“Aries” by Gorillaz (ft. Georgia & Peter Hook)

In “Aries”, the Gorillaz’ leader, Damon Albarn, is depicting himself as someone who is “isolated” away from the addressee. And despite the fact this track was dropped amidst the 2020 pandemic, where a billions of people were forced to quarantine themselves, within the context of the lyrics this sensation seems to be more symbolic than literal.  Indeed to some degree, such as in the second verse, it can be argued that whom he is singer to is an estranged romantic interest.

But overall the sentiment that is being relayed is the singer’s desire to connect with the addressee. And part of the reason they are not currently together does not seem so much due to distance as it is he perhaps being in some type of emotionally-vulnerable state where he may not have been ready for such a relationship. But now his disposition is changing, and he is becoming more open to socializing with the addressee and this time keeping the individual ‘by his side’.

Conclusion

So again, this song can reasonably be interpreted as one in which the narrator has perhaps given up on romance. However, now, due to his feelings for the addressee, is re-entertaining the idea “falling in” love “again”. But in its entirety, “Aries” is viewed as a track in which the singer is expressing a desire to mitigate his loneliness via becoming closer to an identified addressee(s).

Noodle sheds light on “Aries”

Gorillaz’ guitarist Noodle got both astrologically and mythological in explaining the meaning of this song. He refers to Aries (i.e. people who fall under that astrological sign) as being “highly-impatient and competitive”, with many of them possessing “the fighting spirit of your mythological ruler”. And the latter statement would obviously be an allusion to Aries, the Ancient Greek god of war.

Facts about “Aries”

“Aries” was written by P2J, Peter Hook (of Joy Division and New Order fame). And of course Gorillaz’ members Damon and Remi Kabaka also co-wrote “Aries”.

Meanwhile the entire band produced the track – which individual credit given to Kabaka – alongside James Ford.

This is the first time the Gorillaz have collaborated with Georgia. Georgia actually plays drums on “Aries”. It is also the first time the band and Hook are working together musically. Hook provides vocals as well as bass on the track.

This track was released on 9 April 2020 as the third single from the Gorillaz’ animated-musical project entitled “Song Machine: Season 1”. The first two singles from that project are as follows:

• “Momentary Bliss“