People who listen to The Marías can expect to have a better summer than those who are denying themselves that pleasure. Lead singer María Zardoya, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta, describes the band as psychedelic-soul with smooth jazz undertones. The Marías isn’t limited by a single genre; instead, they create a unique sound that blends as many instruments as it does emotions. With Josh Conway on the drums and occasionally singing, Jesse Perlman striking heavenly notes on the guitar, Edward James on keys and Gabe Steiner on the trumpet, the music is elevated by a bold creativity that has been missing in the industry for decades.
Although they’ve released two EPs in the past and a few other singles, “CINEMA” is their debut album and their way of telling the world that alternative musicians are starting a revolution. This album states the band’s love for movies, and the concept is conveyed through a theatrical experience that is sublime from start to finish. If a movie were made with “CINEMA” as its soundtrack, I bet it would win the Oscar and a standing ovation from any audience — María’s voice is that powerful in its velvet softness and the band’s instrumentals are equally enchanting.
The album begins with a slow but dramatic instrumental arrangement that creates anticipation and curiosity, but it tells the listener they’re in for something special. That premonition is confirmed by the explosive start of “Call U Back,” a personal favorite worthy a million replays. It’s like an action movie with a spicy romance that also incorporates a subplot of self-discovery. The band made an excellent decision by releasing the music video of “Call U Back” on the same day of the album’s release, as we got to see the beautiful María in her iconic red dress again. There’s a clear aesthetic that follows the narrative of the music videos and the cover art, with red and black being the dominant colors, as striking and bold as the songs themselves.
The third track “Hush” was released months before the album and consolidated The Marías as one of my favorite bands. No discussion. The song spoke to me of defiance and freedom, but also endurance against the people who try to bring you down and step into your business, so the band found a powerful way of silencing those harmful voices and coming back on top, stronger than ever.
Bilingual lyrics have become a part of the band’s essence thanks to Marías Latinx heritage. Songs like “Un Millón” and “Little by Little” incorporate verses in Spanish that create a surreal and sensual effect that blends perfectly with the different instruments. I could listen to María singing in Spanish on repeat for a year and never get tired of it. Something magical about the band is their ability to make you want to dance no matter the tone of the song. Even the psychedelic ballads like “All I Really Want is You” and “To Say Hello” are worthy of slow dancing, just as “Heavy” and “Spin me Around” are ideal for something more passionate.
I will spend the rest of the summer memorizing each song of the album in preparation for their tour in 2022. I’ll be the crazy fan dancing in front of the stage at the Buckhead Theater in February and I’m sure it’s going to be one of the happiest days of my life.