19 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Bruses to Rodrigo Mancusi & Yantó

06.20.25 at 01:44

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, Rodrigo Mancusi with Yantó, and DJ BLASS with Jowell y Randy. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

Bruses - “ME ESTOY RINDIENDO am0r :(”

With a tip-toeing intro featuring Bruses’ haunting yet delicate vocals, “ME ESTOY RINDIENDO am0r :(“ hooks you from the beginning. The new eerie track features a vulnerable side of the Tijuana-born singer, asking for human connection and questioning whether love exists after death. Upon listening to her raw lyrics, the song can be interpreted in many ways, making it a song worth replaying and dissecting from the get-go. Whether it’s about yearning for a connection or processing grief, the singer offers a song that deeply resonates with her fan base. With a heavy bass, enthralling synths, and distorted electronic sounds, Bruses continues to show us why she’s destined to be in the spotlight. – Jeanette Hernandez

Rodrigo Mancusi, Yantó - “Não Vou Dar”

Before the “Q” in LGBTQ reclaimed the pejorative use of “queer,” it meant “questioning,” holding space for people in the community still navigating self-discovery. But sometimes that journey comes at the expense of another, and on his new single, “Não Vou Dar,” Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Mancusi unpacks the wreckage left by all the DL men that used him as a sexual guinea pig. Though the song first appeared on his 2024 debut album, Noticías de Longe, Mancuso invited singer and composer Yantó to reimagine his confessions from the synth-heavy original into a more intimate cabaret style. Sonically akin to bolero and bachata, this new version rattles with seductive outrage, riding a sparse arrangement of bongos and electric guitar as they duet, “Não sou comida, muito menos requentada,” resenting their sneaky link status and demanding to be loved and desired in the light of day. – Richard Villegas

DJ BLASS - “B.L.A.S.S. (feat. Jowell y Randy)”

“B.L.A.S.S.” is a blast from the past, uniting reggaeton pioneer DJ Blass with the legendary duo Jowell y Randy. The track pays homage to the early days of reggaeton, echoing their iconic collaboration “Guayeteo” with its unmistakable sound, bold lyrics, and meticulously layered beat. It’s a celebration of the genre’s roots — raw, energetic, and unapologetically fun. As the focus track of DJ Blass’s upcoming album Sandunguero Vol. 3, “B.L.A.S.S.” sets the tone for a project that bridges generations. The album features a dynamic lineup of both reggaeton legends and rising stars, including De La Ghetto, Ñengo Flow, Yomo, Mariah Angeliq, Juanka, Guaynaa, and Brray. With this release, DJ Blass reaffirms his role as a key architect of the genre, blending old-school flavor with fresh voices to keep reggaeton evolving, while never forgetting where it came from. – Natasha Melina Argudo

La Favi - “Adicta”

Music transcends borders, but Andalusian artist La Favi stylishly shatters them with “Adicta,” a romantic yet tragic corrido where she compares her inability to overcome a past relationship with substance dependence. Co-written with Mexican musician MONVCO, the genre’s classic sounds mixed with her melancholically enamoured voice are proof that two talents from opposite sides of the ocean can come together to create magic. It is impossible to mix corrido music with vaporwave-like aesthetics, right? Well, La Favi, again, breaks that limit with the accompanying visuals where she portrays both a bride and a widow surrounded by digital interference, saint-like glowing halos, and 3D scans of her, holding herself up as one has to after a breakup. A great track to scream out loud while driving with your friend who recently ended their relationship, and while it might not necessarily help them overcome anything, it can become a favorite for those days when you just want a little kick to remember the rush. – La Morra Lisa

Kirnbauer - “T.E.D.M.”

Emerging Mexican alt-pop artist Kirnbauer continues to share previews of her upcoming EP, this time with her latest single “T.E.D.M.,” an acronym for tú encima de mí. The track is a soft play that revels in the quiet euphoria of those first blissful moments of intimacy with a loved one. Over a hollowed acoustic guitar melody and lightly layered synths, her voice arrives in a wistful whisper that still manages to radiate with the passionate emotional gravity of falling in love through the sparkle of the most romantic, tender acts. – Jeanette Diaz

Soge Culebra, Manuel Turizo - “El Corrido”

After first teasing it all the way back in October of last year, Soge Culebra finally drops his long-awaited foray into corridos, titled appropriately enough “El Corrido.” He teams up with Colombian megastar Manuel Turizo, also a newcomer to the popular genre, and together they put on their storyteller caps and commit to the rules of the music. For Soge, it’s an opportunity to continue demonstrating the range that’s made him such an acclaimed artist, and for Turizo, it closes out his trilogy after previous hits “La Bachata” and “El Merengue” as he tips his hat to timeless genres in Latin America that always get fans on their feet. — Juan J. Arroyo

N8NOFACE - “Everything We Thought We Knew”

