ALBUM ARTWORK

Aaron Martin’s album artwork is a vivid extension of his intricate, myth-inspired, and storytelling-driven fine art. Infused with themes of animism, surrealism, and layered narratives, his covers transform music into powerful visual statements. Martin’s album artwork has become sought after by musicians looking for covers that reflect their artistic identity while adding a touch of myth and mystery. His experience working across genres, from folk and rock to hip-hop and indie pop, showcases his ability to translate complex themes into visual narratives that resonate with listeners. In each of his collaborations, Martin brings a unique approach to the album artwork that aligns with the musician’s style while maintaining his own artistic voice. His attention to detail, his ability to incorporate symbolic elements, and his willingness to adapt his style to suit the artist’s vision make his album covers more than just visual representations—they become extensions of the music itself. Martin views album artwork as a form of storytelling, a way to capture the essence of an album and transform it into a visual experience that can stand alongside the music. For Aaron Martin, each cover is a window into the album’s world, inviting listeners to step into the artist’s universe.

In his album artwork, Martin consistently aims to capture the intangible qualities of music—the emotions, stories, and messages that lie beneath the surface. He approaches each cover as an opportunity to translate sound into imagery, creating pieces that feel alive and full of movement. For Martin, the goal is not only to complement the album but to enhance the listener’s experience, providing a visual gateway into the music. In the end, Martin’s album artwork goes beyond conventional design; it’s a collaboration between artist and musician, a blending of sound and vision that adds layers of meaning to each project. His covers do more than adorn albums—they create a world where music and art become inseparable, each enriching the other in a seamless, immersive experience.

In his ongoing collaboration with the psychedelic soul band Okey Dokey, Martin has created a series of album covers that blend lush, vibrant colors with surrealist, cosmic motifs. Interwoven floral patterns, mythical creatures, and layered designs reflect the band’s sound, creating a cohesive visual experience. Each cover is an exploration of Okey Dokey’s evolving musical themes, from love and introspection to fantasy. His approach for each album reflects the evolving mood of Okey Dokey’s music, with each cover standing as a snapshot of the band’s journey.

Another standout collaboration in Martin’s portfolio is with Barney Cortez, an artist known for his introspective, often raw approach to music. For Cortez, Martin leaned into a darker, more minimalistic style that mirrors the musician’s haunting and emotive lyrics. Using muted colors and symbolic imagery, Martin created album covers for Cortez that are as much about negative space as they are about detail. His artwork for Cortez taps into themes of solitude, mystery, and self-reflection, offering an almost cinematic quality that echoes the emotional weight of Cortez’s music. 

Working with Skyway Man, a Nashville-based musician whose music blends Americana with psychedelic and cosmic themes, Martin found an opportunity to explore interstellar landscapes and mystical themes. Skyway Man’s sound, which often draws on sci-fi and cosmic folk, aligns with Martin’s love for the surreal and otherworldly. For this project, Martin created a cover that features celestial motifs, dream-like atmospheres, and mythic characters, blending elements of Americana with fantastical visuals. His cover art for Skyway Man incorporates a sense of exploration and movement, designed to guide the listener on a journey through sound and space. This cover feels like a portal to another realm, inviting listeners to dive deeper into the album and the stories within it.

In his work with Glass Dove, Martin took on a moodier, more mysterious approach to reflect the band’s indie-rock sound, which often deals with themes of loss, introspection, and transformation. The artwork he created for Glass Dove’s albums combines dark, rich colors with ethereal, translucent figures, creating a haunting and atmospheric feel. His covers for Glass Dove are marked by a layered composition, where elements appear to fade in and out, mirroring the band’s introspective lyrics and textured sound. By incorporating shadowy landscapes and figures, Martin’s artwork for Glass Dove invokes a sense of mystery, inviting listeners to engage with the deeper, more introspective side of the music.

Collaborating with Jung Youth, a hip-hop and R&B artist known for his introspective and socially conscious lyrics, Martin brought his surreal style to a genre that is distinct from his typical projects. For Jung Youth’s album artwork, Martin used bold colors, sharp contrasts, and intricate patterns that reflect the complexity and depth of the artist’s music. Each cover Martin created for Jung Youth features symbolic imagery that speaks to themes of resilience, identity, and self-discovery. His artwork brings a dream-like quality to Jung Youth’s sound, using surreal landscapes and symbolic motifs to visually interpret the artist’s message. This project highlights Martin’s versatility and his ability to translate a wide range of musical styles into his own visual language.