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 La Guru, Letón Pé, and Los Esquivel. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
La Guru - "Bareto y Chanel"
Colombian singer-songwriter La Guru is out with her first musical release of the year with the restorative “Bareto y Chanel.” The track sees her reflecting on a taxing relationship and dealing with its aftermath while unable to move on from the experience. The mesmerizingly airy instrumental produced by Jab meshes trumpets, guitar, Latine percussion, and a contemporary beat for the bridge. “Bareto y Chanel” is even produced at the frequencies best used for healing — 432 and 512 Hz — leaving listeners relaxed and refreshed. The contradiction of the song’s substance and sound echoes the back-and-forth La Guru felt in this situation: “Peleamos, no gritamos/Pero siempre lo arreglamos.” Complete with a Karol G co-sign, La Guru is creating a musically fresh and positive energy. — Chelsea Quezada
Letón Pé - “¿Cuándo Se Va’ir El Calor?”
A new contender for Song of the Summer has entered the chat courtesy of a sweat-drenched Letón Pé. The multitalented Dominican artist just dropped her new single “¿Cuándo Se Va’ir El Calor?,” a spicy blend of dembow and piano house she named “demvogue” where she evaluates the pros and cons of the summer heat in a sultry, provocative way. In its music video, she refreshes herself with a good ol’ manguerazo, perfectly conveying how high temperatures affect a thick girl like herself. — Cheky
Los Esquivel - “Electromorbo (feat. Dani Flow & Uzielito Mix)”
Electro-corridos enthusiasts Los Esquivel released their newest collaboration “Electromorbo” with reggaeton mexa stars Dani Flow and Uzielito Mix. In pure Los Esquivel fashion, the duo flaunts their alucín luxury lives full of champagne and baddies throughout their high-pitched verses. The earworm electronic beat features house elements with synths and sparse gunshot sound itching and ready to hit the club scene. From comedic TikTok sketches to collaborating with reggaeton’s new wave of artists, Los Esquivel are truly hitting the ground running with this musical opportunity to expand their audience. – Jeanette Hernandez
Adrián Chaparro - "Otra Vez (feat. Nivel Tr3s)"
Tucson, Arizona-based singer Adrián Chaparro made waves in the música mexicana world back in 2021 alongside Grupo Firme with their wildly popular hit “Enfocada.” After collaborations with other big names within the genre like Edgardo Nuñez and releasing a few loosie singles this past year, the regional artist is back with “Otra Vez,” a preview from his forthcoming album Mientras me espera. On “Otra Vez,” Chaparro makes sure that the flower is ablaze and that the party keeps going into the early hours of the morning as he belts out verse after verse about seizing what’s rightfully his, or in his own words, “La vida solo se vive una vez y que truenen las ligas/que traigo una paca y ganas de gastar me la esta noche.” – Nayeli Portillo
Los Bitchos - “Kiki, You Complete Me”
This fun-loving instrumental quartet is no stranger to exhilarating music. However, their newest single considerably ups the ante. “Kiki, You Complete Me” could well be the soundtrack to a video game, thanks to the excitement they demonstrate through their playing. The song features lively guitars and an underlying Caribbean rhythm, giving us guitar solos and multiple sections that put the pedal to the metal. The video shows the members of Los Bitchos as characters in a racing arcade game and the graphics are just spectacular, making it the perfect companion to this breezy-yet-rocking listen. — Marcos Hassan
Natalie Canosa - “Trinitarias”
Last September, Natalie Canosa impressed with her debut single “Saoco,” which faithfully channeled Puerto Rican folk and bomba stylings into a righteous song of reclaiming her agency. This week, she returns with “Trinitarias,” a new track that harkens to the boleros of old. Canosa eschews a chorus, opting for lyrics that read more like the fiery poem of a resurgent soul. Her melodious voice underlines the impassioned urgency of the words she sings, and the UnfoldMe-directed music video transmits a dreamlike collage of visuals that paint her emotions with color, light, and motion. Authenticity, like the kind Canosa brings, is a dime a dozen these days, but it always arrives like a breath of fresh air. — Juan J. Arroyo
La Pambelé - “Perdí Mi Corazón”
Ebullient salsa brava orchestra La Pambelé has been setting the Bogotá night ablaze since the release of their excellent 2022 self-titled debut. Melding old-school salsa traditions with hip inner-city storytelling, the ensemble teamed up for a live session with Colombian streetwear brand Cloud earlier this year, also teasing smokey new cuts off their next full-length. The latest percussive nugget is “Perdí Mi Corazón,” featuring powerhouse vocals from Lorena Contento as she bemoans the missed phone calls and broken embraces that robbed her of a love that once pounded deep within her chest. The song is melodramatic sabrosura at its finest, and the despondent piano keys that close out the track will bring a tear to your eye as you wipe the sweat from your brow. – Richard Villegas
LA LOM - Perform "San Fernando Rose”
The second single of their debut album out this fall, LA LOM delivers “San Fernando Rose.” The band pays homage to the diverse sounds crafted and championed by Los Angeles, as its nostalgia-fueled instrumentalization plays reminiscent of summer radio airwaves that broadcast through famed car cruises down Laurel Canyon in the San Fernando Valley. From classic ‘60s ballads to ‘90s love songs, the members tap into their music tapestry growing up. Utilizing sound to evoke the emotive over lyricism, they’ve created a multi-layered, sensory experience through their classic twang guitars, staccato percussions, and a laid-back, lo-fi demeanor that coalesce into the perfect summer night soundtrack. – Jeanette Diaz
