10 New Songs to Listen to by Katteyes, Kapo, EMJAY, CRIS CHIL, and more

CRIS CHIL has written hits for Kali Uchis, Karol G, and J Balvin and has also worked with Drake, Selena Gomez, Anitta, and more. This year, she enters a new phase of her career as a solo artist and singer with her debut EP, titled UMBRAL (“Threshold”). This week, she releases her new single, “La Respuesta,” making an immediate impression. The song’s vulnerable lyrics are mirrored by its raw, biting production, quickly establishing her sound for newcomers. As CRIS shows in her self-directed music video, the turbulent past is something to leave behind — and, if necessary, destroy with a baseball bat — to start a new chapter. – Juan J. Arroyo

It can’t always be overpriced green juice and luxury wellness retreats; someone’s got to hold it down for the ancestral remedies passed on by our matriarchs. Karen y Los Remedios give that generational knowledge its own rhythm on “Curandera,” the latest glimpse of their forthcoming album Bestiaria. Inspired by the homemade limpias, advice, and remedies Ana Karen G. Barajas received from her grandmother and aunt Elena, the track follows those acts of care as they become lessons in her own healing.

The process unfolds into a deep, slow-burning cumbia groove, built from a recipe of trombone, cowbell, organ, and shadowy synths that turns it into a ritual you can actually dance through. It’s invitingly dark and hypnotic without sacrificing any tenderness. As generations of women pass down ways to care, protect, and heal, the song becomes its own source of power — with cumbia offering a new way to carry that wisdom forward and keep the healing moving. By the end, becoming your own curandera feels a little less mystical and a lot more familiar: listen to your body, trust what it tells you, and remember the women who taught you how. – Jeanette Diaz

Following the jazz fusion–inspired yet sensual Mudanzas, “Por ejemplo tú” is the latest follow-up from Mexico City artist Karina Galicia. While her previous single leaned into vibrant, upbeat jazzy undertones, Galicia’s new song explores memory through an equally triumphant, laid-back melody. “Por ejemplo tú” showcases her songwriting at its strongest, paired with an ambitious assemblage of soft textures that highlights her gospel-touched R&B style.

The production stays subtle, drawing on an array of instruments that capitalize on quiet moments and deepen the concept — like the scorching synth note that plays as a phantom of forgiveness lingering in the background. Produced in collaboration with close colleague Agris, the track cements their dynamic chemistry while giving Agris the distinction of being the sole feature on Galicia’s forthcoming project. — Alan Baez

Juanpalitoschinos member Friné kicked off her solo career last year with the single “Ser eso y más,” and she’s now ready for the spotlight with her debut five-track EP Arcana, which includes the deliciously pop jam “Desde que te perdí.” Second on the tracklist and produced alongside Human Fader and Andrés Kahan, the song effervesces with 80s charm from the very first notes. It’s showered with disco glitter that reflects the elation of breaking free from an oppressive relationship. She’s finally free and excited to be herself, and she doesn’t care what anybody has to say — not even her ex-mother-in-law. — Cheky

La Energía Norteña has proven to be one of the most versatile ensembles in música mexicana, breaking out in 2010 with a signature norteño-sax sound and since swerving through country and even worship music. On their latest LP, El Crossover 3, the band revisits their long-running series of pop classics turned line-dance favorites, reimagining beloved tracks from Plain White T’s, Rascal Flatts, and more.

Among the most notable cuts is “Don’t Wanna Try,” a redux of the Y2K smash from Kumbia Kings alum Frankie J, who joins La Energía Norteña for the song’s bilingual cowboy makeover. Still a tearjerker about irreparable relationships, J’s buttery R&B vocals glide over bouncy norteño instrumentals, while Energy Boys singer Adrián Zamarripa translates the song’s second half into pure sombrerudo melodrama. — Richard Villegas

Yearning for a classic type of love is so back. Grupo Firme and Herencia de Grandes released their newest emotional norteño ballad called “Amor De Antes,” a sign that love still exists in a digital swiping-left era. Led by a traditional accordion, rhythmic percussion, and subtle bass, the bands’ vocalists trade verses about reviving yesteryear’s love with chocolates, love letters, and even serenata. With lyrics like “Qué linda te ves / Esa carita me puso el mundo al revés / Por ti yo dejo todo / Por darte mi cariño treinta días al mes,” the song reiterates the craving for real connection that many people have put aside nowadays. And honestly? It’s about time we go back to yearning! – Jeanette Hernandez

Kapo flips the script on heartbreak with “Playa Fría,” trading the usual post-breakup theatrics for something cooler, looser, and more self-possessed. Over an Afrobeat groove that moves with his signature ease, he captures that specific moment when you stop romanticizing what ended and start paying attention to what’s next. It’s less a song about getting over someone than about getting back to yourself, delivered without the overstatement that often comes with breakup anthems.

The visual follows suit, dropping Kapo into a surreal world of sprawling mansions, vintage cars, towering staircases, and characters pulled from fashion editorials. Its analog texture and retro-luxury styling give the video a cinematic edge, but the mood never feels stuck in nostalgia. Instead, “Playa Fría” lands with fresh-start energy, leaving the past where it belongs and moving forward with a little more freedom. – Natasha Melina Argudo

Chilean rapper/singer/reggaetonera Katteyes drips with attitude on her new single, and we’re definitely here for it. “NENA BAD BITCH” sits somewhere between 2010s neo-perreo vibes and a mainstream sound not far from something you’d find on any Karol G record. It’s a sharp mix of pop sensitivity, the right amount of nostalgia, and a jolt of freshness. With a contagious dembow and lyrics about confidence and fearlessness, “NENA BAD BITCH” is a new anthem celebrating assertive women with a bite. — Marcos Hassan

Brazilian artist Vanessa Lopes is carving out a new path in music with “Emocionado,” her latest single alongside Amabbi, a track that feels increasingly connected to the personality she wants to bring beyond her already well-established career as a digital influencer and TikToker. Following her debut with “Sequência,” the song explores attraction, confidence, romance, and individuality, turning the stereotype of the overly “emotional” partner on its head while emphasizing the importance of staying true to yourself in a relationship. Co-written and recorded through a natural creative exchange between the two artists, “Emocionado” also expands Vanessa’s musical universe with an imaginative visual identity inspired by nature, transformation, mysticism, and Y2K references. Produced by Los Brasileros, the track highlights Vanessa’s willingness to experiment vocally and, more importantly, suggests a singer gradually finding a sound and aesthetic that reflect who she is, rather than simply extending an identity others already know. — Júlia Henn

Perhaps the only thing sharper than her makeup—or her choreography—is the vision Mexican powerhouse EMJAY brings to “Xtraparticular,” a standout from her latest album, POP PESADO. She bluntly captures the idea that pop can be intense and loud, especially when you tear down every barrier, as she does here. Bursting open with percussion reminiscent of a cheering squad, the track sets the stage for a story of gossip and envy. EMJAY delivers cheeky verses in a rush of memorable hooks and melodies—an energetic ride that reflects her range, humor, and growth. Having shared stages with some of the biggest names in the industry, whether opening for them or collaborating, and backed by a vibrant community, the goal is clear: she’s ready to dance, sing, and mosh her way to the (imminent) top. – La Morra Lisa