Review: Enter the Hypnotic World of Moon and Aries’ Latest Release “High Noon”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY KATIE SLATER ☆
“HIGH NOON” IS THE CINEMATIC NEW SINGLE FROM INTERNATIONAL DUO MOON AND ARIES — With the pair creating over 30 tracks together over the last six years, this song showcases a finely tuned collaboration. Boasting one of the smoothest soundscapes I’ve heard this year, its trip-hop meets neo-soul fusion feels like a hypnotic lullaby.
Moon and Aries is the long-term project of Canadian singer Jordana Moon and German composer Tom Aries. “High Noon” reflects a style of writing that is not driven by a single genre. Focusing on the interplay between electronic and traditional instrumentation, their tracks are threaded together by experimentation rather than genre convention.
Instantly striking in this latest exploration is the duo’s contrasting influences. While the chords maintain a trip-hop rhythm, consistently off-beat and energetic, the melodic layers adopt a smooth jazz quality.
Interestingly, they achieve this smoothness through consistent movement rather than stagnant parts. Often, the saxophone, vocals and guitar all carry their own melody. Weaving around each other in a constant flow, it becomes difficult to follow the movement of any single part. Instead, the tunes wash over you as one, sweeping you into the track’s dreamy atmosphere.
Lyrically, they achieve a very similar effect. Rather than foregrounding the voice, it sits low enough in the mix to blend into the instrumental soundscape. Even those listening closely to the vocals of Jordana Moon will struggle to pick out every word. Instead, the lyrics achieve a general sense of idyllic positivity that hints at a divine world. While certain hooks become familiar, the overall effect is one of deliberate disorientation as you drift along with the song’s movement.
As the end of the “High Noon” nears its end, the vocals fade out of the mix entirely, reversing the track’s slow-building structure. The instrumental section is left bare, with its separate parts beginning to unravel. Rather than contributing to a seamless layer of accompaniment, the parts engage in their own dialogue, filling the space with contrasting melodies. With the texture finally reduced to two soloing guitars, the cinematic song ends on a final, bluesy flourish.
Ultimately, “High Noon” proves itself to be a highly immersive track: The perfect listen for anyone looking to lose themself in adream-like world, its understated complexities owe itself to several repeat listens.
