shows or ravers you ever played?
I love playing at Radius in Chicago. Saigon in Tampa with my boys is another favorite—those late-night vibes there are incredible. Honestly, it’s hard to pick because I’ve played so many great shows. For me, the best experiences are when the crowd and I are completely in sync, creating a symbiotic connection. It’s less about people coming just to see the DJ and more about the unity of the experience.
What inspired the production and sonic aspect of this record?
The concept of dreaming was at the heart of this album, both thematically and sonically.
What are your plans for 2025?
We’re already working on a lot for 2025. I’m planning to launch a live-stream show where I’ll give feedback to producers. I’ve also started collaborating with artists I’ve wanted to work with for a while but couldn’t because I was focused on finishing the album. Now, I’m diving back into those projects. On top of that, I’ve got some exciting shows lined up—I’ll be playing in Tulum in January and have a show with Tinlicker in Chicago. I’m really looking forward to it all.
