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 Alé Araya, Keysokeys, and Estevie. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Alé Araya - “Sola Con La Luna”
Los Angeles-based 23-year-old Chilean-American artist Alé Araya just shared “Sola Con La Luna,” a new single created alongside producer Mirelle Cabangbang and singer/songwriter Mechi Pieretti. This stunning song is a contemplative blend of downtempo and jazz in 5/4 that sets the tone for the journey of self-reflection Araya takes us on. Rather than lonely, she feels empowered in solitude, a space where she can find strength and comfort away from the world and its chaos. – Cheky
Keysokeys - “Navegando”
As one of Puerto Rico’s most underrated indie rappers (in general, no quantifiers), Keysokeys knows fully well how she has to hustle triple to keep her foot in the door, especially when she refuses to sell herself out to mainstream duress. With her new single, “Navegando,” she releases one of her most personal songs to date, reflecting on her journey to this point. Briefly shedding her signature makeup — which might as well be war paint — and trap stylings, Keys shows us at her most vulnerable yet, with unconventional production courtesy of Søul giving her an enchanting beat over which to bare herself as an artist who’s going with the flow, unsure if for better or for worse. — Juan J. Arroyo
Estevie - “la manera que me ves”
Those who’ve been waiting patiently for the resurgence of tribal guarachero, look no further because Estevie’s got you covered. It’s been a monumental 2024 for the singer, who recently wrapped up a tour with “La Diabla” singer Xavi and graced the stage with norteño hitmaker Christian Nodal at this year’s SXSW, and she’s maintaining that momentum by diving into new sonic territory. On the EDM-bedecked “la manera que me ves,” the cumbia-pop songstress fans the flames of a feverish love spell over cascading synths and a rapturous beat, and the end result is a ballad that is just as tender as it is sensual. – Nayeli Portillo
Francisca Valenzuela - "Juan"
Chilean pop star Francisca Valenzuela brings us new visuals for “Juan,” a gut-wrenching single off of her latest album Adentro. Wrapped in the tribulations of lovesick desire, she narrates pleas of passion and tangible desperation of trying to overcome a recent fling she just can’t get off her mind. Longing for their physical company and requests of wanting to be remembered and even of being lied too if it means staying oblivious to the fact they’re not yours, are tied up in a funky bass-driven, incredibly catchy tune. The visuals manifest this sentiment as she gathers an arsenal of Juanes, to showcase that Juans come in all forms and sizes, but they often carry the same story in our lives. Valenzuela is just giving us a melodic reason to dance to it. – Jeanette Diaz
Sofía Reyes feat. Danny Lux - “El 100”
Sofía Reyes is itching for a new era. The Mexican singer-songwriter’s newest collaboration “El 100” with música mexicana crooner DannyLux channels elements of acoustic guitars on top of an infectious electronic house and pop beat. Featuring both of the singers’ soft and alluring voices, the song narrates a story of a situationship that’s inevitably becoming something more. With a fresh look and style, Reyes is ready to embrace a new, enticing – and, hopefully, experimental – chapter of her ongoing musical trajectory. – Jeanette Hernandez
La Sombra - "Walrider"
From the first guitar note, it’s apparent that La Sombra prays in the church of Black Sabbath. These Bay Area rockers display their smoke-inspired riffs with great enthusiasm on “Walrider,” perhaps their headbangest moments on record so far. Giving us a massive boogie-blues groove as if performed by mythical giants, the song features thick sounding guitars, busy drumming, and a huge bottom end provided by the hip-shaking bass. Another plus is that you can sing along to it, proving that you can be a guitar freak into massive riffs and still get everyone chanting along with you. — Marcos Hassan
Masoniería - “Quiero Ser Tu Novia”
If you’re already missing the glittery camp of Eurovision, worry not, for the thumping cheek of Pride season is just around the corner. Enter Spanish singer Sònia Montoya, aka Masoniería, whose new single “Quiero Ser Tu Novia” crackles with uproarious longing as she serenades XIX Century French novelist Aurore Dupin to the tune of thumping Hi-NRG. Featuring strobing production from Hidrogenesse and a wild music video of augmented reality globetrotting, the song is poised to become a favorite of artsy dance parties and popper-scented back rooms. – Richard Villegas
Zona En Reclamación - “Las Fuentes de Neón”
Juan Luis Guerra and the late Víctor Víctor would be proud of the brand of bachata that Zona En Reclamación explore on their new song “Las Fuentes de Neón.” Heberto Áñez Novoa, Ulises Hadjis, and Cynthia Blanco continue their quest to fill us with nostalgia using Latin American music as their vehicle, and now take a shot at the Dominican genre. Romance is at the heart of the song, and it’s done with such whimsy and veiled innocence that it makes us blush with the warm thought of new love. – Cheky
