Bilingual, hypnotic, genre blending, love, heartbreak, and friendship are components that make up the rising, psychedelic-soul band The Marias. Could these attributes ultimately destory them?
The band’s rise to popularity began when they collabrated with Bad Bunny, famous Puerto Rican rapper, on the 2022 song “Otro Atardecer” from the album Un Verano Sin Ti. Later in 2022, lead singer Maria Zardoya and drummer Josh Conway end their eight year romantic relationship.
After a six month break, The Marias reconnected and began writing their latest album Submarine, which was released in 2024. After having gained recognition, taken breaks, had break-ups, and rekindled the band, Zardoya reveals, through cryptic messages, a new solo project called Not for Radio. Could a new solo album be on the horizon? Or, is Maria Zardoya leaving the band due to her breakup with bandmate and co-founder Josh Conway?
Maria Zardoya meets Josh Conway in 2016 at an open mic in Los Angeles, California. The two immediately hit it off. Josh invited her to a studio where they began writing music together, and continued to do so, eventually forming The Marias with the help of friends Jesse Perlman, guitarist, and Edward James, keyboardist.
Cinema and Submarine: Two hit studio albums with two diverse themes
Cinema is an audiovisual experience that transports listeners into another world. With the vibrant, multigenre album listeners can submerge themselves into a cinematic experience. The album is filled with nostalgia, especially for the band members, due to Cinema being a tribute to Pedro Almodovar, Spanish film director and screenwriter. The overall stylistic approach in Cinema is influenced by Almodovar, which can be seen throughout the entire album. By using techniques derived from Almodovar, The Marias welcomes the audience to immerse themselves into their vibrant, whimsical album that varies in styles from song to song.
Submarine is a heartbreak anthem infused with songs that captures the many stages of grief that come with an end of a relationship. It highlights the process of reincarnating The Marias as a powerful band that is formed from the foundation of platonic love. With themes of water that symbolize extinguishing the romantic journey Zardoya and Conway once had. The album dives into themes of loneliness and finding oneself with dreamy lyrics and textured sounds that will invite listeners to become submerged into the music.
Both albums are a contrasting connection between the fiery red of Cinema and the cool blue of Submarine.
Zardoya’s new solo project, not for radio
Maria Zardoya announces her first solo project in August 2025 by releasing cryptic messages on social media platforms under the alias, Not for Radio. There are three messages that explain what Not for Radio’s purpose is.
In “Message 1,” Maria Zardoya says, “I wanted to explore on my own, what it meant to love and to lose.”
So, are The Marias over? Are the messages Zardoya’s way of splitting from the group and finding herself through this solo project?
Actually, no. Maria Zardoya is promoting her new solo album Melt with ten songs that will be released on October 10, 2025. On an Instagram post, Zardoya explains her intent with Not for Radio by explaining the difficulty of expanding her discography, but loving the openness of being able to experiment on something entirely her own.
Melt Track List:
- “Puddles”
- “My Turn”
- “Moment”
- “Back to You”
- “Swan”
- “Not the Only One”
- “Magnet”
- “Vueltas
- “Water On Your Nose”
- “Slip”
Will the Marias continue making music together?
Even though Not for Radio is Zardoya’s way of expanding her musical attributes and finding her independence after an almost decade long relationship, she confirms on The Marias Instagram that, “…the band will be here forever.” The romantic relationship between Zardoya and Conway has evolved into a musical collaboration.
It seems as though the other band members of The Marias are supportive of Zardoya’s solo project. Even Josh Conway commented on The Maria’s post saying, “it is so good you guys are gonna love it.”
With support of her fellow bandmates and fans, Zardoya will continue being lead singer of The Marias, as well as continue working independently as Not for Radio.
Ralph
October 13, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Great article had everything I needed to know….