María Zardoya, the lead singer of The Marías, released her first solo project on Oct. 10 under the name Not for Radio. “Melt” is a slow-tempo, lush, melancholic album that approaches themes of romance from different perspectives. Although the sound is consistent throughout the album, Zardoya’s poetic lyrics, soft locals and piano melodies make it a great listen.

Zardoya described the album as a “seasonal project” in an interview with Zane Lowe. “Melt is like the winter album. A collection of songs that were written truly in the dead of winter.” She felt that “Melt” encapsulated all the feelings that come during the colder months of the year as she was working on the project.

Not For Radio’s debut album opens with the track “Puddles,” which immediately sets the tone for her body of work. The subtle drum pattern resembles a rhythmic heartbeat that backs Zardoya’s breathy vocals. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning for a relationship with someone that doesn’t exist. Throughout the song, she imagines an intangible romance that will never exist. The chorus repeats the line “Puddles and puddles, I picture us there,” showing that the singer longs for connection but fears heartbreak that may follow. Towards the end, the song becomes faster and more dynamic.

“My Turn” is a track written from the perspective of someone who is feeling guilty for having done something to hurt their partner, while “Back To You” is about feelings of missing an old partner and accepting that they won’t come back. 

Not For Radio takes a more playful approach on “Swan.” It is a longing ballad in search of the person you’re meant to end up with, referencing the fact that swans mate for life in the wild. Zardoya explores the idea of humans finding one love and mating for life. 

My personal favorite from the album is “Not the Only One.” The song feels like being pulled into someone’s personal diary. Zardoya’s voice is slow and feels fragile. The measured, floaty production compliments the intimately honest lyrics perfectly. The line “You don’t see me like he do…” in verse three highlights feelings of neglect and comparison. Not For Radio captures the push and pull of an emotional imbalance in a relationship.

On “Magnet,” Zardoya’s vocals are layered over minimal production and synth textures. The lyrics describe the feelings of a connection between two people that can’t be controlled. She tackles the theme of desiring someone but wanting to protect yourself from the possibility of heartbreak.

The only track that is sung entirely in Spanish is “Vueltas,” which favors an acoustic guitar instead of her usual piano. “Vueltas” follows the singer’s internal conflict between holding on and letting go of old feelings. Lines like “Y tú das vueltas en mi mente (And you spin around in my mind)” show the obsessive thoughts that make it difficult to find emotional closure after a relationship has ended. The acoustic sound and lyrical vulnerability makes it a standout track on the album.

The penultimate track, “Water on the Nose,” evokes a sense of tension. Zardoya’s voice is almost a whisper and seems submerged into the soft synth of the production.

The album closes with the track “Slip to End.” It’s not a dramatic conclusion, but rather a slow farewell. It has minimal production with light airy vocals. The song fully leans into the vulnerability mentioned in the title. The song is about letting go with uncertainty and a little fear. It captures the peace in knowing that there are no feelings left to hold onto. The album concludes with a lingering echo fading into static.

Although the album doesn’t feel like a big departure from The Marías, it takes a darker and more mature approach. Sam Evian’s dreamy production paired with Zardoya’s melancholic voice and intimate lyrics results in a wistful, tight-knit record.