aron! is tying the ribbon around his new album
Photography by Sara Regan
aron! isn't trying to "save jazz." a quote from a previous interview - when I reminded him of it, he laughed “I can't believe I said that." Yet the sentiment still holds true. Rather than acting in tradition, aron! is focused on exploring his own artistic vision. His upcoming album reflects that evolution. "This new album is going to be a little more pop. The jazz influences remain, but they're woven into the music more subtly than before and veiled a little more."
I asked about the recent resurgence of Jazz and Bossa Nova among younger audiences in the past few years "I think a lot of it is Laufey," also listing artists like beabadoobee, Matt Maltese and Dodie as musicians who have helped younger listeners embrace sounds that might once have seemed old-fashioned. "I don't really know why or how, but I love it."
"I like pop music from the '40s a lot.” That affection for classic songwriting is vital to his work. While many listeners hear jazz first, aron! gathers something older beneath the surface, perhaps timeless melodies, elegant arrangements, and songwriting traditions that even predate bossa nova.
One of the most revealing moments of our conversation comes during our discussion of songwriting. "I just start a song and think, ‘What does the song want?'" If the answer requires pulling from his own life, he'll do that. If not, he'll follow wherever the song leads. Many of the songs on the upcoming album revolve around themes of romance and vulnerability: "A lot of it is falling in love with someone, or being afraid to do that."
This feels particularly relevant given a recent release from aron! ‘macrame’ featuring Mei Semones. aron!'s relationship with fellow musician Mei began when the two first connected online after aron! discovered one of her videos. "I was like, oh my god, she's so awesome," he said. "I asked if she'd like to play guitar together, and a friendship quickly formed. The way that she thinks about things is so open and very cool. I'm a very, very big fan."
aron! is putting the finishing touches on a project that represents a major milestone in his career; his debut album “It's like, whoa, freak-out time.” Although it’s a format he’s never tackled before, aron! sounds more excited than nervous, finalising his debut album. "I've never done a whole album thing before."
"It's pretty much putting the ribbons on the presents."
How does aron! want listeners to feel when they hear the upcoming album? "I don't think it's up to me." Rather than dictating emotions, he prefers to leave room for listeners to find their own meaning. With a debut album on the horizon, a growing audience of young jazz lovers, and a collection of songs shaped by curiosity, jazz, pop and love, he's entering a new chapter.
