It’s hard to remember a time before "Cinema" or the hazy, psychedelic glow of "Superclean." But if you go back to the mid-2010s in Los Angeles, you’ll find a scene where no one noticed The Marías in the way they deserved. At the time, indie pop was obsessed with a specific kind of lo-fi crunch—think Mac DeMarco’s warped guitars or the upbeat surf-rock vibes that dominated the Echo Park circuit. Then came María Zardoya and Josh Conway. They didn't fit the mold. They were doing something that felt like a vintage film noir set in a jazz club in space.
Honestly, the "slow burn" of this band is one of the most interesting case studies in modern music. They didn't have a viral TikTok hit right out of the gate. There was no massive PR machine pushing them into your ears. Instead, they built a world.
The Sound That Sneaked Up on Everyone
When The Marías released Superclean, Vol. I in 2017, the industry was looking for the next "banger." They gave us "I Don't Know You." It’s a track that feels like velvet. It’s smooth, bilingual, and deceptively simple. Yet, for a while, it felt like no one noticed The Marías were effectively bridging the gap between Latin alternative and English-speaking indie.
They weren't "too Latin" for indie fans and they weren't "too indie" for Latin audiences. They were just... there. Existing in a middle ground that most labels didn't know how to market yet. María’s vocals are often described as "whispery," but that’s a bit of a disservice. There’s a technical precision there, a controlled breathiness that mimics the great jazz vocalists of the 1950s. Josh Conway’s production, meanwhile, avoided the digital sterility of the era. He used real instruments, warm tapes, and a sense of space that made the music feel alive.
They were playing tiny rooms. They were doing their own styling. If you saw them live in 2018, you knew you were seeing something special, but the mainstream radar was silent. Why? Maybe it's because their music doesn't demand your attention with loudness. It invites you in with a secret.
Breaking the Language Barrier Without Making a Fuss
One of the coolest things about the band's rise is how they handled being bilingual. Usually, artists have to choose. You’re either a "Spanish artist" or an "English artist." The Marías just did both, often in the same song. This was years before Bad Bunny and Rosalía made "all-Spanish" cool for the Coachella crowd.
They weren't trying to be "crossover" stars. They were just being themselves. María is Puerto Rican, raised in Atlanta, and the music reflected that duality naturally. Songs like "Déjate Llevar" felt just as essential to their identity as "Ruthless."
- The band’s visual aesthetic—heavy on reds, vintage film stock, and mid-century modern furniture—created a brand before people even realized what "branding" was in the Spotify era.
- They leaned into the "Cinema" concept long before their debut album of the same name was even a thought.
- Their DIY roots meant they owned their masters and their vision, which is why their growth felt so organic.
Why the "No One Noticed" Phase Was Necessary
Looking back, the fact that no one noticed The Marías immediately was actually their greatest strength. It allowed them to fail, experiment, and refine their aesthetic without the crushing weight of a major label's expectations.
Think about the artists who blow up overnight. They often get stuck trying to recreate that first hit. Because The Marías grew through word-of-mouth and curated live shows, they built a "cult" following. And cult followings are loyal. They don't just stream a song; they buy the vinyl, they wear the shirt, and they show up to the Greek Theatre years later when the band is finally headlining.
The industry eventually caught up. When Cinema was released in 2021, it wasn't just another indie record. It was a Grammy-nominated statement. The world finally saw what the fans in L.A. had known since 2017: this wasn't just "chill vibes" music. This was sophisticated, orchestral pop that drew lines between Tame Impala and Astrud Gilberto.
The Bad Bunny "Hype" Moment
You can't talk about their trajectory without mentioning "Otro Atardecer." When the biggest artist on the planet, Bad Bunny, put The Marías on Un Verano Sin Ti, it was a "told you so" moment for the long-time fans. Suddenly, the people who said no one noticed The Marías were silenced. Millions of people who had never heard of the band were suddenly obsessed with María’s ethereal bridge on that track.
But here’s the kicker: the band didn't change their sound to fit Bad Bunny. He came into their world. That’s the ultimate sign of an artist who has stayed true to their roots.
The Technical Brilliance Behind the "Vibe"
We use the word "vibe" way too much these days. It’s become a lazy way to describe music that’s easy to listen to. The Marías are much more than a vibe.
If you strip away the velvet curtains and the red lighting, you’re left with incredible songwriting. Josh Conway is a student of classic pop structure. The way he layers percussion—often using unconventional sounds or very tight, dry drum kits—creates a rhythmic foundation that keeps the "dreamy" elements from floating away.
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- Harmony: The vocal layering in tracks like "Little by Little" is complex. It’s not just a lead and a backing; it’s a choir of Marías.
- Instrumentation: They use real brass and woodwinds. This gives the music a physical weight that MIDI plugins just can't replicate.
- Narrative: Their lyrics often deal with the mundane parts of love—loneliness, waiting, small arguments—making them hyper-relatable despite the "glamorous" sound.
What You Can Learn From Their Journey
The Marías didn't chase trends. In 2017, they could have easily pivoted to the trap-pop sound that was dominating the charts. They didn't. They stayed in their cinematic, jazzy lane.
The lesson here is about "aesthetic integrity." If you build a world that is consistent and high-quality, people will eventually find it. You don't need to scream to be heard. Sometimes, a whisper is more effective.
Actionable Steps for Discovering Their Full Range
To truly understand why this band is more than just a "chill study" playlist staple, you have to dig into the deep cuts. Don't just stay on the "This Is The Marías" Spotify playlist.
- Listen to the "Superclean" EPs in order. Notice the progression from the stripped-back bedroom pop of Vol. I to the more confident, layered production of Vol. II.
- Watch their live performances. Specifically, look for their "Tiny Desk" or KEXP sessions. Seeing the music performed by a full band changes your perspective on its complexity.
- Explore their influences. Dive into Brazilian Bossa Nova and 1960s French pop (like Françoise Hardy). You’ll start to hear the DNA of The Marías everywhere.
- Pay attention to the visuals. Follow their creative directors and look at their music videos as short films. Each one is a deliberate piece of art that informs the music.
The era where no one noticed The Marías is long gone. They are now a blueprint for how a DIY band can transition into global stardom without losing their soul. They proved that you can be quiet, artistic, and bilingual—and still win.
If you're just starting to listen to them now, don't feel like you missed the boat. The music is timeless for a reason. Start with Cinema, then work your way back to the early EPs. You'll find a band that was always great; the world just finally turned up the volume.
The next step is to see them live. Their stage design is an extension of their records, and seeing how they translate those studio "whispers" into a room full of thousands of people is a masterclass in modern performance.