LA-based synth punk artist N8NOFACE has released a post-punk banger that fits perfectly in these uncertain and dark times. “Everything We Thought We Knew” features danceable basslines, kinetic synthetic drums, gloomy guitar lines, and deadpan vocals, resulting in a great example of this gothy rhythmic music, perfect for children of the night looking for a good time. Lyrically, the song reflects on the state of the world we’re living in right now, getting right to its existential feelings we’re going through by witnessing such apocalyptic events. As far as songs addressing this doomy state of affairs, “Everything We Thought We Knew” is a doom-ladden party bop. — Marcos Hassan

Rubby, James Juke “Be so Nice”

After showcasing a master class in pulling from pockets of industrial, ambient production, New York musician Rubby returns to bless fans with another sonically sound and focused track. When it comes to drawing on unprecedented beats and pulls from pockets of contemporary songwriting, there is nobody currently doing it like Rubby. His previous single “Petrichor” demonstrated this appreciation for unconventional production and spacey, mildly uncomfortable elements to evoke the feeling of unease. But this new track takes similar patterns for something quite the opposite. Where “Petrichor” is the uneasy conversation to have, discomfort and all included, “Be so Nice” is the opposite side of the same coin, still rocking empathetic lyricism that breathes uncomfortable conversations, but masked by a progressive, clubhouse vibe. The track taps in New York’s James Juke and completely complements the energy. Its contemporary loops are upbeat and mind-numbing, almost like you going out with some friends on the west end to distract yourself from a failing situationship. It’s a great time. – Alan Baez

MONCHMONCH - “BOLINHA DE FERRO”

MONCHMONCH’s latest release is a testament to the lengths our brains might reach when allowed to think freely and creatively. The Brazilian artist’s new album, MARTEMORTE, crafted between Brazil and Portugal, reveals an insight into the postmodern reality of a capitalist hell transpiring on Mars, which directly affects the crumbling human existence on Earth. A sonic battleground profoundly rooted in punk mixed with experimentalizations, each song on the album feels like it emanates from a soundwave coming directly from The Red Planet that reaches our earthly ears, 140 million miles later, in a distorted but highly amusing dissonance that makes us eager for more. – Júlia Henn

Crime Caqui - “Meio da Pista”

After eight years of activity in the São Paulo indie scene, queer quartet Crime Caqui is taking an indefinite hiatus this year, but not without treating us with some more great new music to help us take the news in. “Meio da Pista,” which also functions as member Yla Oliva’s solo career’s starting point, is a dance number that takes us back to the brand of ‘00s indie rock fortified by funky guitars and raspy synths. “Meu coração é uma casa em chamas,” they sing on the chorus, as they take us into the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with dating a girl who toys with passionate attraction as she pleases. They go from swearing never to fall for her again to wanting her to bite their lips on the dancefloor, clashing feelings familiar to anyone who’s gone through a similar experience. – Cheky

JOONTI - “Lúcete”

Puerto Rican artist Joonti’s newest song “Lúcete” shows there’s more than reggaeton coming from his home island. By fusing R&B with Caribbean elements, the singer delves into his feelings as he narrates a story about an ending love. With gentle acoustic guitar touches and layered reverbs, the boricua comes to terms with his relationship’s fall, asking for one last night before he sets his free-spirited partner free. Overall, the bittersweet song produced by Mike Muñoz captures Joonti’s knack for crafting heartfelt songs that are meant to be sung wearing your heart on your sleeve. – Jeanette Hernandez

Cornuda Posting - “Flores Amarillas”

Argentina is a pop music behemoth, and La Secta del Pop – a new covers compilation from irreverent underground label La Banda del V.I.P – makes the case that música de plancha, telenovela anthems, and teeny-bopper earworms should all be held in glorious regard. The album includes a reimagining of Lali and Turf’s synth-rocker “Loco un Poco” at the hands of drag artist Kei Drama, while trans diva La Indigo gives the vaporwave treatment to Rodrigo’s cuarteto classic, “Amor Clasificado.” Setting the tone for this wild ride is Cornuda Posting, who delivers a dizzying club makeover of “Flores Amarillas,” the iconic hit from Y2K TV sensation, Floricienta. Auto-tuned to high heaven, the self-described “first trans female shitpost pop star” performs the bouncy chorus over an unrelenting techno beat, flooding the dance floor with a delightful ray of sunshine and sparking countless raver singalongs. – Richard Villegas

XARLY GUILLEN - “INTER ACTIVA O PASIVA (FT. JAVO LEON)”

Xarly Guillen teams up with Javo Leon, the self-proclaimed creator of regayton mexa, for their provocative and high-energy release “Inter Activa o Pasiva.” More than just a club-ready banger, the track is a bold declaration of queer identity and sexual freedom. Set against a backdrop of pounding reggaeton beats and catchy hooks, the song dives headfirst into the raw and intimate desires shared between the two artists. With lyrics that are as explicit as they are honest, Guillen and Leon lay it all out, detailing exactly what they want from their paramour, without shame or apology. It’s a musical exchange of roles, power, and longing, wrapped in the pulsating energy of the underground queer scene. Together, they don’t just challenge norms, they redefine them. “Inter Activa o Pasiva” is more than a song; it’s a statement, a conversation, and a celebration of queer reggaeton’s evolving voice. – Natasha Melina Argudo

