“Melt” is the first studio album from The Marías’ lead singer, Marìa Zardoya, under the name of Not for Radio. “Melt” blends sounds from ethereal, otherworldly production with stripped back acoustics, making this album stand out against Zardoya’s other musical projects. Her stunning, angelic voice against the melancholic notes of piano and gentle strumming of the bass offers a powerful sense of emotion and tone. The lyrics are simple and soft throughout, allowing the listener to enjoy the story told by the production and instrumentation.
The opening track “Puddles” is an incredible introduction to the elements present throughout the album, with twinkling synths and a thick bass line.
“Moment” explores a sense of longing as Zardoya sings, “But this moment will change and I’ll never be all yours.” Zardoya’s expertise in weaving words with progressive composition to tell stories is phenomenal, and it is a skill she employs frequently throughout the album. Each track seems to have a progression of emotion and feeling. The track “Back to you” continues these themes as Zardonya sings, “Maybe in another life / I’ll be yours again.” Her somber tone and light voice makes for a touching listening experience. As the track progresses, the melancholic longing transforms into a beautiful declaration that “If it’s not you, I don’t want it,” carrying the production along with overlapping vocals and multilayered instrumentation.
In contrast, the song “My Turn” holds a sense of deep felt regret as Zardoya sings, “Lately, most all I think about is how I did you wrong” and “You didn’t deserve it.” Similarly, “Not the Only One” is a ballad of remorse, as she laments, “This pain almost made me wanna die / ‘Cause you’re not the only one in my head.”
While the album has its strengths in its fantastical composition, some songs fall short. The simplistic, electronic percussion of “Swan” pales in comparison to the acoustic percussion in “Back To You.” Occasionally the production can seem flat as well. The leading keys in “My Turn” blend into the plucky bass, making for a muddled listening experience.
The album has a strong sense of identity. It reaffirms the sound that fans love from The Marìas, but it explores uncharted territory enough that it does not feel like a repeat of Zardoya’s past projects.
On her “Melt” tour, Zardoya will be stopping in San Antonio on Jan. 18 and 19 to play at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in the H-E-B Performance Hall. General ticket sales begin on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at tobincenter.org or at the Tobin Center Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets prices start at $39.
