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 RaiNao, Liniker, and Meridian Brothers. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
RaiNao - “hiato”
Alt-perreo singer and songwriter RaiNao has been consistently carving out her own path as an artist for the past four years by adding jazzy saxophone solos and bubbly synths to the steamiest of her dembow-infused earworms. On “hiato,” the latest from her debut album Capicú, she splices up a rubbery, blaring trap-like beat with pop-punk guitars and bursts of energetic tempos beside alt-rockers La Secta Allstar. The storyline behind “hiato” continues where last summer’s “Tentretiene” left off as RaiNoa gets stuck in a loop scrolling through videos of what she describes as her “amor y desdicha,” as she aspires for an emotional reset and balance. – Nayeli Portillo
Liniker - “Tudo”
After being the first trans-recipient of a Latin Grammy and taking a moment to embrace an acting career in the Prime Video series Manhãs de Setembro, Liniker is ready to ignite a new era in her trailblazing music career. Sharing “Tudo,” the first alluring single from upcoming album Caju, out in the fall, the soul-infused MPB pop track ties together the euphoric sensation of being in love with captivatingly impassioned vocals, hints of traditional samba-inspired guitar rhythms, and an overlay of modernized R&B inspired beats. Like the adored singer, who was recently named as an Immortal by the Brazilian Academy of Culture, Liniker’s music is inimitable, transfixing, and a beguiling invitation into an intimate and sunkissed world. – Jeanette Diaz
Meridian Brothers - “Sé Que Estoy Cambiando”
The title “Sé Que Estoy Cambiando” might imply something is changing within this Colombian band, and it does, in an unexpected yet enjoyable way. On this track, Los Meridian mix their experimental and rhythmic sound with Afropop styles like soukous and highlife, resulting in a very special track that manages to underline the sonic similarities between Africa and the Caribbean with a reassuring beat, even if the lyrics might express confusion. As far as the band is concerned, Meridian Brothers is not changing but evolving into a band that’s hard to categorize yet remains easy to love. — Marcos Hassan
Nath, Fariana- "Cañonazo”
“Cañonazo” is the free-flowing reggaeton link-up between Colombian artists Nath and Fariana, off of the former’s new album, out today. Hitting back at all the naysayers who don’t believe in and criticize the rising artist’s career, they both take a commanding stance lyrically and vocally. In “Cañonazo,” Nath reveals that they almost reached a breaking point, but now they live like there’s no tomorrow. Ticking this dream collaboration off their list of career goals and having a song go viral on TikTok are just a couple of successes of the many likely coming their way. — Chelsea Quezada
Judeline - “INRI”
Fast-rising Spanish-Venezuelan artist Judeline follows the success of her single “mangata” with “INRI,” the latest preview from her upcoming debut album on Interscope Records. Inspired by Andalusian folklore and the Moroccan music she was able to pick up from the radio growing up in Southern Spain, plus some added afrobeats spice on the beat, “INRI” subverts Catholic imagery on both the song lyrics and its stunning accompanying music video, as an Autotune-drenched Judeline contemplates spirituality in her ways to love. – Cheky
Sila Lua - “HACER TEATRO”
After releasing “BRASIL” and “EQUILIBRIO,” the Galician-born artist Sila Lua released “HACER TEATRO.” The new track oozes experimental electronic elements with booming dembow and a heavy, looming bass with alluring lyrics questioning whether to make a scene or not. The two-minute-long song’s video features the artist fiercely dancing as she contemplates the lyrics “hacer teatro o no ser nada [do theater or do nothing],” keeping the audience on their toes to see what’s next. Overall, “HACER TEATRO” adds another gem to her upcoming LP that’s already highly anticipated. – Jeanette Hernandez
Drú - “Vidas Pasadas”
Three years ago, when the alt-R&B scene in Puerto Rico was still in its nascent stages, propelled by then-indie artists like RaiNao and others, Drú was quietly releasing his own contributions. Nowadays, he’s become an underrated fan favorite, with tracks like “Sassy” and “Si Fuera por Mí” demonstrating his tact and talent at threading earnest emotion with eminently grindable tunes. His newest single, “Vidas Pasadas,” perfectly encapsulates the vibes he offers listeners. It’s a slow-dance perreo, and Drú’s voice imbues it with a touch of melancholy and yearning that’s sexy instead of heart-rending. As a self-made producer, songwriter, and vocalist, he’s poised to break out and become a centerpiece of one of the more exciting scenes on the island. — Juan J. Arroyo
Perdido, Lucca Simões - “Instagram”
Music has given the world some of its biggest philosophical quandaries: “Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy?” “Are we human, or are we dancer?” Now, Brazil’s Perdido adds his own entry to the quizzical canon with a new song titled “Instagram,” asking, “Quem vai cuidar do meu Instagram quando eu morrer?,” which ponders who might watch and update his social media after he’s passed away. Facetious as it sounds, the profound meditation considers how many of us exist more as online avatars than as people in the world — whether it be for work or just a curated persona broadcast to followers. Sweet vocal harmonies and warped guitar grooves from Lucca Simões give the song a dreamlike atmosphere, which only serves to enhance our existential unease. – Richard Villegas
