Atwood Magazine’s writers dive into María Zardoya’s debut solo album as Not for Radio, ‘Melt’ – a hypnotic, heart-on-sleeve exploration of grief, longing, and creative rebirth – unpacking her embrace of gothic romanticism and lush, intimate minimalist arrangements as she expands her legacy beyond The Marías and into something boldly, beautifully her own.
Featured here are Atwood writers Jada Moore, Jake Fewx, and Ashley Littlefield!
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To start, what is your relationship with María Zardoya and The Marías’ music?
Jada Moore: The Marias have actually been a part of my general music rotation since about 2017. Teen me was just enthralled by the quartet (especially Maria’s breathy and captivating vocals) and I’ve been a fan ever since!
Jake Fewx: Minus a few songs that pop up here and there, I’m a bit sad to say I actually don’t know much of The Marias! I first heard of them as a feature on Tainy’s 2023 album, Data (which is absolutely epic). I’ve followed the upward trajectory of their success up to this point, which made Melt a highly anticipated project for me this year; however I can’t call myself a true fan. Not For Radio gauged my interest, and it did not disappoint!
Ashley Littlefield: I first knew the name back in 2017, but I had never given myself the time to listen intently. That’s what makes music so interesting to discover and humbling to learn more about different artists and what sets their sound apart.
Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
What are your initial impressions and reactions to Melt?
Jada: Listening to the album, the initial thought I had was “this totally sounds like a Maria Zardoya album.” As in, she took her very essence and spirit characteristic of a Marias’ piece and made it her very own for this project. The very heavy presence of instrumentals pairs well with her vocals as always, making it a serene listening experience.
Jake: I’m impressed with how quickly the album drew me in. Maria’s vocal performances are absolutely stellar. The first listen bore a heavy melancholic feeling, like being on a sedative and watching the world go by in slow motion, which to me felt captivating. A lot of the instrumentals have that crisp, classic, nostalgic sort of sound to them which adds an appreciated layer of depth to the songwriting. The amount of thought and care that went into the album is extremely high, making it a well suited candidate to play for a good ol’ fashioned cry.
Ashley: Melodic and hypnotic, María’s vocals remind me of Alina Baraz’s soothing, airy tone. The chosen instruments feel inspired by the classical realm and soothe the soul like jazz, while the percussion elements guide the album, particularly in “Moment” and “Back To You,” which blend so seamlessly.
Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
How does this album compare to The Marías’ albums – what are the most striking similarities or differences?
Jada: I think it definitely has similarities and the overall feel of a The Marías’ album, however Zardoya differentiates by solely being the focus and overall voice on each piece (unlike group projects where the addition of male backings adds a new layer.)
Jake: Sadly, I (regretfully) can’t speak much about the group’s history.
Ashley: The Marías’ albums layer subtle instruments and incorporate blended effects to enhance their background sounds while uplifting the soul of their lyrics. Melt carries a minimal sound layer; the subtle production difference tugs at the heartstrings, keeping the focus on the meaning behind each track.
Melt’s creation has been described as “an alchemy of grief, solitude, and creative communion,” and the record itself as an album of “gothic romanticism, filled with intimate, psychedelic ballads that embody love’s decay reborn into sound.” Does this capture the spirit of these songs, and where do you hear or feel it most?
Jada: This absolutely embodies the overall aura of the project perfectly. There is a haunting sense of longing, pain and loneliness throughout the project. The timing of the release indeed coincides with the season of longing and melancholy. “My Turn” is one song that specifically aligns with the album description – the lyrics themselves are a painful and resentment filled piece. Meanwhile, “Melt” captures one of the romantic moments throughout the album with lyrics yearning for a lover, who may never be yours.
Jake: This sentiment absolutely captures the spirit of Melt. Even in the most fantastical moments, Zendoya will find a way to either seduce you or absolutely crush your heart. Maria’s vocal performances exude a sense of longing while remaining close to the chest and intimate, but there’s often a strong sense of disassociation to the music which, I think successfully, softens the emotional poignancy of what is being said.
“Puddles” is such a great opening track for this album because beneath the sultry, dream-like presentation is a naive tale of a captivating love interest. But the sound is so colorful and alluring that you want to have a part of every piece of it. It’s this kind of juxtaposition where the album finds its footing as it so successfully captures the dense, multi-faceted emotion of sadness and the willingness for connection.
Ashley: “Swan” embodies that Gothic Romantic spirit, transcending the listener into a new dimension of grief and solitude while fostering communion. The production and lyrics are phenomenal, with the added oscillating soft bass line tethers into a gentle frequency that blends into the background—an art form in itself—that paints a landscape of understanding and an aura of soulful self-reflection.
Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
If Melt is an act of rebirth, what do you think it’s leaving behind, and what new world is it creating?
Jada: Melt symbolizes a rebirth for Zendoya as she takes on a new persona and independence under the name “Not for Radio.” Considering the album’s themes and deeply emotional lyrics, perhaps it also serves as an outlet to express and reclaim the feelings that she’s been holding in. Which must be riveting, and perhaps this is a rebirth in itself.
Jake: With how introverted the album sounds, it sounds to me like Maria is speaking from a place of hurt and in need of healing. I hear a lot of heavy, spiteful desperation on display, but it isn’t so obvious on the surface. Perhaps the fact Zendoya is quantifying these feelings is where the rebirth is happening. She feels the hurt, can express the pain, and is looking to grow from there.
Ashley: Melt is leaving behind a sense of past self and creating a new identity from a new perspective. The album sheds light on letting go of pain and translating it into silent strength and resilience through hardship.
Which song(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Jake: Like I mentioned earlier, I love “Puddles” as a hypnotic tone setter for the album. “Back To You” is the track I have revisited the most. It’s an incredible take on a piano ballad that is both relaxing yet incredibly sad at the same time – not to mention the amazingly catchy chorus.
Another one of my favorite moments on the album is the last leg of “Swan.” The whole track feels so cold and distant, but Zendoya subtlety flips that feeling on its head in the last verse with the sparse IDM-esque drum beat. It’s very Homogenic in the best way possible.
Jada: Since Melt’s release, “My Turn” has been on a heavy rotation. Something about the absolute despair in the lyrics and Zardoya’s voice keeps me coming back for me. “Not the Only One” is another track with both yearning as well as some stubbornness in it and I like that bit of tug of war.
“Vueltas” is another slower album addition, sung completely in Spanish with a bit of a soft jazz like vibe with the soft strumming of a guitar. This one is just easy to listen to and maybe even sway to!
Ashley: “Vueltas,” the nylon strings of the guitar carry emotion, beauty, and longing. It was the first song on the album that pulled me into listening to Melt in chronological order.
Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
Do you have any favorite lyrics so far? Which lines stand out?
Jada: “Cause I tried to find a fallen star. And hope it brings me back to you” – “Back to You.” Something about this line expresses the absolute despair and willingness to do whatever it takes, in hopes of being reunited with the one you love most. This is the embodiment many of us feel, when grieving a loved one – at least it is for me. I think it’s why that line stuck with me as much as it has.
“‘Cause you’re not the only one in my head / Yeah, that much is true (ah) / But you are the only one in my bed / I promise you” – “Not the Only One.” I just love how unapologetic the line is!
Jake: Forgive me if this is low hanging fruit, but the Spanish sung on “Vueltas” is gorgeous. I love the imagery of Zendoya’s love being “Like a magnet / gotta have it” on “Magnet.”
Otherwise, “Moment” may be my favorite set of lyrics on the album: “Man, I want to melt inside you / Form to water, then to ice.” Zendoya’s singing perfectly matches the feeling of rain and melting water being depicted in the song. It’s a really beautiful, languid moment that makes the “break” hurt that much more later in the chorus.
Ashley: “Córazon, Córazon, Coraza” in “Vueltas,” because it leads with the heart as a strength. Heart has deep meaning: Whether you give it all you’ve got or it keeps you going physically on the journey, we often forget that the heart keeps us alive and evokes a yearning for more in life, no matter the sensitivity we associate with it.
Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
How do you think Not for Radio expands María Zardoya’s artistic legacy, and what do you think this project represents for her evolution as an artist?
Jada: María is not only the lead singer of a well-loved band, but with this project alone she cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with on the indie pop scene. I feel this project gave us an intimate glimpse into María Zardoya’s mind and heart. Hopefully this will be a stepping stone into more future solo projects!
Jake: I think Melt showcases Not For Radio’s thoughtfulness and wide emotional spectrum. Maria succeeds at crafting something which sounds rooted in traditional ideas, yet pushes modern boundaries with its diverse sound palette and layered lyrical content. I was impressed on first listen, and am excited to see Zendoya’s career progress from here!
Ashley: María Zardoya has a kind of clairvoyance for how in tune she is with her songwriting, clarity of voice, and lyrics. Not for Radio extends this by embracing her artistic nature to curate sounds that shape her creative vision.
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:: stream/purchase Melt here ::
:: connect with Not for Radio here ::
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Not for Radio © Jaxon Whittington
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