"One of the main things the Lord has been speaking to me about has been how exactly I'm to walk through it, and how to do it victoriously. I'm learning that our God is a Mighty Warrior who battles to the rhythm of our praise and asks us to abide while He acts."
Discussing the album, Aaron references Psalm 91 ('He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.'), Psalm 149 ('Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.') and Psalm 46 (where the Lord tells us what to do: 'Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations.')
"The Scripture is clear: In our stillness, He will be exalted. In our worship, He wars. In our waiting, He works. This album is an invitation to dwell in the shelter of the Most High God, and an offering to rest in the shadow of the Almighty Warrior," says Aaron.
From out of this clear view of God and faith have sprung an impressive range of songs that include co-writes with Matt Redman, Graham Kendrick, Stu G, Paul Oakley, Jess Cates, Matt Maher, and Michael Gungor.
And then there's the formation of a new partnership between Aaron, John Hartley and Stu G. The former Delirious? guitarist and songwriter co-produced Dwell with John Hartley from Kingsway, and together the three of them have created an album that is as sonically appealing and diverse as it is lyrically solid and inspiring.
Aaron's gift for mining the depths of scripture fits perfectly with John's skills as curator of great songs and Stu G's ear for new sounds and fresh ways to connect with listeners. At times subtle, at times euphoric, yet always engaging and powerful, Dwell is an album with new life breathed into new songs.
Take the opening track, 'O My Soul', less of an explosive start and more of a response given by a trusted friend midway through a conversation, 'O My Soul' gets straight to the heart of the matter without any fuss. We are here to worship, to focus on God, to dwell where we truly belong.
'I Am Not The Same' follows with supersized arrangements, while 'Sovereign Over Us' continues the epic soundscape. As title tracks go, 'Dwell' is perfectly placed, the first single from the album lists trials and troubles but never strays from the theme of trust, with chimes and a flowing melody that adds light and hope.
'Only Just Begun' is a slow-burning classic while 'Raised Me Up' sends Aaron into new territory - part stadium anthem, part radio single, part confession - while 'Hope Is Dawning' is the musical equivalent of a perfect sigh at the end of a perfect day.
Aaron explains how "sonically I wanted to move in some new directions on this album, while not moving away from congregational sensibility and lyrical depth".
"I've been playing a lot more keys lately, and wanted this album to feature more piano than pads, more synths than strings. We've been trying to create new and fresh sounds for our worship sets on the road; now we travel with a DJ who's producing--live--and coming up with these brilliant electronic sounds and dynamic parts.
"We aimed to incorporate some of that freshness into these new songs, even the hymns, so the songs still sing like a melody anyone can settle into, but the soundscape jumps out of predictability and into new possibilities for what worship music can sound like."
All in all, Dwell is something special: new songs and new sounds reflecting ancient truths.
Dwell is out on 20th June from Kingsway.