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 Princesa Alba with Akriila, Xavi, and Adriel Favela with Código FN’s Titó Leon. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Princesa Alba, Akriila - “Yas Kween!”
Chilean pop vixen Princesa Alba has unleashed her second full-length LP Como Si Fuese Real, boasting a voracious sonic palette of baile funk, reggaeton, and pop, as well as a dizzying list of collaborators ranging from Brazilian drag phenom Pabllo Vittar to synthpop god and Miranda! co-founder Ale Sergi. One of the project’s high points comes early on the slinky perreo “Yas Kween!,” enlisting Chilean trap star Akriila for a banger about causing a ruckus with your crew of baddies. With beat switch-ups to Y2K-era Pharrell drums, as well as an unexpected flash of merengue, the track is determined to get your hips moving by any means necessary. – Richard Villegas
Xavi - “Una Semana”
The 20-year-old música mexicana artist Xavi has been unstoppable this summer and still shows no signs of slowing down. After delivering a highly-praised set at Chicago’s Sueños Music Festival back in May and announcing the release of his forthcoming debut album, he returns with a fiery new single entitled “Una Semana.” Xavi is as impassioned as ever as he sings about keeping his distance from a toxic ex-lover after seeing through their blatant lies (“Tuve razón cuando dije que sí, que tu no eras para mí, pero yo de pendejo en mi mente buscaba una explicación”) and never looking back. – Nayeli Portillo
Adriel Favela - "VICE CITY feat. Código FN”
“VICE CITY” is rising regional artist Adriel Favela’s newest release, and it’s a sublime corrido moment. The Mexican-American artist reunited with Sinaloan group Código FN for the first time since the release of the 2019 single “Miami Vibe.” In the music video directed by Carlos Curiel and Jared Hinojosa, we see Favela and Código FN frontman Titó Leon at a lavish villa doing what they’re the very best at. This link-up resulted in a pleasantly traditional and intriguing track. — Chelsea Quezada
Gyanma - “Antes que la rola…”
It may have been three years since Gyanma’s last solo release, 2021’s Rompecorazones, but he’s been busy as can be. Not only did he and fellow Puerto Rican indie wunderkind Enyel C form their Duo Deleite twosome, he’s been releasing singles and collaborating with piping-hot artists like RaiNao and Jotaerre. This week, he finally drops Cutie Pie :3, his newest long-in-the-works project that has him indulging in everything from alt-hyperpop to 2000s nostalgia-infused trap, all while never straying far from his cheeky and satyr ways. It’s a return to form for an artist who — as a lyricist, performer, and producer — is as promising as they come. — Juan J. Arroyo
DannyLux, 8ONTHEBEAT - “Soltera”
DannyLux refuses to be put in the Sierreño box, once again turning his focus to the dancefloor to bring us “Soltera,” his new collaboration with 8ONTHEBEAT and first single from his upcoming EDM project DESCXNTRXL. Following the pumping “Decirte Lo Que Siente,” his dance track featuring Michaël Brun and Ariza, “Soltera” is DannyLux in party mode, giving us a sort of jacked-up “Yo Perreo Sola”-lite house banger that centers on a woman enjoying the single life free from the male gaze, as DannyLux, well, gazes in awe. – Cheky
Polo Gonzalez - “X2”
With hard-hitting requinto guitar chords and a potent horn, the Mexican-American artist Polo Gonzalez calls for attention on his new corrido tumbado “X2.” In this new single, Gonzalez – known for his high-pitched flow on top of música mexicana beats – narrates a story about the challenges in his musical come-up. It also serves as a lowkey savage reminder to his haters that he’s the real deal. On top of that, the song’s visual demonstrates the vocalist as Batman’s Joker, which aligns with the song’s lyrics of being a “morro loco.” – Jeanette Hernandez
Foudeqush & Girl Ultra - “MMM”
Foudeqush steps closer to her upcoming EP ANGELA with the release of the second single “MMM.” Tapping in musical bestie Girl Ultra for a collaboration, the dream house duo elevates the song into a sensual, UK electro-garage-driven track charged up with pulsating beats and eclectic dance rhythms. Between heavy bass hits, we get interspersed moments of the duo’s playfully breathy vocals as they seductively lean into the single’s essence of a dark nightclub filled with the aura of haughty seduction and enticing egocentrism that comes with feeling yourself and not being afraid to make it known. – Jeanette Diaz
Vaya Futuro - “Inefable”
Tijuana’s Vaya Futuro was a key band for the return of guitar in Mexican alt music some 10 years ago, and now, they’re proving to remain a vital act in the scene. “Inefable” goes all in into shoegaze atmospherics, approaching the sonic layering of first-generation bands like Slowdive while also expanding into heavy territory. Vocally, the band’s laconic style evokes emotion in a subdued yet cathartic way, riding a slowcore beat for maximum effect. “Inefable” finds Vaya Futuro revisiting the fuzzy guitar sound that helped them make a mark with their debut, Ideas A Medias, while also allowing them to unlock a whole new sound. — Marcos Hassan
Terror/Cactus, Pahua - “Donde Estás Tú”
Seattle-based Argentine producer Terror/Cactus creates immersive sonic realms melding cumbia, electronica, and the eerie magic of the Pacific Northwest’s verdant forests and foggy bays. On his new album Forastero (or Foreigner), out Sept. 20, he ponders migration, isolation, and freedom, melding cascading percussion with gauzy vocals from all-star guests. The lead single “Donde Estás Tú” enlists Mexican pop mystic Pahua, who sings of journeys across dimensions and transformative revelations, stepping stones through life that lead us exactly where we need to go. – Richard Villegas
Gina D’Soto - “Inner Urge”
Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gina D’Soto writes a fusion of jazzy R&B melodies that are sure to resonate with fans of artists like Sabrina Claudio and YEBBA. On her latest track “Inner Urge,” D’Soto’s smoky and soulful vocals balance out a delightfully upbeat and fizzy funk-pop groove. “INNER URGE” is a blissed-out closeup of those first stages with a new love that makes you feel like you’re living in a daydream. – Nayeli Portillo
GeezLy - “U FEEL ME?!”
