cover photo credits: @alexandriapictures
Author: Anniyah Fitzhugh
Picture this! Cozy socks, candlelight, and jazzy vibes – Aron!’s new EP is the soundtrack to your slowest, coziest nights.
22-year-old jazz-pop artist Aron! is gearing up to release his new EP, cozy you (and other nice songs), with Verve Records on June 6th! With Aron’s past works and his recent singles, it is clear that he is building his own unique sound, making jazz more accessible to the younger audiences through fresh interpretations, vocal elements and rich instrumental backings. At the same time, he continues to honor the genre’s origin, paying respect to jazz pioneers. Alongside, navigating social media and the potential pressures of virality, while continuing to stay grounded in his artistic vision.
For Aron, ultimately, it’s all about the music and staying true to himself.
Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Aron grew up listening to classics like Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam, but what really sparked his interest in music was playing Guitar Hero, falling in love with playing guitar at just 8 years old. This interest manifested and led him to attend a music school and take lessons from an 80-year-old jazz teacher, which deepened his interest in the genre.
In a press conference with 1824, Aron shared a story of when he first met his jazz teacher:
“I was maybe 10 or 11, at a music store with my mom, and I saw this guy in the corner playing these weird chords,” he recalled. “I was like, Whoa… that’s what I want to do. So I walked up and said, ‘Excuse me, sir, can I please take lessons from you?’”
From that moment on, the two met every week, sometimes even playing late into the night. “It was really cool,” Aron added.
credits: @alexandriapictures
Aron gave some insight on his creative process, more specifically, that he likes when there are layers to his music. For example, “having very happy instrumentals and then kind of silly lyrics, but then they point to something like an actual thing (serious, more vulnerable content) … I think that balance actually makes things mean more.”
What is unique about Aron’s sound and songwriting style is that he has this way of blurring the line between playfulness and vulnerability. His songs have a great balance of the two.
“I just can’t be vulnerable for too long without making a joke,” Aron shared. “Maybe that’s a problem…, but for now, it’s a songwriting technique.”
The mix of vulnerability and cheerfulness makes his music feel earnest and engaging to listen to. It’s very multi-dimensional.
In addition to his newest release, “Cozy You”, Aron released another single, “table for two”, accompanied by a music video. The music video followed Aron waiting for his date at a table on wheels, while simultaneously being pushed throughout the streets of L.A.
Aron gave a bit of insight on how the video came to be:
“The process kind of starts with the song. Once it’s done, people on the team might ask, “Do you want to do a video for this?” Sometimes I’m like, “Yeah!” and sometimes I’m like, “No, this one doesn’t need it.” With “Table for Two,” I was like, “Yeah, let’s go for it.” My first idea was super literal,” he said.
Aron shared that he envisioned a couple on a date, waiter brings food, etc, while simultaneously singing along to the tune.
But his music video director came in and totally flipped it.
“She was like, “What if we put the table on wheels and had the waiter push them through the streets of LA?” And we were all like, “Yes. That’s it.” That kind of collaboration is what I’ve been leaning into more lately. It opens up possibilities I wouldn’t have gotten to on my own.” Aron shared.
credits: @alexandriapictures
A major part of Aron’s rise has come through social media, where his jazz covers and originals have gone viral on Instagram Reels.
“I wanted this for so long,” he shared. “For like two years before everything [blew up], it was sub-1000 views. I just kept posting every other day, trying different things until something clicked.”
What clicked ended up being the jazz songs, something he didn’t expect. “I really wasn’t expecting it to be the little jazz songs,” he said. “It’s honestly one of the realest, truest loves I have.”
That unexpected response led to a shift in perspective. “I started to think this is deceivingly successful… and then I realized, maybe success is not an outward thing. But I’m still super grateful for it.” Aron shared.
Through social media, Aron hasn’t just reached a wider audience, but he has found that staying true to what he loves can resonate more deeply than he ever expected.
With Aron’s newest EP on the way, now is the perfect time to dive into Aron’s world. His recent singles are already making waves, blending heartfelt lyrics with cozy, jazzy instrumentals. No matter if you have been a longtime jazz fan or you’re just beginning to explore the genre, then Aron is definitely someone you want on your radar. Don’t miss the chance to fall in love with his sound!
Anniyah Fitzhugh I KXSU Music & Arts Reporter