This is our weekly compilation of bite-sized reviews of newly released songs by our talented music writers. Discover new favorites, read nuanced criticism of the week’s hottest releases, and much more. Who knows, you might walk out of this with a new fave or two. Some of the featured artists include El Jordan 23, Nohemy, and Legado 7 with Kane Rodriguez. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
El Jordan 23 - “Secuestrarte”
Chilean el movimiento artist El Jordan 23 released his risqué banger “Secuestrate” as part of his new album, Palabreo del Futuro. With this new explosive single, El Jordan 23 lays his diverse and distinctive flow that ranges from high-pitched vocals to a grungy, deep flow. Produced by Nes, the record serves melodic keys accompanied by a reggaeton beat. What makes the track different is that the beat also features the rapper’s echoed vocals in the soundscape, adding a particular melancholic vibe to it. Towards the end, the reggaeton beat is wrapped up with a thick synth line that gives the tune a perfect outro. – Jeanette Hernandez
Nohemy - “VELOCIDAD”
Nohemy has long been a Jane-of-all-trades, going from actress to singer-songwriter, but now she adds athlete to the list as well. Her newest single, “VELOCIDAD,” is inspired by her love of basketball and sports, and she shows off her deft handles in the accompanying music video. Over a house-infused beat, courtesy of producer The Crvv, Nohemy sings about thrusting yourself at full speed into everything the universe throws at you. With lyrics that can be applied to relationships, career, or life in general, she preaches playing offense as the best way to move forward. “No le vamo’a bajar” is her anthem, and she shares it with everyone who might feel inspired to follow her vibe. — Juan J. Arroyo
Legado 7 - “On D Gas (feat. Kane Rodriguez)”
Southern California natives Legado 7 are back with another corrido filled with motivational themes. “On D Gas,” featuring rising artist Kane Rodriguez, comes from their upcoming 15-track, live corrido album, appropriately titled PA QUE SE MOTIVEN. On this track, the norteño group sings about the pride and care they have for their ride. The rich corrido instrumental is the crown jewel of the track, with that added depth from accordion player Ramón Ruiz. — Chelsea Quezada
Diego Raposo, Cohoba - “El Tiempo no Existe”
Just days after unveiling a record of panty-dropping jams with Cibaeño crooner Jonás, the prolific Dominican producer Diego Raposo is back with another dazzling EP called El Tiempo No Existe. This time, he’s linked up with influential ambient and hip-hop producer Cohoba, one of the cornerstones of beloved rap trio Whitest Taino Alive. The new EP throws drum&bass, techno, and ambient into a blender, and cuts like the title track manage to rattle your soul while also encouraging introspection. The result is an immersive exercise in studying and appreciating the peace that lives in the eye of a storm. — Richard Villegas
Rusowsky, Latin Mafia - “neo roneo"
Following the release of March’s sad-perreo slow burn “electric bby,” Spanish DJ, producer, and Rusia-IDK collective member Rusowsky reemerges beside alt-pop reggaeton brother trio Latin Mafia for his latest track “neo roneo.” Over the last couple of years, the Madrid-based artist has flaunted his knack for weaving together ambient art rock atmospherics and icy synthlines with dizzying dembow rhythms and breakneck-speed club beats with singles like “mwah :3” and “pikito.” But Rusowsky’s latest work shows off his sentimental side as he splices traditional sounds of flamenco with spotless falsetto-heavy hooks. – Nayeli Portillo
Molina - “Organs (feat. ML Buch)”
Danish-Chilean multi-instrumentalist Molina has proven to have a special talent for reconfiguring sounds to her will, and her new single features a collaboration that helps her in this aspect of her sound. Featuring big synthetic chords and almost whispered vocals, “Organs” feels like a new reconfiguration shoegaze could be molded into a brand new sound. Thanks to Molina’s arrangements and ML Buch’s vocals, the song feels intimate while managing to be ethereal and direct at the same time. The result is an abstract song that’s full of atmosphere with vocal hooks that listeners can latch to immediately after listening to it for the first time. — Marcos Hassan
duendita - “born with power”
Free-flowing Candace Camacho-led project duendita just announced their forthcoming eight-track EP the mind is a miracle, dropping next month, and shared “born with power” as its latest preview. With a bouncy conversation between bass and piano serving as a through line, this playful jazz-splashed jam brings whimsy and levity to a strong message of self-affirmation, as Camacho uses her warm voice to remind us of our innate power and our capability to use for community building and uplifting. – Cheky
