The Marias – Cinema [Black Vinyl LP]

Description

Los Angeles indie pop quintet The Maras introduced themselves on a grand scale with Cinema, a debut album that lives up to its cinematic title. Led by Puerto Rican-born vocalist Mara Zardoya and multi-instrumentalist/producer Josh Conway, the band crafted this collection during the 2020 quarantine, completely remodeling what they had considered a finished album. The album draws inspiration from the classic films and directors that Mara and Josh grew up watching, including Pedro Almodvar and Wes Anderson. Each song functions as its own individual scene in its own individual world, creating a cohesive 39-minute journey through jazz-inflected dream pop sung in both English and Spanish. The band’s name stems from Mara’s given name, though she initially resisted using it until Conway convinced her it perfectly captured their essence.

“Just a Feeling” opens with lush string arrangements that establish the album’s orchestral ambitions, while “Calling U Back” delivers groovy basslines beneath Zardoya’s sultry vocals. “Hush” became a fan favorite with its hypnotic repetition and intimate production. “All I Really Want Is You” showcases the band’s ability to blend jazz instrumentation with indie pop accessibility, and “Hable con Ella” features Spanish lyrics over sweeping strings. “Little by Little” and “Heavy” demonstrate the band’s range between delicate introspection and fuller arrangements. “Un Milln” brings Latin rhythms to the forefront, while “Spin Me Around” offers psychedelic touches. “The Mice Inside This Room” captures vulnerability, and the closing tracks “To Say Hello,” “Fog as a Bullet,” and “Talk to Her” provide contemplative endings to this dreamlike sonic journey.

This black vinyl pressing with printed inner sleeve delivers the album’s layered production with warmth and clarity. The pressing captures the intricate interplay between Conway’s guitar work, Edward James’ keyboards, Carter Lee’s guitar, and Jesse Perlman’s drums, all anchored by Zardoya’s captivating vocals. The printed inner sleeve includes additional artwork and credits that enhance the visual presentation of an album designed to transport listeners into The Maras’ cinematic universe. This pressing preserves a debut that immediately established the band as one of indie pop’s most exciting new voices.

• Format: Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: “Hush,” “All I Really Want Is You,” “Calling U Back,” “Un Milln”
• Pressing details: Printed inner sleeve
• Genre/style: Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Jazz Pop
• UPC: 075678644306

Cinema captures The Maras’ ability to blend jazz sophistication with indie accessibility, creating an immersive listening experience that rewards repeated visits. This vinyl edition honors a debut album that proved bilingual dream pop could captivate audiences across cultural boundaries.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Just A Feeling
2. Call U Back
3. Hush
4. All I Really Want Is You
5. Hable Con Ella
6. Little By Little
7. Heavy

Side B:

1. Un Milln
2. Spin Me Around
3. The Mice Inside This Room
4. To Say Hello
5. Fog As A Bullet
6. Talk To Her