The transcontinental duo MOON AND ARIES released their latest single “Balance” today, September 5th, marking another chapter in their genre-defying catalog. At 4 minutes and 20 seconds, the track showcases the Canadian-German partnership’s evolving sound with the addition of live instrumentation from guest musicians Peter Mitchell on guitar and Joko Magic on saxophone.
What’s compelling about this release is how it shifts the duo’s usual electronic-heavy approach into warmer, more organic territory. The track weaves together R&B, neo-soul, and trip-hop elements – think Portishead meeting contemporary soul with a touch of jazz-lounge sophistication. Jordana Moon’s vocals carry their signature ethereal quality while navigating the song’s introspective themes about finding equilibrium in life’s constant push and pull.
The lyrics themselves dig into that universal struggle between ambition and authenticity. Lines like “One foot in one foot out / I can’t be myself” capture the compromise so many face between personal truth and professional demands. There’s vulnerability in Moon’s delivery when she sings about “a baby in one hand / And the other is climbing” – that raw honesty about juggling life’s responsibilities while still reaching for something more.
Tom Aries, based in Germany, and Jordana Moon, operating from Canada, have been collaborating virtually since March 2021. Their working relationship defies the traditional band dynamic – creating everything through file-sharing across time zones and continents. Yet somehow, this distance hasn’t diluted their chemistry. If anything, it’s forced them to be more intentional with every creative decision. The geographical separation becomes irrelevant when you hear how seamlessly their artistic visions merge in the final product.
The production on “Balance” reveals careful attention to layers and architecture. Multiple instruments build throughout the track without overwhelming the mix – each element gets its moment to breathe. Mitchell’s guitar work adds texture without dominating, while Magic’s saxophone brings a smoky, late-night quality that pushes the song into trip-hop territory. The duo’s engineering shows restraint where others might have overproduced, letting space become part of the composition.
Here’s what sets MOON AND ARIES apart from the crowded field of electronic acts: they’re not making music for streaming playlists or viral moments. Every track they create targets the sync licensing world – those crucial placements in films, TV shows, commercials, and video games where music becomes part of visual storytelling. “Balance” fits that mold perfectly with its cinematic sweep and emotional dynamics that could soundtrack everything from intimate character moments to establishing shots in noir-influenced dramas.
Their catalog already spans three full-length albums with 33 tracks total: “The Arrival” (2022), which saw its title track cross a million Spotify streams; “Break the Matrix” (2023); and “TRANSCENDENCE” (2024), an ambitious 12-track concept piece with a song for each month. They’ve hit notable milestones too – “FIRENIGHT” topped the official DJ-pool charts in the USA, while “Traffic” landed on the GOA CHILLOUT ZONE VOL. 13 compilation, which climbed into Amazon’s Top 3 Best Sellers in both the UK and Germany.
The duo picked up the Band of the Year award at the OGIMA Music Awards in November 2023, recognition that speaks to their growing influence in the electronic and chill-out scenes. Their music has found audiences across radio stations from Australia to Africa, Europe to Asia, proving that their sound translates across cultural boundaries.
Tom Aries brings classical piano training and experience composing for video games and film soundtracks, drawing inspiration from acts like Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and Röyksopp. Jordana Moon balances this with her background as a singer-songwriter and vocal coach, channeling influences from Joni Mitchell to Lauryn Hill, Massive Attack to the Bee Gees. Together, they’ve found a sweet spot between electronic sophistication and human vulnerability.
What’s refreshing is their commitment to keeping everything human-made – no AI assists in their composition or writing process. In an era where artificial intelligence increasingly shapes creative output, MOON AND ARIES stick to old-school collaboration, even if that collaboration happens through screens and hard drives.
Looking ahead, they’re maintaining momentum with two more releases planned for October and November 2025, specifically crafted for potential sync placements. The real game-changer comes in 2026 when Jordana and Tom meet in person in North America to record a live album and potentially perform live together – a significant step for a partnership built entirely online.
Visual artist Carainaae continues as their creative collaborator, painting and designing the video for “Balance” set to drop by September’s end. This attention to visual storytelling reinforces their positioning for the sync world, where music and imagery merge.
That same deliberate approach carries through to the track itself. ‘Balance’ doesn’t rush to its hooks or force its emotional beats – it unfolds naturally, letting listeners find themselves in the spaces between the notes. There’s something almost meditative about how Moon’s vocals float over Aries’ production while Mitchell’s guitar and Magic’s saxophone converse throughout, none of them competing for attention, just breathing together.
Find MOON AND ARIES on their website, stream their music on Spotify and Apple Music, watch their videos on YouTube, and follow their journey on Instagram.
