To celebrate his debut album SYNCHRONICITY and upcoming North American Tour, UK electronic composer and producer Aaron Hibell hosted a press conference with °1824. We had the opportunity to attend and learn all about the process and meaning behind his atmospheric and cinematic dance music, along with his preparations for his upcoming tour, kicking off on April 21st in Toronto, Ontario.
Aaron described SYNCHRONICITY as his first project which feels very intentional. The album centers on “allowing life to flow from you and not trying to interrupt the patterns.” That philosophy is embedded not only in its themes, but in its very structure – in the way the tracks flow and transition from one to the next, forming a “continuous listen.” The title itself reflects that process, with everything coming together, as he puts it, “so synchronistically.”
That sense of cohesion is amplified by Hibell’s cinematic approach to production. Drawing inspiration from composers like Hans Zimmer and Ludwig Göransson, he merges sweeping, orchestral soundscapes with trance and techno elements. It’s an ambitious fusion, but one that he notes comes naturally to him, allowing the album’s more expansive qualities to fully breathe for the first time.
The project is also deeply personal. Hibell spoke candidly about how his health struggles reshaped his perspective, pushing him to be more present and appreciative in life; an outlook that permeates the record. This mindset shift was further influenced by his engagement with the concept of synchronicity and through the teachings of Carl Jung, which he says helped alleviate anxiety and reframe his thinking.
Experiencing the natural environment played a significant role in shaping the album’s atmosphere. Much of SYNCHRONICITY was created by the sea in his hometown, a small UK village, where he found inspiration in vast, rugged landscapes that felt “almost like another world.” Field recordings of waves, wind, and surrounding textures are woven throughout the album. This balance between the earthly and the otherworldly is also reflected in the album artwork, a NASA image which depicts Saturn’s rings called “The Synchronicity of Rhythms”.
Aaron stated: “Each particle of each ring is in perfect alignment with one another. In the same way in which those rings are orbiting Saturn, they have their own place. Humans are almost the only thing which questions their own existence. Everything else in nature knows [it’s place]; exactly where it’s meant to be and what to do. The music-making process is tuning into those instincts that we all have of allowing things to flow from you rather than forcing it.”
As Hibell looks ahead to bringing SYNCHRONICITY on tour, the same sense of flow and connection on the album extends into his live performances. He describes performing as a two-way experience; a symbiotic exchange of energy between himself and the crowd. “When I get into a flow, it’s when I’m playing off the energy of the crowd and they’re playing off mine,” he explains, creating moments that feel “magical.”
When I asked what he hopes fans take away from the live show experience, he said:
“I often design my sets and setlists with these things in mind. I really just think about ‘what feeling do I want to leave people with?’ and ‘what do I want them to experience?’ I think it’s a combination of this sense of awe and wonder but also these very intimate moments – but I always want to leave people with a sense of euphoria at the end. That sort of journey is what I want to create with my live shows.”
Certain tracks, he notes, are already taking on new life in a live setting. “open your eyes” is one he’s particularly excited about, describing it as “almost like a meditative experience,” and even hinting at using it as part of his set intro. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “quasar” delivers a surge of high energy, with Hibell recalling how crowds have previously “gone feral” when he’s played it.
What stands out most is just how intentional Hibell is with his work. The way he speaks about SYNCHRONICITY – from its themes to its production to its live translation – reveals an artist who’s deeply thoughtful about every detail. It’s that level of care that makes both the album and the upcoming shows feel like something immersive and experiential.
Listen to SYNCHRONICITY here and catch Aaron Hibell on his North American tour running from April 21st – July 11th.