19 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Delilah to Marca MP

Delilah - “Estrella Fugaz”

The comedown that follows opening your eyes to the reality of a first love that always kind of felt too good to be true is heartbreaking. It’s a timeless subject that has fueled decades and decades worth of breakup songs. Singer-songwriter Delilah channels that rawness into “Estrella Fugaz,” her latest single and one of her most compelling ballads to date. “Me enamore por la primera vez, que pena no fue como lo pinte,” she laments beside somber guitar chords, only to admit that it was still all worth it as she stakes her claim as one of the most promising new artists in the música mexicana world with a flawless and gut-wrenching delivery. – Nayeli Portillo

Marca MP, Nivel - "Cada Día Te Quiero Más”

Following their latest release, “Miedo,” the Mexican group is back with “Cada Día Te Quiero Más” featuring Nivel. The duet delivers a romantic ballad with Pedro “Chato” Vargas’ soft, nostalgic-like croons meshed with Nivel’s raspy touch and backed with simple acoustic guitar chords. By keeping the melody minimalistic, Marca MP allows their vocalists to take the lead as they narrate a story about a transcendental and head-over-heels type of love. So, if you’re skipping over the winter holidays and already thinking of Valentine’s Day, this is the perfect song to dedicate to your lover. – Jeanette Hernandez

EthanUno - "quemar" 

The burning sensations of both passion and heartbreak are intertwined in EthanUno’s newest track, “quemar.” Enveloped in dream-inducing beats, this futuristic pop banger meets the artist’s Latine roots in an explosion of carefully crafted lyrics. The deliciously vibrant rhythm of the song allows the delicate flow of the artist’s serene voice to shine in its own right in a beautiful contrast. It seems that, from this point onward, EthanUno’s career can only go up since the singer is now signed to two labels that are bound to push his visibility forward, as an artist of his caliber deserves. – Júlia Henn

Bob Junior - “Carousel” 

Chilean-Norwegian artist Bob Junior is taking a pause from a slew of recent collaborations with indie heavy hitters to roll out his own second solo track, “carousel.” Signaling his last release for the year, he surrenders to the vulnerability of his own personal health issues for the lo-fi single. Struggling with vertigo and feeling its impact through much of the passing days, the track was recorded in a couple of hours with one single mic and a tape during those rare, fleeting moments of upswing and hope of better days. A fitting encapsulation to wrap up the year for many, the sullen, unpolished, one-take track was created as an emotional outlet meant to simply exist in its imperfect truth to help make it through another day.  — Jeanette Diaz

Clara Yolks - “Maratón (feat. Ivana)”

Peruvian alternative pop-rock singer-songwriter Clara Yolks is celebrating a victory lap after the commercial and critical success of her sophomore project. Mar Adentro. And to capitalize on its momentum, she’s back to close the year with a bang with a music video for one of the standout tracks. The whole body of work is an exploration of being and the pit of vast emotions that make up our character, and “Maratón” is a bubbly extension of the feeling of emptiness, demonstrating love and its innocence and Yolk’s grappling with anxiety. Lyrically, “Maratón” tackles the sensitive subject of chasing love and desire while battling the fears of being alone. It has an intimate sound to it, coupled with a rich alternative sound that wears its early 2000s rockero influence on its sleeve. It’s comforting as it is warm, nestling the cradles of your eardrums with sweet mantras to remember your self-worth. – Alan Baez

Paola Larrama - “Plantas”

Over the past few years, Uruguay has emerged as a bastion of experimental folk music, and the newest gem in the canon is the soundtrack to Un cuarto propio. The theater piece by Colectivo La Tijera unspools cross-generational stories of women and their bodies as instruments of labor, fear, and desire. With all songs written and arranged by Paola Larrama and taking atmospheric cues from the play, “Plantas” emerges as an early thesis statement drawing parallels between the resilient self-renewal of Rioplatense flora and the multiplicity of women on the stage and in the world. – Richard Villegas

Ed Maverick - “violento”

