Two New Singles by The Marías That Will Transport You
(Image via Instagram @themarias)
The Marías exist in the space between: between dream and reality, between indie rock and soulful psychedelic, between fresh and nostalgic. Past albums from the band, led by LA-based husband-wife duo María Rael and Josh Conway, feature songs in a purgatory-like state of uncertainty, both in Spanish and English. Since their last album—Superclean, Vol. II—released in 2018, they have been releasing singles sporadically; however, the release of their latest two singles suggests that a new album is on the horizon.
Their most recent release, “Jupiter,” starts with the muted ring of a telephone followed by an answering machine. The subtleness prevents the song from becoming gimmicky, instead grounding us in reality while also escorting us into the dreamscape of the song. A combination of surf rock and bedroom pop, the song blends the sounds of songs like “Marcel” by Her’s and the liquid sounds of “Dreams Tonight” by Alvvays. Verses are sung in call and response, a concerned and loving voice calling out to a troubled mind, reflecting themes from their past music. The lyrics are a love letter to life together, and when the soft voices of Rael and Conway are joined in the chorus, it becomes clear that being together is the remedy to their maladies. The chorus floats on by, and they sing, “And now I'm waking up with you / The sun is blasting in this room / I'm lovin' everything you do / And I'm drawin' pictures next to you.” This song is that soft place to land, that memory of summer in the dead of winter, of togetherness ruminating in a place of seclusion.
If “Jupiter” is like a dream floating on a cloud, then “Hold it Together” is the comedown from that ethereal state. The lyrics focus on the same yearning as in “Jupiter,” but we crawl inside the spiraling, lonely mind of an isolated lover. In the second verse, Rael sings, “Hold it together / God I wish I knew better / Than to be alone like this / Maybe I’m over it.” When the strong baseline hits after the pre-chorus, the world turns upside down: like spinning and skipping with heavy feet. This beat is infectious; it gives life to the airy loose vocals and guitar, making it impossible not to rock back and forth once it hits. This appeal to the darker side of loneliness, using heavy beats, signifies a departure from The Marías’ past, more mellow tracks and reveals an exciting new direction for the band, one that indicates an evolution towards new sounds and themes.
“Jupiter” and “Hold it Together” are two sides of the same coin; transcending reality can allow us to escape life, but also holds a mirror up to our most intimate faults. Either way, it’s a treat to be under The Marías’ trance and a satisfying preview of what is yet to come.
