By Leyli Izadpanah, Staff Writer
Formed in 2016, The Marías are the Grammy nominated Californian psychedelic pop band fronted by Puerto Rican-born vocalist María Zardoya and Los Angeles native Josh Conway. Rounding out the group are longtime collaborators and friends of the two, Jesse Perlman on guitar and Edward James on keyboards; when all of these talents combine, The Marías are a band that seamlessly blends indie pop, psychedelic soul, and Latin influences into a dreamy, genre-defying sound.
Zardoya was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Her multicultural upbringing has had a significant influence on the band’s sound, as she blends both English and Spanish in her vocals, giving The Marías a distinct bilingual discography and capturing the hearts of fans from many different cultures. Zardoya’s warm, sultry voice has become a signature feature of their music, often drawing comparisons to Men I Trust and Lana Del Rey.
Conway brings his laid-back yet intricate production style to the group; as the band’s drummer and producer, he helps craft The Marías’ dreamy, ethereal sound, combining indie pop and soul with elements of jazz and funk. Conway’s work often centers on the delicate balance between electronic and organic instrumentation, creating lush, atmospheric soundscapes that perfectly complement Zardoya’s vocals.
The Marías’ first major breakthrough came with the release of their debut EP (extended play) Superclean Vol. 1 in 2017, followed by Superclean Vol. 2 in 2018. These EPs caught the attention of indie fans and critics, earning praise for their unique blend of genres. The release of their debut album, Cinema (2021), further cemented their place in the indie music scene, with tracks like “I Don’t Know You” and “Cariño” showcasing their ability to weave together complex emotions with a laid-back, groove-heavy sound that has captured listeners’ attention worldwide.
Since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, The Marías have earned the reputation behind their impressive upward trajectory, including two Grammy nominations for “Album of the Year” and “Best Engineered Album,” a Billboard chart-topping song, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Bad Bunny and Tainy.
Recently, The Marías released two new highly anticipated singles, including “Back to Me” and “Nobody New.” Known for their heartbreak ballads, the band stuck to the same emotional themes of romance and longing that are present in their 2024 album, Submarine.
The lyrics of the song “Back to Me” explore the emotional aftermath of lost love, blending regret, longing, and a fragile hope for reconciliation. Through poetic lyrics and cinematic references, the song paints a picture of someone grappling with moving on while still deeply connected to a past relationship.
The opening lines reflect a desire for personal growth, yet reveal how overwhelming it would be to face their former partner again, “Promise I’m changing / Back from the dark / But if I would see you / I’d fall apart.”
In the second verse, “Maybe it’s over (try to forget) / It’s hard to accept (walkin’ again) / As I’m getting older (roots in my head) / Full of regrets,” themes of aging and regret take center stage. There’s an acceptance that the relationship may be over, but its emotional weight lingers. The lyrics capture the complexity of healing; learning to move forward while carrying the memories and lessons of a love that still feels alive.
The chorus, full of insecurity and urgency, shifts from questioning, “Is she all that you want? / Is she all that you need?” to a desperate plea for a second chance, “I’d be there in a hurry / Baby, come back to me”, highlighted by the symbolic promise to “build a house across the sea,” a gesture of love and escapism.
The end of the song shifts from questioning to stating, “I’ll be all that you want / I’ll be all that you need…I just built us a house / Down across the sea / Just to tell you I’m sorry / Baby, come back to me,” fulfilling Zardoya’s promise.
Zardoya’s voice is the emotional core of the song, with her soft, almost whispered delivery creating an intimate atmosphere that feels as though she’s speaking directly to the listener. Her tone is bittersweet yet comforting, conveying a deep longing for reconciliation and emotional closeness. The vulnerability in her delivery of the line “Back to me” feels like a heartfelt plea for a return to a moment of peace and connection. The introspective, poetic lyrics further enhance the reflective mood of the track.
“Back To Me” stands out for its perfect balance of melancholy and hope. The song explores themes of nostalgia and longing for emotional reconnection, yet it avoids feeling too somber. With its rich production and Zardoya’s captivating vocals, the track evokes both heartache and a subtle sense of optimism, creating a deeply emotional experience that resonates on multiple levels.
“Nobody New” might just seem like an additional track to the overall single release, but it’s not one to skip over. The song has very similar themes to “Back to Me”, depicting someone holding out for a past lover and telling them “there’s no one like you”, yet it has lines in Spanish that introduce another level of emotion and intimacy to the listener.
The song’s melody has the group’s signature dreamy ethereal vibe with Zardoya’s angelic singing taking center stage in the melancholic masterpiece. The hypnotic rhythm makes the song feel like a wistful daydream; whether you’re missing a past lover, or just getting lost in the song, Zardoya creates something deeply relatable for everyone.
The lyrics detail the speaker yearning for a past lover with the song opening, “Every day, I wake up missing you / Wishing that I were to be in your bed / By your side, tell me that you’ll wait for me, patiently / No one else taking all my time, holding out for you.” The opening immediately sets a tender emotional tone with longing, vulnerability, and a deep sense of absence. It feels personal, almost like a confession or a letter never sent.
The chorus has an undeniably catchy beat, riddled with a heartfelt confession of unwavering love, even in separation. “Baby I promise / There’s nobody new / I’m being honest / There’s no one like you.” The catchy beat paired with such a heartfelt confession creates that bittersweet contrast where you want to dance, but you’re also heartbroken.
Verse two’s Spanish lyrics add another layer of intimacy and emotion; “Aquí estoy otra vez sin tu amor (Here I am again without your love) / Siento que me cuesta ya respirar (I feel like I’m having trouble breathing now) / ¿Qué más da? (What does it matter?) / Si no puedo olvidarme de ti (If I can’t forget you ) / Pido a Dios que me haga feliz (I ask God to make me happy) / Sin tenerte a ti (Without having you).” It’s an intentional shift, as if the emotion gets too heavy for one language to carry. It’s almost like English tells the story, but Spanish feels it in amore visceral, more desperate way. The bilingual structure mirrors the emotional complexity of missing someone so much that even your language switches under the weight of it.
The Marías’ songs “Back to Me” and “Nobody New” blend dreamy alt-pop with emotional depth and bilingual storytelling. With lush production, smooth vocals, and lyrics that balance vulnerability and confidence, these tracks are both personal and universally relatable. Whether you’re heartbroken, healing, or just vibing, their sound is hypnotic and inclusive; perfect for anyone to listen to.
