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 Rubby, La Joaqui with Ovy On The Drums, and Greeicy. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Rubby - “Senseless Sexy Rage”
“Don’t you wanna see me out these tight clothes?” singer-songwriter Rubby croons, but it’s more of a boast than an actual question because he already knows that the answer is yes. The NYC-based singer and songwriter blurs the lines between R&B and electro-pop even further on his latest track “Senseless Sexy Rage,” as the details of an off-and-on-again situationship unravel. Rubby amps up the seduction with feather-soft falsettos and glassy synth arpeggios in this steamy slow burn that shows off his edgier side. – Nayeli Portillo
La Joaqui, Ovy On The Drums - “TURRA & BANDIDA”
Colombian producer Ovy On The Drums partnered with Argentinian singer La Joaqui on a new collaboration, “TURRA & BANDIDA.” By meshing cumbia touches like a coquettish accordion and bass guitar with a reggaeton beat, the two artists deliver a track that puts forward an exciting summer banger. Lyrically, La Joaqui puts her heart on her sleeve, laying down verses about a baddie uncharacteristically falling head over heels. What happens when you put that together with Ovy’s signature beats? A summer hit. – Jeanette Hernandez
Greeicy - “A VECES A BESOS”
Greeicy’s newest single, “A Veces A Besos,” tackles a story of going from friends to secret lovers. Going down a spicy yet softened reggaeton route, the singer-songwriter’s mesmerizing voice and passionate lyrics define the track. The music video, directed by Dario Burbano, is the perfect complement to the track, bringing her concept of being something more behind closed doors to life. “A Veces A Besos” will be included on her upcoming album, which follows February’s YELIANA. — Chelsea Quezada
El Rubio Acordeon - “Te Mentiría”
El Rubio Acordeón is back with a romantic adaptation of Luck Ra’s 2021 hit “Te Mentiría.” Known for his exceptional accordion skills and fresh approach to traditional sounds, El Rubio transforms the song into a slowed-down merengue típico. This latest release showcases his talent for modernizing típico while honoring its roots, solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the genre. – Joel Moya
Stella Santana - “Easier”
Stella Santana is set to drop the follow-up to her 2023 Distant II EP on July 25, the six-track project Twelve Feet High, which includes her breezy new single “Easier.” Santana floats over a hip-hop-inspired beat and soulful chords, bringing nostalgia to her current sound. She can feel herself falling in love, and she chooses to dive in head-first, but she knows what she’s after, as she cheekily sings, “Let’s have some fun, but don’t get needy / You might get left, but you’ll never leave me.” — Cheky
Los Sufridos - “Chivi”
With every new release, Dominican power trio Los Sufridos take their streetwise explorations of good ‘ol bachata grajo into fresher, cheekier waters. Their latest amargue classic is “Chivi,” an uproarious meditation on paramours that belong to no one but the streets. The track is accompanied by a clip of dancers setting the floor ablaze at La Disco Terraza El Grande, where twanging bachata guitar and cascading percussion make for delicious revelry fuel. – Richard Villegas
JC Karo - “El Error”
Cuban singer-songwriter JC Karo drops his newest EP this week, appropriately titled Karo. The project is an eight-track collection of corrido tumbado and Regional Mexican-influenced songs that fuse the genre with R&B, all in the service of a running narrative throughout. The music videos also tell the story, culminating in this week’s “El Error,” after the release of previous visuals over the last few months. Karo has been a force behind the scenes for years now, writing hits for artists such as Farruko, Pedro Capó, Natanael Cano, and more. Now, he puts himself and his music front and center, teasing the full spectrum of his range. — Juan J. Arroyo
Rui Gabriel - “Change Your Mind”
Lo-fi up-and-comer Rui Gabriel has shared a track that’s all about dancing and having serious feelings. Driven by a bass riff and insistent drums, “Change Your Mind” is a song that both owes to ‘80s synthpop as it does to bedroom pop with the best of both styles in full display; the track is catchy as hell, giving us a would be hit for another dimension. “Change Your Mind” addresses the need for things to take a turn for us to live our best, and the life-affirming harmonies underline a positive outlook through the magic of indie rock. — Marcos Hassan
Andru, Luca Bocci - “El Cine”
Paying homage to a past classic, alternative Mexican artist Andru released a cover of Mecano’s “El Cine.” Inspired by one of her mother’s favorite songs, along with one of their favorite activities together, the single reimagines the ‘80s bop for the modern day. Stripping back on the electro-synth heaviness of the new wave era, the interpolation refreshes it into a more ambient indie dream-pop track. Lyrically, the song stays true to the original, dancing emotively around the escape that movie theaters can often provide. Argentinian Luca Bocci also features to share the vocals as the duo ruminates in the sensations of dimmed rooms and scripted stories that sometimes can feel like your only hope for a happy ending, even if just for a fleeting moment. – Jeanette Diaz