Ed Maverick continues to share the individual songs that make up his one-track masterpiece, “La Nube En El Jardín.” On this occasion, he gives us one of the most emotionally-heavy tunes of the collection. “violento” features slowcore guitar strums that give way to swirling chords, bringing a new dimension to Maverick’s barebones instrumentation. Lyrically, it’s a rumination about an absent person who ended their relationship in an abrupt manner, describing the duality of wanting to return to the old days while also expressing regret and anger. Maverick expresses these thoughts with nuance, mixing stark reality with layered imagery, and giving a masterclass in catharsis. — Marcos Hassan

Nieves - “El Tiempo Que Desees”

Nieves’ singles are rare and spread out, but his latest one can actually help us understand the logic behind this. “El Tiempo Que Desees” is the Venezuelan artist’s first release in over a year, and it’s a charming indie pop song that makes us smile with its simplicity and heartwarming message. Oscar Nieves tells his loved one to take their time before taking their next step, because things will always find their course. It’s also a life mantra he follows, sharing with us the power of giving ourselves grace while following our dreams. – Cheky

Habichuelas - “Poco a poco”

Puerto Rican band Habichuelas has been jammin’ sporadically for a few years now, leaning into their identity as a multi-genre grouping that can tackle indie rock, reggae, ambient, jazz, and more. Fronted by musician Ricardo Lebrón, 2024 became the year when they began to release music in earnest. The third and latest single, “Poco a poco,” closes out the year with a meditative track infused with hints of dreampop, beach rock, and more. It all comes together in a ear-pleasing way, highlighting not just the lead’s melodic vocals but also the hypnotic and relaxing sound that compliments the song’s yearning lyrics. —  Juan J. Arroyo

Adriel Favela, Said Norzagaray - “Carolina Herrera”

After teasing fans with new music earlier this week, Mexican singer Adriel Favela is back with “Carolina Herrera,” the latest single from his forthcoming album due next year. The new track shows Favela indulging in the finer things in life like designer threads and morning blunts–not to mention name checking a distinctly elegant designer perfume–beside a blazing charcheta, tololoche, and regional newcomer Said Norzagaray. “Carolina Herrera” is the equivalent of Favela soaking up a victory lap while dripping in white gold Cartier jewelry in what the artist describes as an “ode to success, loyalty and faith.” – Nayeli Portillo

La Receta - “Sálvame (feat. El Frizian)”

Regional Mexican group La Receta is back with another cover, this time throwing it back to 2004. Their new RBD cover of “Sálvame” featuring El Frizian pulls back the original song’s pop elements and remakes it to a norteño-inspired música mexicana track. With a dancing accordion, a steady pulse, and rhythmic percussions, the rising group reinvents what is one of the Mexican group’s most popular songs to date with their own je ne sais quoi. In the past, La Receta has found success with other covers such as Feid’s “Ferxxo 100,” Kenia Os’ “Malas Decisiones,” and more. Now, even the belicones can add RBD to their playlist, without their compas shaming them for it. – Jeanette Hernandez

El Padrinito Toys, Victor Mendivil, Ganggy – “Toca Toca”

Mexican singer El Padrinito Toys briefly stepped away from corridos tumbados to create a high-energy, sexually charged dembow track alongside Victor Mendivil and Ganggy. Mendivil’s recognizable, gravelly voice kicks the song off with tales of flying his girl out on a private jet and hard partying. El Padrinito and Ganggy take turns reciting their explicit verses before the track seamlessly transitions and closes with a smooth house beat. The trio are all hit-makers in their own right, and in “Toca Toca,” they combine their star power and blend some of their signature sounds to create a track that can fit perfectly into any pre-game playlist. – Rosy Alvarez

Amarion - “Ring Ring”

With seductively smooth yet raspy vocals, Puerto Rican singer Amarion lets all his vulnerability and paranoia flow into an addictive track. “Ring Ring” is all about the uncertainties of love in the modern age, when technology has allowed all of us to keep track of our loved ones’ every movement, and how quickly we feel rejected when we aren’t allowed to do so; be it by unanswered calls and texts, or simply mixed signals. The artist imbues the song with all the best qualities of what he’s become known for: rhythmic and catchy trap. For anyone who has dealt with the insecurity that comes with falling in love, “Ring Ring” might just become a new favorite. – Júlia Henn

Yeri Mua, El Malilla - “Avión Privado”

