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 Bruses with Humbe, Dillom, and Bellakath with Ms Nina. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Bruses, Humbe - “Bestia”
Singer and songwriter Amalia Ramírez has been crafting atmospheric electronic music spliced with poppier elements under the moniker of Bruses since her early teens. Her latest single “Bestia” encapsulates wanting to commit to self-love while swept up in total enchantment as Ramirez doles out doll-like falsettos soaked in reverb over a deep, boppy pulse. R&B titan Humbe hops on the track, and the result is an irresistibly catchy raver-friendly dark dance-pop gem that solidifies Bruses’s status as an up-and-coming artist to watch out for. – Nayeli Portillo
Dillom - “Buenos Tiempos”
After fundamentally changing the Argentine trap game with 2021’s genre-rebellious POST-MORTEM, rapper and all-around enfant terrible Dillom has finally dropped his hotly anticipated sophomore album Por cesárea. An immersive, conceptual epic about how violence and trauma beget more violence and trauma, the rock-heavy record includes cinematic features from titans like Lali and Andrés Calamaro. But Dillom shines on terrifying cuts “Ùltimamente” and “Muñecas,” while surefire hit “Buenos Tiempos” may be the sole flash of uproarious levity on the LP. The track follows our fictional protagonist on a night out hunting for baddies and spitting rapid-fire innuendoes to the throbbing sound of psych rock and acid house. On the hook Dillom wails, “El día que muera, moriré en mi ley,” a deranged cry of anarchism that also sounds an awful lot like the name of Argentina’s current president and which will no doubt ring in the streets in weeks to come. – Richard Villegas
Bellakath, Ms Nina - “Pushaina”
Bellakath and Ms Nina released “Pushaina,” a perreo showstopper from the moment you press play. With this new collaboration, the Mexican reggaeton diva is bringing back Y2K with this pulsing, staticky earworm and the visuals that feature Care Bears and iconic millennium fashion. Together, the two artists deliver a club-ready bass-heavy reggaeton banger that will have us indecently singing, “A él le gusta chupar, le gusta chupar,” with no fucks given. – Jeanette Hernandez
Ana Tijoux, Pablo Chill-E - "Dime Que"
The music video for the 14th track of Ana Tijoux’s album Vida is here, featuring the French-Chilean rapper and her explosive dance troupe. “Dime Que” showcases her ability to deliver a snappy hook and Tijoux’s rapping prowess in three languages. Her impassioned flow on the trap track remains a reliable feature in her music: “Abriré, llegaré, subiré, entraré/Como reina donde jamás han pisado tus pies.” Verses from fellow Chilean rapper Pablo Chill-E bring even more heat to the fire. As the credits roll on the video, we see the dancers on a break, relaxing to Tijoux’s short but sweet Vida track, “Suave.” — Chelsea Quezada
Victor Internet - “FORREAL V6”
Victor Internet delivers the awaited new track “FORREAL V6” this week. A deeply introspective single, the synth-laced ballad travels the artist’s mind, who is battling conflicting feelings over the ending of a relationship. “You just want those feelings for real” is repeated as a chant as if trying to convince himself of a recipe for success. Reckoning that he would give their partner everything they needed if they could, he seems to be coming up short at the time. A flip on the more traditional heartbreak songs of endings when things go wrong, the song is a rumination of the painful aftermath when things are right, just simply not enough. – Jeanette Diaz
Muñeca - “Bambi”
Sub Pop Records was originally defined by bands like Nirvana, who shared a love for heavy, distorted, and screamy music that also had very catchy songs. Now, the label is revisiting its roots with Muñeca, a Spanish-singing female band that’s updating the label’s early sound for the future. “Bambi” features an irresistibly dumb punk riff with plenty of fuzz and excitement, catchy “in-the-red” vocals, and a claustrophobic sense of dynamics. By the time the track transforms itself into a halftime crawl that would make the Melvins proud, you’ll be convinced that Muñeca is reconfiguring a sound from a defining era into something new. — Marcos Hassan
Rob Ram - “Ciudades Perfectas”
Over two years ago, Rob Ram released a trio of ethereal pop singles that established the Chilean artist’s sound. Now, after a sabbatical, he’s back with new single “Ciudades Perfectas” and the reveal that his debut album drops later this year. The song stays within his well-paved lane, opening with notes that instantly trigger memories of his previous offerings. Just like he did then, Rob’s dreamy vocals and metaphor-rich lyrics cover feelings of melancholy and watching time pass by with no anchor. It’s ennui but with #vibes, and it’s a thrill to discover how that hits the spot for some. — Juan J. Arroyo
Wet Baes - “Confesión”
Mexico’s Wet Baes is back with his second 2024 single, where he continues on charting new territory in his musical universe. Originally written with Regional Mexicano star Christian Nodal in mind, “Confesión” became Andrés Jaime’s experiment with ‘60s pop-rock sounds filtered through bossa nova and bolero lens. The result is a stunning guitar-led jam with a brain-tickling mix where Jaime doesn’t regret his past relationship mistakes, finding liberation in heartbreak. — Cheky
사무엘 (Samuel) - “YEH! YEH!”