LULÚ - “Bésame”
Mexican singer-songwriter LULÚ is taking the reins on the moody, 2000s-inspired “Bésame.” This throwback pop sound comes naturally to her, giving listeners a hook that’ll inevitably sneak into their head, plus a scandalous post-chorus breathy riff. As she sings about venturing into the physical connection, LULÚ keeps her cool while effortlessly controlling the demanding vocal runs and high notes. The self-written song is a taste of the new sensual pop girl era she’s in, and all will be revealed when her debut album Fantazia is released this summer. — Chelsea Quezada
Quelle Rox - “dance on tables”
Quelle Rox’s new single, “dance on tables,” transports listeners into the mind of someone lost in the haze of heartbreak, disillusionment, and trying to smother her feelings with too long nights out. Rox — who is Puerto Rican and Cuban — has been sharing her brand of indie Spanglish dreampop for years now, and fans of prior hits like “Cosmic Gloom” will warm up quickly to her current sound. Her voice wafts over the intoxicating production; a broth of synth drums, bass, and dreamy piano notes. The swath of Latine acts in the subgenre has been expanding as of late, and Rox’s voice is another welcome addition that’s sure to attract fans quickly. — Juan J. Arroyo
Naomi Aguilera - “EGO”
“Are you thinking of me when she’s in your arms?” Belgo-Spanish artist Naomi Aguilera croons in the opening of her latest single “EGO.” It’s not so much a question, though. It’s a given that her former love hasn’t quite moved on despite the distance, as she follows up with an immediate, matter-of-fact “I don’t think about you anymore when he holds me like this.” Gliding over a dayglo-bright soul-funk groove, Aguilera dances the discontent away while doling out earnest hooks in this earworm single that grapples with what she describes as a universal but “difficult to accept” feeling. – Nayeli Portillo
Ysrael Barajas, Abraham Vazquez - “Chico Problema”
Coming out of Tijuana, Mexico, rising act and viral sensation Ysrael Barajas returns with his latest single drop “Chico Problema.” For the corrido track, he enlists the collaborative help of Chihuahua’s Abraham Vazquez to help bring the coming of age narrative to life. Between the songs ebullient string and horn rhythms, it blazes through a storyline that traces the trajectory of “a bad boy” in the making, the duo croon through the contrasts of early, more humble beginnings against their more luxurious tastes and lifestyles they’ve come to experience now sitting at a matured age. – Jeanette Diaz
Mariposa - “Schizo”
Colombian-Italian rapper Mariposa is back with a distorted, avant-garde trap track called “Schizo,” produced by Luca Santamaria. In this new single, she raps about her personal experience dealing with mental health taboos backed by bass-heavy production featuring uneasy sounds that complement her lyrics’ angry sentiments. “Anger has consistently been a readily accessible emotion for me,” she said about the track. “While I’m actively working on this, the song serves as a translation of that anger.” “Schizo” is part of her upcoming EP Inframundo, which will be released on July 12. – Jeanette Hernandez
Valebol - “Breakup Sushi”
Daniel Villarreal and Vivian McConnell continue their “express pop” adventure as Valebol with a whimsical-yet-layered track. “Breakup Sushi” is a dreamy, easy going song that hides a heartbreaking story that weaves elements of the mundane with something deeper and hurtful, Vivian McConnell wrote the song after witnessing an actual messy breakup at a Japanese restaurant. By basically telling it like a straight story, it exposes the sentiment of the song as sad yet also humorous. Add a music video where a whole sushi place goes through breakups, and you have a playful and melancholic banger in your hands. — Marcos Hassan
Kevtopo, Laya Kalima, Andres Melz - “Qué Te Pasa?”
Earlier this month, we got the first taste of an ambitious new project called La Plebe, the result of a three-day camp that brought together Puerto Rican artists and producers including Seba Otero, STZ Poetic, and Skeptic to showcase a new generation of Boricua trap and perreo. Among the album’s many highlights, “Qué Te Pasa?” stands out as the collective’s most pop-friendly effort, unfolding over a driving house beat and shimmering arpeggios. Dueling bars from Kevtopo and Andres Melz reach for silken crooner heights, while Laya Kalima’s gauzy vocals stand in the eye of this flexeo storm, making for a delicious new entry into the seduction banger playbook. – Richard Villegas
Yelena - “La Rosa”
Cuban-Dominican vocalist Yelena likens herself to a beautiful rose on her newest song, after a past lover fumbles their relationship. “La Rosa” opens with a plea for a second chance as a cumbia-inspired brass section blares. The instrumental morphs into an uptempo bachata blend, as Yelena swears she deserves better: “¡Ya me voy amor, ya no puedo más!” With a promise as serious as that, you know there’s no going back. The Boston-based artist’s rich voice has a cadence that takes after songstresses of the 90s, plus the skill to feel it down to the bone. — Chelsea Quezada