Arrobanat - “LA CIUDAD”

Similar to the opening guitar chords of “La Ciudad,” the thought of going back to a small hometown can sound joyful at first. But unfortunately for some members of the LGBT+ community, like singer songwriter Arrobanat, it can also be a reminder of the reasons you left in the first place. Mirroring that somber realization, a distorted guitar over a bone-dry drumbeat breaks through to shake the illusion of an everlasting safe place. Beautiful layered choruses, all performed by this talented vocalist, envelop the listener in a ghost-like arrangement that traps us in a deceivingly harmonious place. Under a sonically beautiful mask, angsty lyrics tell the story of somebody who prefers the big city, polluted gray skies, and noisy streets over the fake peace of forcefully attending Sunday mass — church bells included in the mix. After having music appear in film, TV, and important festivals, Arrobanat presents “La Ciudad” as the second single off their newest project, one that took a toll emotionally in exchange for a new creative push. Whenever you feel like you can’t find your footing, listen to this song. Hopefully, it will remind you that you are not the only one feeling that way, that there is a community out there for you, and even if it is not a physical place, it can feel like home. – La Morra Lisa

FRNCA - “Tragedia”

Mexicali-based artist FRNCE shares her latest track “Tragedia,” an indie folk-leaning slow burn that unravels quiet devastation in the tender space between memory and distance — between what was and what won’t be again. Built around muted guitar strums, soft percussion, and vocals that feel like a conversation you’ve replayed in your head for far too long, the track traces the longing to bridge emotional distance and the grief that comes when you can’t. The lyrics unfold like something long held in, now marked by silence, ache, and the haunting presence of what still lingers. Heavily, she reclaims this emotional pause as a source of strength. The track doesn’t dramatize heartbreak; it reflects on the quiet weight of connection that’s slipped out of reach. The kind that still pulses through you even after it’s gone. Centered on fleeting and unresolved bonds, the song invites listeners to sit with stillness and rediscover the parts of ourselves shaped in silence, especially the kind we often avoid. Every line echoes the gradual realization that some closeness, no matter how vividly remembered, can’t be rebuilt. — Jeanette Diaz

Nina Suárez - “Roto por dentro”

Nina Suarez’s album, Algo para Decirte, made a handful of Best of the Year lists when it came out in 2023. The Argentinian singer-songwriter’s debut LP impressed with its pensive rock and post-punk stylings that explored everything from the ennui of life to never having asked to exist in the first place. This summer, she starts the preamble to her sophomore project, due in August, with new single “Roto por dentro.” It’s familiar territory as the lyrics touch on how you can only distance yourself from your identity so much before realizing you’re defined by your traits. But, as the warm notes and cadence tell, acceptance will free you even more. — Juan J. Arroyo

Dear Joanne - "Ella quiere tocarme el pelo"

After building a name for themselves in the Madrid music scene and signing with Caries Records, Spanish rock outfit Dear Joanne is ready to break into the larger Euro rock consciousness. The title track extends beyond into aesthetics, with the two embracing the colorful and “wild” look reminiscent of early glam and Movida culture to complement the sound. “Ella quiere tocarme el pelo” incorporates elements of new wave and punk for something nostalgic, but still refreshing to the ears. While the two bandmates hit every note of visual aesthetics, their Caries’ debut carries the weight of their brand. Built on a surf rock core, emulating multiple influences of sub-rock genres, the title track is punchy on all fronts; hitting every note with character and a dynamic energy between the two. – Alan Baez

Ludmilla - “Paraíso”

Brazilian singer Ludmilla is taking Pride Month to a whole new level with the release of her most personal track to date, according to her. “Paraíso” is a calm, soft, and emotional tune inspired by early 2000s R&B that describes in its lyrics the love story between Ludmilla and her wife, dancer Brunna Gonçalves, and the joy shared between both women with the arrival of their daughter, Zuri. The song even explores the hardships faced by the couple in the early stages of their relationship and the fear that surrounded them at the time, when they were still closeted, at least for the public eye, making it a deeply earnest account of their journey as part of the LBGTQ+ community. As the track delves into happier bits of their story, it cements its place as an inspiring anthem for all those who feel ostracized for choosing love every day. – Júlia Henn

Titanic - “Gotera”

Mexico City-based project Titanic, formed by noted Guatemalan artist Mabe Fratti and Venezuela’s Héctor Tosta (aka Isabel La Católica), just announced Haguen, their anticipated sophomore album, which will feature the likes of Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) and Eli Keszler. “Gotera,” the album’s first single, is a cinematic track that is as intense as it is blissful, contrasting gunfire-like drums and dissonant strings with layers of Fratti’s ethereal voice. Pairing this with the song’s disarming lyrics, we’re presented with an encapsulation of our current reality, where we’re all trying to move forward in a collapsing world plagued with war and fire. – Cheky

20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Zemmoa to MIMA & Villano Antillano