At just 22 years old, Samuel has had many lives as an artist. From being part of the pre-debut lineup of what would eventually become one of the biggest K-pop groups of the moment, Seventeen, to participating in the wildly popular South Korean competition show Produce 101, almost making it into the group, to having stints as part of a duo and then a soloist, the Korean-American and Mexican singer is starting yet again after a five-year hiatus. Released under Warner Music Korea, Samuel finally made his comeback with “YEH! YEH!” While the self-penned song invokes the usual themes of money and hustling, it’s the eerie trap beat that allows his dancing chops to thrive. As one of the very few Latines in K-pop, his return is celebrated by many fans within our communities. Samuel’s new EP Now is also out now. – Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum
Futuremen - “ESC (feat. Sexes)”
Known for blending Krautrock and post-rock, Mexico City’s Futuremen joined forces with the duo SEXES, widely recognized for seamlessly integrating music with diverse art forms and embracing noise pop and new wave influences. Together, they have created “ESC,” a new track that serves as a potent critique of social and economic inequality, shedding light on the paradoxical allocation of resources between space exploration and the lack of access to fundamental necessities like healthcare, housing, and education. Through contemplative lyrics and ethereal sounds, the song prompts us to reassess societal priorities and confront the recurring patterns of escapism in the face of tangible challenges. – Alan Lopez
Elsa y Elmar - "palacio <3"
Colombian singer-songwriter Elsa y Elmar goes into full-on romántica mode on the “palacio <3.” Finding harmony as she unpacks deep emotional vulnerability, a lovestruck Elsa starts off a bit apprehensive, but knows it’s ultimately worth the risk to let someone in when the feeling is right. “Ya tengo guardado tu espacio en mi palacio/juro que caben dos,” she sings over a lone guitar before the song erupts into one of her most glowing and straight-ahead pop songs to date. – Nayeli Portillo
Nusar3000, Six Sex - “Melaza”
If buzzy Spanish artists Ralphie Choo and Rusowsky have proven anything, it’s that Rusia-IDK is one of the most-forward thinking avant-pop collectives working today. The next star poised to break through is mysterious producer Nusar3000, who teamed up with Argentine perreo-rave vixen Six Sex for his latest release, “Melaza.” Like its syrupy namesake, the track is built on layers of flavor, swerving wildly through jersey club, baile funk, guaracha, and cumbia sonidera in under three minutes. The track is a rollercoaster ride of ass-shaking madness and a devilishly fun teaser ahead of Nusar3000’s full-length debut, out this summer. – Richard Villegas
Monogem - “Lemon Tree”
Monogem has a knack for creating ethereal serenades. With “Lemon Tree,” the Mexican-American crooner proves her R&B abilities, delivering a soft, groovy, bass-driven ballad with delicate harmonizing vocals and sparse, gentle synthesizers that remind the listener to focus on the simple things life has to offer. In her case, it’s time with her son, the person to whom she dedicates this soothing piece. “Lemon Tree” is part of her upcoming EP that follows her debut album Gardenia. – Jeanette Hernandez
Chino Pacas, Gabito Ballesteros - “Tunechi”
As trap-infused corridos become increasingly popular, it paves the way for rising artists like Chino Pacas. “Tunechi” — a nod to the iconic American rapper Lil Wayne — is Pacas’ newest collaboration with hitmaker Gabito Ballesteros. The two croon about their journeys so far over a guitar and dense bass instrumental. The teen has already gotten the Champagne Papi seal of approval after he appeared in one of Pacas’ past music videos and also used an unreleased track for his Houston Rodeo performance. And as the “Tunechi” video may predict, Pacas and Ballesteros are striving for rich futures. — Chelsea Quezada
Daniel Noah Miller - “Típico”
Daniel Noah Miller shows off his artistic dexterity with his latest release, “Típico,” a Spanish language rework of previously released “Typical” off his most recent album, Disintegration. With the reimagination comes a softened prevalence of the more uptempo breakbeats in the intro, as the song goes on to build its sonic crescendo before releasing back into an easy outro. Allowing an emphasis on the yearnful lyricism, the song serves as a healing reflection of the painful growth that comes from accountability in a relationship, of self or another. Sometimes, we can’t always see things clearly from the center of the storm. But once we make it out, it is a bittersweet reconciliation between what was once naively viewed as standalone actions and the now self-aware typical patterns of harmful spirals and destruction. – Jeanette Diaz
Vondré - “Qué Linda”
While Mexico’s Vondré’s earlier music could pass for raging fun punk rock, “Qué Linda” switches gears to revisit nu metal, and it’s all for the better. Here, they tune their guitars low, drive a groove that doesn’t let up, and employ vocals that go from a whisper to a scream. In keeping with the style, “Qué Linda” talks about body dysmorphia, giving voice to a psychological issue with all the bravado and passion that it deserves. With this song, Vondré gives a nostalgic style a serious shot of adrenaline, proving that the much-shamed genre is still inspiring cathartic reinterpretations. — Marcos Hassan
Rick Moon, Anemoia - “Time Pushes”
Puerto Rican rock talent Rick Moon’s last single was the moody “MIEDO QUE ME COME,” which explored weighty themes of depression and existential malaise with a darker sound. His newest song, “Time Pushes,” is a pivot that embarks on a more funky exploration of emotions. Teaming up with Miami-based trio Anemoia, the foursome put together a catchy swirl of rhythms to get your feet tapping. Under that euphoria, though, are lyrics about the tug of war between unaligned lovers and the realization that what you want might not be what you need. As the clock keeps ticking on the situation, everyone eventually has to make a hard decision. — Juan J. Arroyo
Zona En Reclamación - “El Sol”
Seasoned Maracaibo, Venezuela, artists Ulises Hadjis and Heberto Áñez Novoa, aka Sr. Presidente, joined forces with Mexican newcomer Cynthia Blanco to form Zona En Reclamación, a new band that looks back to the levity and nostalgia of pre-internet Latin American radio music. Their two-track introduction includes the short and sweet “El Sol,” a charming song with minimal instrumentation and lovely crooning led by Blanco that makes us wanna fall in love in the heatwave. It’s bottled-up summer breeze in under a minute and a half. — Cheky