19 New Songs to Listen to This Week From MÓRIA & Bodine to The Altons

01.10.2025 at 09:40

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 MÓRIA with Bodine, The Altons, and Adriel Favela with Octavio Cuadras. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

MÓRIA feat. Bodine - “Rota Nunca Queda II”

This week Dominican darkchata pioneer MÓRIA (who previously went by MÓRY) drops an update — don’t call it a remix — of her late 2024 single, “Rota Nunca Queda.” She brings along Puerto Rican pop vixen Bodine, and together, they join forces to say in one unquivering voice that they won’t let heartache and treason break their spirits. The track gets a boost from their committed participation and a second wind that’s even more spirited this time around. MÓRIA’s 2023 release, SERENO DE LA NOCHE, was as good as breakthroughs come for new artists, and she’s intent on running it back this year and embracing her vision of new takes on regional music that respects tradition while elevating it for a new generation. — Juan J. Arroyo

The Altons - "Your Light"

Los Angeles-based indie band The Altons drum up the nostalgia of Chicano soul and old-school boleros on “Your Light,” the latest cut from their forthcoming album Heartache in Room 14. The group joins a growing roster of acts like Thee Sacred Souls, Los Yesterdays, and Thee Sinseers, who’re reviving the sounds of classic R&B. But what makes The Altons a standout among the pack are the exquisite overlapping harmonies between lead singer Adriana Flores and guitarist Bryan Ponce, as they reach a peak with a fine-tuned call and response chorus in the ultra dreamy “Your Light.” – Nayeli Portillo

Adriel Favela, Octavio Cuadras - "Esquizofrénico"

Adriel Favela is back with “Esquizofrénico,” featuring corridos felices enthusiast Octavio Cuadras. With a hard-hitting brass and string song intro, “Esquizofrénico” opens a sonic música mexicana playground for the two vocalists to trade fiery verses about working hard, having the best-looking baddies, and enjoying their hard-earned luxuries. With similar-sounding ruthless croons that match each other’s energies, the two artists demonstrate their abilities to deliver a corrido earworm that ushers Favela’s upcoming album ORIGEN, due Jan. 23. – Jeanette Hernandez

Yng lvcas, El makabelico - “Me acuerdo”

Mexican artists Yng lvcas and El makabelico are starting the year off strong by colliding their worlds with a collaboration track titled “Me acuerdo.” Throughout the song, the two reflect on what it truly means to have fame and money, as well as the perception of what success means, realizing that “tienes todo cuando menos piensas.” The two are seemingly setting the tone for the rest of the year by remaining mindful of their success over a house-type beat with elements of reggaeton. – Brenda Barrientos

Miramar - “Incertidumbre”

After dedicating the last nine years to expanding their craft, the bolero trio from Richmond presents their long-awaited sophomore project. Entre Tus Flores is Miramar’s latest project, bringing the same feelings of nostalgia, love, and exploration. “Incertidumbre” is the deep cut from the project and symbolizes the same themes present throughout the group’s earlier music, as well as their deeper exploration of an original songwriting front. While their earlier music on streaming platforms is predominantly made up of covers of the great Sylvia Rexach, “Incertidumbre” is completely original. It’s a progressive take on bolero, combining elements of jazz, Mexican pop, and Cuban filín. Its instrumental is reminiscent of New York City jazz clubs while paying homage to earlier bolero works. It’s haunting. The string section, coupled with lyrics of decrepit love gives this sensation of something fleeting, like you’re running towards something you’ll never reach. It’s a soulful presentation of passion and respect for the genre. – Alan Baez

Hyldon & Adrian Younge - "O Caçador De Estrelas"

It’s been 50 years since the release of Hyldon’s seminal MPB and soul album Na Rua, na Chuva, na Fazenda. Despite already being one of the most influential songwriters in Brazilian music history, his work is definitely not done. In 2025, Hyldon partnered with American producer Adrian Younge to create a modern take on the psychedelic sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s with their album HYLDON JID023. With impactful tracks such as “Viajante do Planeta Azul” and “O Caçador De Estrelas,” the duo offers the audience not only excellent pieces of music but also a time machine that might just take the listener back to a different moment in history, as well as a different place. – Júlia Henn

Diómedes Jiménez - “20 no son na’”