Venesti - “Fanática Del Reggaetón”
Off the heels of a recent collaboration with Goyo and Slow Mike, rising star Venesti’s newest single is dedicated to all the independent women. “Fanática Del Reggaetón” is an uplifting afrobeats, reggaeton, and dancehall blend, featuring some direct inspiration from Venesti himself. “I wanted to create something that not only sounds good but also empowers women, showing that they don’t need anyone to enjoy life and achieve their goals,” said the Colombian artist in a statement about the track. That sentiment is shown in the music video, directed by Janki Martinez, following a recently single woman as she enjoys her freedom with her girls and a packed rooftop party. — Chelsea Quezada
O Nó - “Uma Nova Pessoa”
Following the 2020 debut album Requícios Cromáticos, São Paulo-based quartet O Nó is coming back with a new full-length titled Era Normal, which includes “Uma Nova Pessoa,” the latest single. Here, the band satirizes the capitalist promise of becoming a new person who adheres to corporate values and numbers-oriented goals, and they do so to the beat of laid-back sophisti-pop-inspired indie rock jam full of little instrumental twists and turns, ultimately creating a delicious listen. — Cheky
Allison - “Frágil (Acústico)”
Mexican powerpop band Allison is back with a reinvention of one of their most popular hits. On “Frágil (Acústico),” the rock quartet features symphonic strings to accompany a slowed-down acoustic version of the 2006 pop-punk classic that made them one of Mexico’s top millennial acts in their heyday. The additional orchestral tinge is an exciting sonic refresher after almost two decades since the original – especially since the band hasn’t released a new album since 2016. – Jeanette Hernandez
Yöels - “En Casa”
Indie rock solo artist Julio Gudiño, aka Yöels, brings us the ultimate introverted homebody anthem with a luminous new single. “En Casa” is for those who opt out of making their rounds at bustling bars on the weekends and instead seek the perfect peace that comes with quiet introspection and staying in for the night. Gudiño’s soft vocals and spidery fingerpicking throughout the song make for a cross between the music of Adrienne Lenker (a noted influence) and a slightly more psych-pop version of Nick Drake, as he picks up where last year’s equally mellow UNO EP left off. – Nayeli Portillo
Rabbit - “Impostor Syndrome”
Even though rock music is allegedly in a slump at the moment, songs like “Impostor Syndrome” prove that it still has the power to strike the right balance between exciting and dangerous. This Bay Area outfit brings the noise via a creepy yet rocking track about feeling like you’re not adequate at all at anything ever. It features a fractured beat that crawls below spoken-like verses, leading to explosions of noise that bring chaotic-yet-headbangeable riffs to uplift their heavy psych sound into serious catharsis. With this “Impostor Syndrome,” Rabbit proves it has what it takes to become a reference in contemporary rock. — Marcos Hassan
Dogos - "Órbitas, Estrellas y Amantes Fugaces"
Last December, Puerto Rican alternative pop-rock band Dogos put a bow on their year-long promo push for sophomore album Algo X Dentro, which included successful stops in Mexico City. Now they’re revving engines for a new album, due next year, with single “Órbitas, Estrellas y Amantes Fugaces” being first out of the gate. The snappy song and accompanying music video serve as an introduction for old and new fans alike to what Dogos aims to be a shift in their music and creative approach. As they embrace the livelier elements of their sound while never losing the introspective lyricism that has made them fan favorites, Dogos is laying the groundwork for a third act that will put them on the map. — Juan J. Arroyo
Dawer X Damper, Bebo Dumont - “Dos De Azúcar”
Following their Afro-futuristic 2022 album Donde Machi, Colombian brothers Dawer X Damper have been on an ascendent trajectory, linking up with increasingly buzzy collaborators, including Rap Bang Club, Akapellah, and Lil Keren. Now they’ve enlisted Cultura Profética frontman Bebo Dumont for the afrobeats serenade of “Dos De Azúcar,” cobbling a sweet, sultry metaphor for a love so strong it can get you moving like morning coffee. – Richard Villegas
The Linda Lindas - “All In My Head”
The Linda Lindas are back with a new album announcement and their first lead single, “All In My Head.” It’s been two years since their debut album Growing Up, and it seems we’re getting a glimpse of what happens once we do. A matured growth of their LA punk, garage, and poppier new wave sound, the track explores newer indie tendencies. Revolving around the all-too-well-known act of getting stuck in our own minds, the track wanders around self-isolation tendencies that can be induced by overthinking. Lucia de la Garza shares, “It felt like a break from reality, which we don’t usually find ourselves writing about.” Fitting for current times, sometimes a break from reality is needed to cope, but as the single shows, loneliness is not always a fun experience. At least we have this track and our friends to help pull us out of it and dance our way out of a funk whenever it may, and will, creep up. – Jeanette Diaz