2024 was an undeniably great year for reggaeton mexa stars Yeri Mua and El Malilla. With no better way to close it out, the chart toppers come together for a joint slay with “Avión Privado” – a single that is also confirmed to be on Yeri’s highly anticipated project release next year. On their latest slow-tempoed perreo, the powerhouse duo joins the mile-high club as they fly their not-so-subtle passionate desires to new heights by detailing all the intimate things that happen behind the closed doors of a lover’s private jet. The lyrics may be explicit, but the experience is discreet and reserved, proving that sometimes the most luxuriously seductive moments can come from moving in silence – or up in the skies far removed from everything but each other. — Jeanette Diaz

Xyamm angel, Celestial Trash - “BIONETTA”

Emerging from a realm unknown, birthed from the farthest reaches of contemporary music, comes “BIONETTA,” a song crafted from the trenches that blends the likes of screamo, hardcore, dembow, and a touch of nightcore and club feel. The energy put forward by Argentinian artist Xyamm Angel is aggressive and emotional. It demonstrates that she can hold her own against other hardcore groups with her gritty vocals and a killer instrumental. The rifts here are crazy, giving the aggressive and brash nature that’s expected from the hardcore genre, but simultaneously accompanying it with high-pitched vocals, which seem out of pocket on paper, but go incredibly well together. Though the track sounds like it could fit on the DOOM soundtrack, Angel’s vocals are pitched to the T, but the sentiment of the lyrics still hits heavy with the chorus. Accompanied by progressive production that blends the genres from Celestial Trash, “BIONETTA” represents the next step in the evolution of an often overlooked scene within the Latine alternative space. – Alan Baez

Jonás - “De Nuevo”

“Nunca es tarde para empezar de nuevo,” coos a mournful Jonás on his year-end banger, “De Nuevo.” And while the delightfully effervescent perreo with a synth line reminiscent of sunkissed soca can stand on its own as a bop worthy of sensual grinding, the track also invites consideration of Jonás as one of the Dominican Republic’s most exciting rising stars. “De Nuevo” arrives a few months after his excellent collaborative EP with Diego Raposo, Buena Vida, Mala Fama, acting as a sort of re-introduction for a songwriter, crooner, and producer who can do it all and is just getting started. – Richard Villegas

Foliage - “Winter (I’m Still Waiting)”

Lo-fi neo-Latine soul-lifer Foliage gets into the season’s mood with this new track. “Winter (I’m Still Waiting)” features sounds that we’ve come to expect from this artist — wavy guitars, ‘80s-like synths, soulful melodies, mellow drum machines — while nodding to the Christmas season via sleigh bells and chimes sprinkled throughout. These references extend to the lyrics, mentioning mistletoes and cold wind, resulting in a song that hits the mark of holiday songs but gets into the nostalgic aspect of this time of year. With “Winter (I’m Still Waiting),” Foliage adds a song that could be included in a cool, alternative Christmas playlist. — Marcos Hassan

LLAMAS - “No Me Entienden”

Multimedia artist Guillermo Llamas Altamirano shows yet again that genres mean nothing to him on his latest track ,“No Me Entienden.” Eight months after dropping a killer cumbia rebajada “Sol Eterno,” he’s now back with “No Me Entienden,” a pop-rock number where he tries to deal with millennial anxieties using catchy melodies as a vehicle. LLAMAS tries to stay present while being tormented by past mistakes and an uncertain future but ends up feeling isolated and misunderstood, a familiar feeling for people in his generation. The song is accompanied by a self-directed interactive music video that adds to his inventive POV. – Cheky

FE7O - “Agota (feat. Gabby Black)”

FE7O’s name got thrust into the limelight last year when Bad Bunny himself uploaded an Instagram story using one of his songs off his independently-produced album OCIO. It was a big deal for the artist, who up until then, worked on his music in a lowkey manner. He’s kept at it since then, and this week he releases “Agota” alongside fellow newcomer and partner Gabby Black. She dropped her own debut song “badtrip” earlier this year, and together, they weave an intimate bedroom pop story about how a relationship can teeter between being stable and rocky and how much effort goes into trying to fix that balance. —  Juan J. Arroyo