Santo Domingo rapper Diómedes Jiménez approaches his music like cinéma vérité, capturing the contours of everyday hustle with the detail and care of an expert documentarian. The first teaser from his forthcoming album is “20 no son na’,” stringing together a series of mundane scenes – ranging from a public transportation ordeal to a reluctant night out with friends – over a lurching beat adorned with atmospheric radio clips and blaring sax. However, the song crescendos on the closing bars, “De ete’ lao’ yo me jarté de ser / Un engrane que a la máquina le da poder,” transforming Jiménez’ first-person storytelling into the rallying cry of a man exhausted by the unbreakable cycle of capitalism. – Richard Villegas

BLONDI - “EGO (feat. HIPPIE REDD)”

Mexico City newcomer capped off his 2024 with the release of his debut EP YA NO ES IGUAL, formed by seven tracks woven together by romance. Opening track “EGO,” produced by HIPPIE RED, finds BLONDI missing a failed secret relationship that he can’t seem to shake off with drugs or other women. Drenched in autotune, BLONDI blurs the lines between romantic and carnal desire over an R&B-tinted beat that effortlessly slips in and out of Jersey club. – Cheky

Yami Safdie, Lasso, Carin Leon - “En Otra Vida”

Argentine artist Yami Safdie is reimagining her hit single “En Otra Vida” with more than just a restructure, but welcoming feature collaborative talent from broader genres to bring new life to the deeply emotive song. Enter Venezuelan singer Lasso and Mexican regional sensation Carin León, whose voices and signature genre touches elevate the ballad reimagination and spark off the magic that can be found when artists from different backgrounds come together with a shared vision. The result plays like a tenderly soothing and warming hug, as its lyricism takes you through an exploration of destined love’s ability to conquer all – including its usual battlefronts of time and space. – Jeanette Diaz

TodosAnimales - “Suficiente”

The passion project of Puerto Rican musician and producer José D. Vega, TodosAnimales kicks off the new year with a two-track single release. The lead song “Suficiente” is an effective introduction to their sound, which exists in a space between alt-pop and indie rock with generous chill-out electronic influences. A year ago, they released their fourth album in almost as many years, 333, and continued an exciting sonic evolution that started back in their 2020 debut. Vega is a talented multi-instrumentalist with a talent for channeling different genres and eras in ways that feel fresh, and these songs prove he still has much left to say and share with listeners. — Juan J. Arroyo

Ed Maverick - “c”

Following the surprise drop of last year’s ambitious 53-minute-long recording entitled LA NUBE EN EL JARDÍN, Ed Maverick has re-released another segment of his LP as an individual single called “c.” Brokenhearted torch songs may be familiar territory to the elusive singer-songwriter, but on “c,” Maverick shifts his focus to perfecting an adoring ode for the love of his life. Each verse reads like the passage of an intimate letter as the Chihuahua folk artist’s weary vocals thrum over a solitary guitar, and he namechecks all of the scenery that reminds him of his beloved (towering mountains, hills, and sprawling highways) as he awaits her return. – Nayeli Portillo

XIXA - “Xolo de Galáxia”

Psychedelic cumbia is in good hands now that XIXA is back in the game, showcasing what they do best in a track that does justice to their reputations. “Xolo de Galáxia” features surfy guitar lines alternating with charango-like synths over a deep bass groove and an easy-going rhythm. The Spanglish lyrics are sung in a melodic yet slightly lethargic style, giving it a dreamy quality. The track gets even more psychedelic as it progresses by letting distortion, effects, and sub-bass take the listener on a deeper journey. With “Xolo de Galáxia,” XIXA defends its position as an innovative cumbia unit. — Marcos Hassan

Kevin AMF, Yeri Mua, Uzielito Mix ft. DJ Kiire - “Primos”

Kevin AMF and Yeri Mua are giving primos a new meaning. The duo is ringing in the new year with their newest reggaeton track, “Primos.” Produced by Uzielito Mix and DJ Kiire, the bouncy, perreo-ready collaboration features the two Mexican stars trading shocking and risqué verses about a lowkey hookup with the neighbor disguising themselves as “primos” so their significant other doesn’t know. With an unsettling and unserious chorus like, “Me cacharon culeándome a mi primo / Pero yo no soy de Monterrey,” the song demands people’s attention. It’s a rowdy tactic that both Kevin and Yeri have learned to master over the last year. – Jeanette Hernandez

elito - “Pijamada”

