The debut solo album from María Zardoya of the Marías seemingly presented some logistical challenges: Her main band is already basically named after her, and her voice is so unmistakable that it could be tricky to tell where one entity begins and the other ends. But none of the above is an issue for “Melt,” which is very distinctively Zardoya but channels the ‘90s trip-hop era of Portishead and Massive Attack, as well as adjacent groups like the underrated Broadcast.
Written and recorded in a frigid Upstate New York, the album’s sound often conjures visions of the snowscapes and overcast skies of a Northeastern winter. Yet it’s also filled with some of the strongest hooks in her discography: The opening track, “Puddles,” has a simple descending keyboard hook that evokes dripping water and is nearly impossible to get out of your head; the breezy, piano-driven “Moment” and the ballad “Back to You” are the most Marías-like songs here; the album also branches into tropicalia terrain on the Spanish-language track “Vueltas.” While “Melt” seems to be more of a side-journey from the Marías’ course than a new vehicle, it’s a diverse and compelling chapter in Zardoya’s creative work.
The Fat Angel Sings 