La Doña - "El Regreso"
Chicana powerhouse La Doña is back with “El Regreso” off her upcoming debut album Los Altos de la Soledad. The sentimental track features a vibrant orchestra with stunning violins, rich percussions, and a sensual melody, opening the way for La Doña’s soulful croons. The track keeps you on your toes as it adds a distinctive flute towards the end, giving the tune a special touch as she narrates a story about her Guatemalan student who can never return to his home country where his grandfather lives. Los Altos de la Soledad is set to span genres like boleros, corridos, cumbia, and more. – Jeanette Hernandez
Boridelia - “Time”
Fittingly considering its title, “Time” is a track that has been long in the works, being workshopped since at least 2021. This week, Puerto Rican group Boridelia finally released it, and it’s an apt introduction to the sound they’ve been cultivating on and offstage for the past few years. Touting themselves as a multisensory fusion of music, art, and nature, the song takes listeners on a journey that does justice to that description. Its lyrics, as sung hauntingly by Jeysell Merced, ruminate on the spiritual challenge of maximizing your time on this world, all while the music builds from a slow instrumental to a riotous stadium rock climax. — Juan J. Arroyo
2AT - “EL Chamber”
South America is home to the most malcriado electronic music being produced on the globe today. Colombian meme lord 2AT is currently at the forefront of the polemically called “Latin Core” movement, which melds techno, guaracha, and pop culture deep cuts into irreverent club bangers. Ahead of his solo debut KREMAYERA, out in September, the producer has unveiled “El Chamber,” a pummeling new track tapping into the iconic chord progression from Shigeo Sekito’s “The World II” and Mac DeMarco’s “Chamber of Reflection.” Though he twists the dulcet melody into a perverted nostalgia device, his unexpectedly heartfelt bars narrate the magic of desolate souls finding each other on the dance floor. — Richard Villegas
Hunters of the Alps - “Naufragio”
“Nada es para siempre,” sings Peruvian-American frontman Mario Giancarlo of Hunters of the Alps on their new single “Naufragio.” The lyric takes on a whole new meaning in the context of the track’s inspiration: Giancarlo’s mother’s journey into Alzheimer’s disease. As emotional as the topic is, “Naufragio” is a gentle reprieve from a heartbreaking reality. The synth-laden, new wave sound feels nostalgic, especially in combination with the VHS tape family memory montage music video. “Your world suddenly becomes a folder of collections and moments as you try to hold on to the memories that make up your relationship with a loved one,” said Giancarlo in a statement about creating the song. “Naufragio” will be featured on Hunters of the Alps’ EP Roma, out in October. — Chelsea Quezada
Las Palabras - “La Misma Luna (feat. Angélica García)”
You may recognize musician Rafael Cohen from the dance-punk outfit !!! (aka Chk Chk Chk), but for the past four years, he’s also released music as a solo artist under the moniker Las Palabras. Taking inspiration from legendary acts like Jorge Ben, Cohen leans into more mellow guitar-driven melodies on releases like 2020’s Las Palabras. However, on “La Misma Luna,” Cohen conjures up an even dreamier landscape heavy with bachata overtones, as singer-songwriter Angélica García joins him in this ode where two lovers yearn for one another under the same moon. – Nayeli Portillo
Tall Juan - “Talking To Myself (ft. Mac DeMarco)”
Often, trying to describe things that terrify us can be difficult. So, naturally, you ask slack rock extraordinaire Mac Demarco for help. On “Talking To Myself,” singer-songwriter Tall Juan explores the idea of feeling trapped in your own thoughts to the point of not being able to move. Both Juan and Mac exude easy-going charisma, aided by jazzy guitar chords and languid vocals. However, there’s an unnerving aspect of the track, amplified by the video, which features the appearance of a Night Hag attacking Tall Juan, giving us a personification of sleep paralysis that will chill you to the bone. — Marcos Hassan
Henao - “Element”
Houston’s Henao advances the second single from Tu Fatale, her upcoming EP, and it’s a slick slice of future bass-infected R&B in under two minutes. The Colombian-American artist grabs inspiration from the cult sci-fi staple The Fifth Element to bring us into a futuristic world of her creation where synthetic sounds and sultry melodies clash as the steam rises with her sultry lyrics in Spanglish about desire and intense passion. – Cheky