Submarine / The Marías / May 30, 2024
- Joshua Yoo
- Jun 11, 2024
- 2 min read
There’s this tiresome misconception that dream pop is more aesthetics than substance, and ‘Submarine’ might be one of the best examples of just how untrue this is. While transforming heartbreak into notably more sober and despondent expressions of indie pop, the band instills so much incredible life into the music, submerging listeners into a world of beautiful melancholy.
In so many instances, the album excels in musical subversion, magically transforming one style to the next from verse to hook seamlessly. “Love You Anyway”, for example, starts with a tight, bass-led groove with super cute layered vocals, before opening the floodgates on an expansive, atmospheric chorus of echoes and gorgeous reverb-soaked guitars. “Real Life” also opens with a sultry, slinking melody fit for a night out, but adds this precious sense of hopefulness when the vocals hit the refrain pleading for a true physical intimacy. The material across the album not only feels more intentional than ever before for The Marías, but also more musically inventive, crafting layers of sophistication that exceeds the reputation of their existing work.
Of course, what they have always excelled at is nailing their aesthetics, and it’s stunning how well the band captures the feeling of being underwater. Whether the isolated guitars on “Lejos de Ti”, or the wobble bass surfacing on multiple tracks (“Love You Anyway”), the sound and feel of the imagery is quite literally infused into the album’s DNA.
The quality of execution is dialed up immensely, but the larger focus of the album feels so true to their entire artistry up to this point. New listeners may be impressed, but it’s even more incredibly rewarding for those who have followed the group to this real point of culmination.
Highlight(s): Real Life, Love You Anyway, Sienna, Paranoia, Run Your Mouth, Ay No Puedo, Lejos de Ti, Echo, No One Noticed, If Only, Blur
Lowlight(s): Ride
SCORE: 9
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