Tijuana’s very own elito’s debut album is finally here. The 10-track project “Devagar,” released on Nov. 29, 2004, encompasses a year-long of work put in by the indie pop singer-songwriter. Visuals for his latest single “Pijamada,” featuring Manu Beker, represents two different worlds colliding: Pavia, Italy, where he has resided for the last seven years, and Mexico City, where his co-collaborator Beker is originally from. The video, which was shot remotely between the two artists, can be seen with them both wearing their pajamas and nighttime slippers on the streets of both cities. With Beker’s delicate vocals and elito’s catchy rhythm, the song flows flawlessly together. – Brenda Barrientos

Marki ft. Sofía Mora - “Ojos negros”

After a dynamic debut year, Buenos Aires-based artist Marki returns with a new song to demonstrate that his creative rollout isn’t losing any steam. Arriving right after Marki’s landmark 2024 debut YASS and an EP of extra B-sides, “Ojos Negros” offers a poignant contrast to the style of music fans have associated with Marki’s name, trading in the trap drums for more acoustics. He’s weaning away from the harsher, high-tempo rap sensibilities for something more audibly intimate, showcasing his range in songwriting. Marki is not shy of a singer and has no problem demonstrating his chops as a vocalist. YASS and the extended cut leaned more into the singer’s prowess in rapping and working with faster beats, but “Ojos Negros” takes its time in its presentation, presenting a transformative piece with a reserved yet explosive instrumental. The track is a surreal blend of genres, accompanied by a subtle and sweet feature from his Argentinian colleague Sofía Mora, making it a good palate cleanser for newer fans of Marki. – Alan Baez

Sila Lua - “YERBABUENA”

By the use of her soft, whispery voice, wrapped in captivating melodies, Sila Lua invites the listener to pay attention to her words, which are constantly comparing herself to “yerbabuena.” The pop track reflects the Spanish singer’s usual style, with the influence of Latin rhythms as background beats. Her upcoming album, to be released on Jan. 17, is bound to include other tracks that, just as this one, prove that Lua is used to wearing her heart on her sleeve. – Júlia Henn

Papaya - “Y Ahora Qué?”

Madrid-based indie rock ensemble Papaya is kicking off the year with a new single titled “Y Ahora Qué?,” a tale of love gone sour that rings with echoes of political dissidence. Penned and performed by Yanara Espinoza, whose roots stretch back to the Canary Islands and Chile, the song is a devilishly catchy slice of ’60s pop and spaghetti western guitars that’ll get stuck in your cerebral cortex for days. “El silencio no es mi fuerte / estoy siempre protestando y tirando la cazuela,” she shoots off defiantly, rebuking disrespect and reminding us to stand up for ourselves behind closed doors as fervently as we do in the streets. – Richard Villegas

DARKSIDE - “S.N.C.”

DARKSIDE just switched labels to the iconic Matador Records for the release of their upcoming third album, Nothing, out Feb. 28, and they also welcome drummer Tlacael Esparza as their official third member. Together with these announcements, they dropped “S.N.C.,” which stands for “still no center.” The track is a balancing act between understated club music and full-on funkadelia, featuring slap bass and clavinet à la Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” As the track builds up and up, we start getting excited about the possibilities of DARKSIDE’s Nothing in this new era. – Cheky

KING SAVAGGE, LUCK RA, PAULO LONDRA, JAIRO VERA, LIT KILLAH & BAYRON FIRE - “A 200 REMIX ARG”

The sun is just starting to shine out of the winter months, but King Savagge, Jairo Vera, and Bayron Fire have decided to call in the ultimate link-ups for a remix version of their hit “A200” that decided for us that we’re getting a head start on summer vibes. Ringing in new collaborations from artist sensations Luck Ra, Paulo Londra, and Lit Killah, the collective joins forces to create a powerhouse anthem that highlights the rising individual talents from Argentina to Chile. Creating added minutes of dance floor ready fun, the final remixed banger lengthens the originals’ reggaeton-infused mambo melody into an extended cut that make space for more fiery deliveries and flows from the Latin American MCs as they work their charm and detail the ways they are ready to go after the girls of their liking at full throttle speeds. – Jeanette Diaz

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