You know that feeling when you stumble upon a song that feels like a humid, neon-lit night in Los Angeles? That's basically the entire discography of The Marías, but one track specifically has managed to lodge itself into the collective consciousness of indie fans more than almost any other. We need to talk about If Only The Marías. It’s not just a song; it’s a mood that has somehow survived the fleeting attention spans of the TikTok era to become a genuine staple of modern dream pop.
Honestly, it's wild. The Marías, led by the enigmatic María Zardoya and drummer Josh Conway, have a knack for making music that feels like a velvet curtain closing. But "If Only" hits different. It was released as part of their 2018 EP, Superclean, Vol. II, and since then, it has quietly racked up tens of millions of streams without the massive marketing machine you'd expect for a "hit." It's the definition of a slow burn.
The Secret Sauce of the Superclean Era
Most bands struggle to find their "sound" for years. The Marías found it immediately. When Superclean, Vol. II dropped, the indie world was already leaning into this lo-fi, jazz-inflected pop, but María brought a bilingual, sultry sophistication that felt older than her years. If Only The Marías captures that exact moment where the band perfected their "Cinema" aesthetic before they even released an album called Cinema.
The track starts with that iconic, strolling bassline. It's steady. It’s confident. Then those washed-out guitars kick in, and you’re suddenly in a David Lynch movie. People often mistake "If Only" for a simple love song, but if you listen to the lyrics, there's a deep-seated longing and a touch of regret. It's about the "what ifs." We've all been there—staring at a phone or out a window, wondering if a different choice would have led to a different life.
Josh Conway’s production on this track is a masterclass in restraint. He doesn't overstuff the mix. Instead, he lets the space between the notes do the heavy lifting. This "less is more" approach is why the song still sounds fresh in 2026, while other synth-pop tracks from the late 2010s are starting to feel a bit dated and dusty.
Why the "If Only" Aesthetic Took Over Social Media
If you spend any time on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve heard this song. It’s the soundtrack to a thousand "Get Ready With Me" videos and grainy film montages of sunsets. Why? Because it’s visually evocative.
Music theorists—and even just casual fans on Reddit—have pointed out that the tempo of If Only The Marías sits at that perfect "walking pace." It matches the rhythm of a heartbeat at rest. This creates a physiological sense of calm. It's biological, really. When you pair that with María's breathy, effortless vocals, you get a track that functions almost like a sedative for the anxious modern mind.
📖 Related: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
It’s also one of those rare songs that transcends language barriers. While The Marías often switch between English and Spanish, "If Only" is primarily in English, yet it retains that Latin-jazz soul that makes the band so distinct. It’s a bridge. It connects the indie-rock kids in Brooklyn to the jazz lovers in Mexico City.
Breaking Down the Instrumentation
Let's get technical for a second, but not too technical. The guitar work here is heavily influenced by the "Stops" and "Starts" of 70s soul. There's a subtle wah-pedal effect that isn't cheesy; it’s just... smooth.
- The Vocals: María’s voice is mixed very "forward." It sounds like she’s whispering directly into your ear, a technique often used in ASMR. This creates an immediate intimacy.
- The Percussion: It’s crisp. The snare drum has that "dead" 70s sound—no ring, just a thud. This keeps the dreaminess of the synths grounded so the song doesn't just float away into nothingness.
- The Lyrics: "If only you were mine..." It’s a simple hook. But it’s the way she drags out the vowels. It feels like she’s physically reaching for something she can't touch.
The Marías have always been open about their influences, citing everything from Tame Impala to Radiohead and even classic boleros. You can hear all of that DNA in If Only The Marías. It’s a hybrid. A beautiful, strange hybrid that shouldn't work as well as it does.
The Misconceptions About the Band's Rise
Some people think The Marías were an overnight success because of a few viral videos. That’s just wrong. They spent years playing tiny venues in LA, perfecting their live show. If you ever see them perform "If Only" live, you'll notice the crowd goes silent. It’s a communal moment of hush.
There's also this idea that they are just a "vibe" band. People use that word a lot—vibe. It’s kind of a backhanded compliment, isn't it? It implies there's no substance. But the songwriting on Superclean, Vol. II is tight. The chord progressions are more complex than your average bedroom pop song. They’re using major seventh chords and unexpected transitions that keep the ear engaged even while the body relaxes.
Real Talk: Is It Their Best Song?
This is where fans get into heated debates. Is If Only The Marías better than "Cariño"? Is it more iconic than "Hush"?
👉 See also: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
"Cariño" arguably put them on the map for the Spanish-speaking world, but "If Only" is the track that solidified their "cool" factor globally. It’s the song you send to someone when you want to show them you have good taste. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious.
The band has evolved significantly since 2018. Their later albums, like Cinema and their more recent 2024/2025 work, have experimented with more aggressive textures and even some electronic elements. Yet, they always seem to come back to that core sound found in "If Only." It’s their North Star.
How to Experience This Track Properly
If you're just listening to this on crappy phone speakers, you're doing it wrong. Seriously. To actually "get" why people are obsessed with If Only The Marías, you need a decent pair of headphones or a room with some soul.
- Wait for the Golden Hour. There is something about the way the light hits during the last hour of the day that makes this song resonate more deeply.
- Focus on the Bass. Most people follow the melody, but the bassline in this track is the secret hero. It’s the spine of the entire song.
- Listen to the EP in Order. Don't just shuffle. Superclean, Vol. II is a journey. "If Only" hits harder when you've heard the tracks leading up to it.
The Marías have managed to do something very difficult: they've created a "classic" in an era of disposable music. We live in a world where songs are forgotten a week after they trend. Yet, seven or eight years later, we’re still talking about this specific track.
It’s about the nostalgia for things that never happened. That’s the core of the "If Only" appeal. It’s a placeholder for our own memories. Whether you’re driving through a rainy city or just sitting in your room, the song expands to fill the space you give it.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Listener
If you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of If Only The Marías, don't stop there. The world of dream pop and neo-psychedelia is vast. To deepen your appreciation for this specific style of music, check out the artists that The Marías themselves have praised. Look into the discographies of Mild High Club, Khruangbin, or even the classic Brazilian bossa nova records of the 60s. You'll start to hear the threads that connect María’s vocals to the greats of the past.
✨ Don't miss: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
For those looking to capture this aesthetic in their own creative work, study the band's use of color theory in their music videos. Notice how they use deep reds and blues to complement the "warmth" of the audio. It’s a total sensory experience.
The most important thing to remember about If Only The Marías is that it invites you to slow down. In a world that is constantly screaming for your attention, this song is a quiet request to just be. That’s why it’s not going anywhere. It’s a permanent part of the indie canon now.
Take a moment to listen to the live acoustic versions available on YouTube. You’ll see that even without the studio polish, the song holds up. It’s a testament to good songwriting. Strip away the reverb, strip away the synths, and you still have a haunting melody that stays with you long after the final note fades out.
To get the most out of your Marías obsession, dive into their lyrics beyond the surface level. Translate the Spanish sections of their other songs. You'll find a recurring theme of loneliness and connection that makes "If Only" feel like just one chapter in a much larger, more complex story about what it means to be human in a digital age.
Next Steps for the New Fan
- Explore the "Superclean" Short Film: The band released a visual accompaniment to their EPs that provides the intended context for their music.
- Check Out the Remixes: There are several lo-fi and slowed + reverb versions online that emphasize the song's "dream" qualities.
- Follow the Gear: If you're a musician, look into the specific hollow-body guitars and vintage synths Josh Conway uses to achieve that signature Marías warmth.