Today, Bronx-born Puerto Rican rapper GeezLy is sharing the newest track off her upcoming project GeezLy’s World. “U FEEL ME?!” is a very matter-of-fact message to anyone preying on her downfall, and the track title will keep ringing in their ears long after the song is over. The vigorous beat and instrumental meshes Jersey club and New York drill together, and yes, GeezLy’s flow is in two languages. She said what she said in English and Spanish, and she’ll stand on it. — Chelsea Quezada
Acidd feat. Mike Rodz - “Acidd Style Mikejutsu”
Capping off a trilogy that began with amorES agua in 2022 and continued last year with dos con agua, New York-based Puerto Rican producer Acidd releases agua para tres this week. Previous collaborator Mike Rodz returns alongside newcomer Kheipr, as this time around, Acidd fuses the indie rap scene of PR with deep house and dream trance. The eight-track project continues his experiment of creating fusions that bridge Latine alternative sounds with contemporary electronic music perfect for listeners who want music to vibe to or for emerging artists who want to flex their talents over beats that will expand their range. — Juan J. Arroyo
Ale Sater - “Ontem”
Following two previous EPs released under his own name, São Paulo’s Terno Rei frontman Ale Sater continues exploring his solo ambitions as he just announced his Gustavo Schirmer-produced debut album coming out in September. “Ontem” serves as a first preview, and it’s reminiscent of those pop-rock mid-tempo ballads that populated the MTV airwaves in the late ‘90s. An emotional Sater stands in front of the mirror and sees a beat-up version of his older self, but he’s not letting fear hold him back and is ready to dive into whatever the future has in store for him. – Cheky
Tapy Quintero, Jose Esparza - “No Está Fácil”
Banda and norteño singer-songwriter Tapy Quintero tapped in José Esparza for his latest corrido, “No Está Fácil.” The new inspiring collaboration features Quintero – son of Los Tucanes De Tijuana leader and vocalist Mario Quintero – laying verses with Esparza about trusting the process and overcoming life’s challenges. Together, the two artists offer a motivating anthem for those who need an extra push to get through another day. Because — spoiler alert — the hustle is worth it in the end. – Jeanette Hernandez
Andres Levin, Ceci Bastida, Beto Montenegro, Melanie Santiler - "Quien Me Cuida"
Off his latest album release, “Gondwana,” Andres Levin is joined by a star-studded feature lineup of Melanie Santiler, Ceci Bastida, and Rawayana on “Quien Me Cuida.” An exploration of Caribbean, Latine, and African roots, the track is a mystic blend of tropical beats and folkloric instrumentation wrapped around the sentiment of the gratitude-fueled realization of finding yourself cared for by people you love. The eclectic variety of melodies and voices meld together seamlessly to ignite feelings of hope to get through tougher days as a spin instantly transports listeners to sunnier dispositions of feel-good rhythms and moments of interconnectedness. – Jeanette Diaz
Microhm - “Entre Formas”
Leslie García, under her Microhm moniker, has explored many different versions of electronic music, from atmospheric and experimental to dancefloor-oriented. In her new single, “Entre Formas,” she blends sounds in a whole new way. If you take into account every element, perhaps you wouldn’t think “Entre Formas” could be considered a reggaeton-related song. However, the beat bends into a dembow, the bass rattles, and the sonic trickery sounds like it could have come from Luny Tunes’s cracked software. That being said, García’s sensibilities shine through, giving the track a digital sheen and machine-like precision that defies categorization. Here, Microhm might have created a new genre with this track. — Marcos Hassan