Jasiel Nuñez - “Made in Paris”
Rising música mexicana singer and frequent Peso Pluma collaborator Jasiel Nuñez is back with a preview of his forthcoming album and latest single, “Made in Paris.” Set to a brazen bass line and swells of equally hearty guitars, the artist sings about going even further than he could’ve ever imagined with his newfound fame. The track is a lively rags-to-riches corrido filled with treacherous turns as Nuñez talks about being determined to come out on top, sporting custom threads marked “MADE IN PARIS.” – Nayeli Portillo
Rubio - “Calla (Montoya Remix)"
Chilean force Rubio shares a new visualizer for single “Calla (Montoya Remix),” the focus track off her most recent remix album Venus & Blue – RMX. Sonically, it features a tropical-inspired rework by the collaborating artist, flipping the overall tonal mood of the original song from a more dark-hued, emotional play to a more vibrant and colorful dance number. Directed by Juan David Figueroa, the freshly released visualizer reverts the song back to its more emotive, original mood board. It pulls the world back into a black and white palette inter-spliced with blurred, dizzying and disorienting sensorial effects that toy with the lyrics’ core ideas of the often tumultuous emotional journey separating from someone who is no longer a part of your world. – Jeanette Diaz
Asimov - “Verbena”
Latin America has been a hotbed for shoegaze since the genre’s inception, and now, Guatemala is bringing us a band that’s worthy of this beautiful tradition. “Verbena” displays all the elements that make shoegaze such an immersive sound to get lost in – swirling guitars, whispered vocals as if sung by nymphs in the forest, and oceans of reverb to drift to. Asimov brings its own taste to the game by injecting the song with amazing guitar work throughout it, bringing in a sense of dynamics mostly absent from this style. With “Verbena,” Asimov is making their mark and quickly becoming a band to watch. — Marcos Hassan
La Zorra Zapata - “Lluvia y Nieve”
Following up on the February single “El Invento,” La Zorra Zapata is out with a tribute to “Lluvia con Nieve,” originally by Mon Rivera. The 1961 salsa ditty is reimagined into the jazzier, contemporary rendition by her. Characterizing it as “melancholic sad salsa,” there is a hint of warmth carried over from the original. Nuria Zapata’s delicately soft voice carries the renewed emotional depth with the addition of vocals from Mauro Samaniego. The ambient track is an ideal companion for a gloomy summer day. — Chelsea Quezada
La MiO - “Umazacote”
From La MiO’s freshly released album Con To’ Los PoWeRs, an explosive feminist journey through genres, from hip-hop to cumbia to bomba and beyond, comes “Umazacote,” a reggaeton banger to make dancefloors quake. Kicking things off by sampling an instantly recognizable 2001 hip-hop collaboration, La MiO and producer Monokike bring the heat with a pounding beat and her biting lyrics, as she empowers women not even to bother giving worthless men the time of day. – Cheky
Hunters of the Alps - "DRY RUN"
Hunters of the Alps’ “DRY RUN” is the perfect track for your next solo road trip. By incorporating reverb-filled guitars, melancholic synths, and a rhythmic bass to complement his tranquil voice, Hunters of the Alps – born Mario Giancarlo – offers a dreamy and nostalgic track that is part of his upcoming third EP, ROMA. Moreover, with ethereal ‘80s-inspired electronic elements, a psychedelic tinge, and an easy-going melody, the song encourages you to keep going in life regardless of its regretful moments. – Jeanette Hernandez
Rubí - “teléfono ocupado”
After hustling in the background for over two years, 2024 is finally giving Rubí the platform and audience she’s worked so hard to achieve. She’s dropped four tracks since January, and this week she releases her best yet with the new single, “teléfono ocupado.” It’s an alt-pop boast track filtered through a woman’s perspective, with Rubí celebrating having gotten over heartbreak, feeling baddier than ever, and happy to flaunt it. Soon she’ll be heard in Jotaerre’s debut album as well, collaborating on the song “SEKiA.” It all makes for an impressively heady year for her, and with even more to come, she’s ready to take it on. — Juan J. Arroyo
Grito Exclamación, Demencia Infantil - “Despojo”
In case you haven’t heard, Mexico City is the place to be. Not only is the gargantuan metropolis home to some of the freshest music and art scenes on the continent, but it’s also become rife with waves of American and European migrants gentrifying the city into oblivion. This maddening trend gets flayed open on “Despojo,” a chaotic highlight off the self-titled debut album from art-punk quintet Grito Exclamación. Though the track opens with a pounding cocktail of post-punk and ska, its second half melts into noisy drone, with no wave experimentalists Demencia Infantil hopping on to deliver raging spoken word that could haunt even the most aloof of digital nomads. – Richard Villegas