Author: Anniyah Fitzhugh
Cover photo credit: Meredith Truax
Nowadays, everyone is trying to be a nonchalant warrior, but aron! disagrees.
On September 18th, aron! released his debut album, Too Close For Running, and it is safe to say this project is for the hopeless romantics. The 12-track album serves as the perfect soundtrack for the upcoming fall season. Featuring stunning collaborations from dodie and Mei Semones, this project stands out as a premier September release.
When asked about the album title, aron! shared that it reflects his current phase of life. “Being down and falling in love,” he shared. He explained that he used to be much more nonchalant when it came to his emotions, often running away from them. Now, however, he shares that he is simply too close for running.
“Jazz Is in Everything”
“Jazz is in everything,” aron! remarked when discussing his musical influences. Known for bringing a signature warmth and a contemporary twist to the jazz genre, aron! emphasized how deeply ingrained the style is in modern music. He mentioned that pop superstars like Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Bruno Mars incorporate subtle nods to jazz. This universal nature is precisely what makes jazz unique and historically important.
Speaking of pop icons, aron! has received recognition from John Mayer multiple times, with Mayer highlighting his work on his radio show. When asked about how those moments felt, he shared, “[It was] crazy; [it] felt insane. I basically came out of the womb listening to John Mayer.” He continued to express that he is inspired by John Mayer’s music and that it is amazing to get that recognition from such a legend. Ultimately, he hopes he can balance the fine line between influence and inspiration within his own music.
Photo Credit: Meredith Truax
A Modern-Day Frank Sinatra
It is clear that love songs will never go out of style. Another one of aron!’s musical influences is Frank Sinatra. When talking about Sinatra’s music, he noted that people today might not realize it, but back in the 1940s, when Sinatra was making music, he was making the pop music of his era. He was making pure love songs for young people just like us. aron! went on to recommend “I’ll Never Smile Again” by Frank Sinatra.
In a landscape full of artists trying to play it cool, aron! is stepping into a role that feels remarkably familiar. In his own way, he is becoming the Frank Sinatra of our generation, unapologetically reviving the timeless charm of mid-century romance and wrapping it in a modern sound. He’s doing exactly what Sinatra did: crafting pure, heartfelt love songs for people who aren’t afraid to feel out loud.
If you are tired of the nonchalant epidemic, look no further.
Take a listen to Too Close For Running on your preferred streaming platform, and allow yourself to fully dive into the feelings you’ve been running from.
Being nonchalant is overrated anyways, especially when you’re too close for running.
Anniyah Fitzhugh | Production Director