On this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby tumble headfirst into the dreamy deep end with “No One Noticed” by The Marías, a song that doesn’t so much start as it appears, like fog rolling under a streetlamp. After a very calm, very normal intro that absolutely does not get hijacked immediately (😅), the guys unpack why this track hits with such quiet force: it’s simple on paper, hypnotic in practice, and emotionally loud without raising its voice.
Toby takes us on one of his signature rabbit-hole journeys, starting with Maria Zardoya’s solo work and circling back to The Marías with fresh ears. Along the way, we get the context that adds extra gravity to the song: the band’s long creative arc, the relationship dynamics behind the scenes, and the unusually mature decision to invest in therapy to preserve the collaboration and keep the art alive. “Band therapy” becomes the unexpected MVP of the conversation, with the guys reflecting on how rare it is to choose respect and structure in the middle of a breakup.
Musically, Joe and Toby geek out on why three chords can still feel like a universe. They talk chord flavor (hello, jazzy voicings), restraint, lush production choices, and how a track can stay harmonically steady while the texture shifts like light on water. The conversation drifts into color, too: why this era of The Marías feels blue, cinematic, and underwater, and what it means when music has a visual palette.
Plus: rom-com vibes, Shazam-in-the-bathroom tactics, and a teaser for the show’s upcoming cover of the song (The Marías get the coins, don’t worry). 🎧💙
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