Chicocurlyhead - “COPA DE VINO”
Chicocurlyhead is lovestruck and can’t get enough on “COPA DE VINO,” which comes from his newly-released NEVERENDING ROADTRIP EP. While the EP shows the Panamanian artist experimenting with the sounds of alt-pop, his R&B-influenced origins come to the surface on tracks like “COPA DE VINO.” Chicocurlyhead returns to the romanticism that tinted earlier singles like 2021’s “Modelo” and ushers in the start of the summer with soft-spoken hooks and a breezy syncopated beat. – Nayeli Portillo
NELLA - “Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado (Feat. Nicole Zignago)”
Venezuelan songbird Nella is back with “Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado” featuring Peruvian singer Nicole Zignago. Together, the two singers harmonize their sweet pop vocals to recreate an iconic song penned by María Grever that was once covered by Luis Miguel, and also Eydie Gormé with Los Panchos. This new rendition explores a more soft percussion-driven melody with echoing electric guitar sounds that give the classic a modern pop twist. “Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado” is part of Nella’s En Otra Vida, a tribute album that highlights other Spanish-language classics like Julieta Venegas’ “Me Voy” and Laura Pausini’s “Víveme.” – Jeanette Hernandez
Bodine - "Tu Mujer"
Puerto Rican artist Bodine oozes confidence in “Tu Mujer,” her first release since her March album Quemo Lento. She maintains her signature reggaeton and R&B sound on the steamy two-minute track, all while embracing her sexuality every second. Her lyrics are self-assured, letting her love interest know that she’s the prize: “El no quiere a otra, me quiere a mi nomás.” Bodine is focused on heating up the summer in more ways than one with yet another sensual song. — Chelsea Quezada
Mujercitas Terror - “Nubes de Alcohol”
Buenos Aires underground icons Mujercitas Terror are back with Nubes de Alcohol, their first album in five years, and it finds them in top shape, now under the guidance of Shaman Herrera handling production duties. The title track is a thunderous indie rock bomb you can mosh to, but it takes seconds to be drawn in by its bleak lyrics about solitude, as they sing about feeling like dregs of society after hitting the bottom of alcohol bottles but finding an unexpected refuge in their despair. — Cheky
Adriel.sfx - “EUFORIA Checkpoint”
The Dominican electronic underground is experiencing a well-deserved moment of hype following excellent, exploratory records from producers Boundary, NMNL, and dis.tant. The next name to keep on your radar is Adriel.sfx, who throughout the year, has unveiled a string of abstract thumpers collaging beats from baile funk, drum&bass, and an ample arsenal of samples. His latest single, “EUFORIA Checkpoint,” is perhaps the most rib-cage-shaking offering thus far, layering glitchy drums and pitched-up vocals that create a jagged cacophony like Sonic the Hedgehog in a blender. – Richard Villegas
AV María - “KÉ CALOR”
Wielding the same forward-thinking creativity that gave us her debut hit “TOTONKA!,” Puerto Rican diva and trailblazer AV María drops her long-awaited new single “KÉ CALOR” today. A reinterpretation of the old Palito Ortega song “Calor,” she fused it with two other songs she’d been workshopping as potential summer bangers — a ballroom house and a Brazilian funk. The result, produced by fast-rising and multi-talented indie artist Gyanma, is a fire track (no pun intended) that wouldn’t sound out of place in any discotheque, catwalk, or afterparty this season. In her eyes, the sun’s heat is only comparable to the one given off by her and her fellow muñecas. — Juan J. Arroyo
Molina - “Scorpio”
Danish-Chilean artist Molina has spent some time playing with experimental artists such as ML Buch, and now she’s giving us a taste of what she’s up to with her own project. Grungy guitars dominate “Scorpio,” but not big, brash, distorted power chords, but rather weird and subdued riffs that recall Breeders and other esoteric ‘90s rockers. Vocally, Molina sings in a soft and whispery way while also firmly carrying the tune, uniting all the different details into an atypical yet easily enjoyable song. “Scorpio” sounds like a slightly quirky guitar pop experiment that will please both adventurous listeners and those looking for catchy hooks. — Marcos Hassan
Sparklmami - “fajas”
Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist Sparklmami released a timely single, “fajas,” inspired by the vulnerable inner reflections on their own nuanced relationship with the idea of fatherhood and its impact on self-identity. Seeking a resolve for some form of understanding and closure with their estranged father, their velvet vocals drape onto a backdrop of uptempo avant-garde jazz melodies rich in texture and sounds of provocative keys, horns, and percussions. The accompanying compelling video adds to the idea of the fracturing possibilities that can exist, coexist, and multiply when attempting to fill in the blanks of an unknown void. – Jeanette Diaz