20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Álvaro Díaz to Buscabulla

05.23.25 at 10:33

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 Álvaro Díaz, Buscabulla, and Isabella Lovestory. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

Álvaro Díaz - “Paranoia”

Álvaro Díaz teamed up with hitmaker Tainy for a new collaboration called “Paranoia.” Like the song title suggests, it narrates a story of insecurity, paranoia, and all the intrusive thoughts that come when you’re in a one-sided relationship. With Tainy’s distorted production that features high-pitched synths and a thick beatbox paired with Díaz’s infectious wordplay, the duo delivers a track for those unsure what’s next in their relationship but are still clinging to false hopes. It’s also a taste of the singer’s upcoming new era. “This track marks the end of one era and the beginning of another,” he said about the new single. “I’m ready for ya’ll to see how this new project develops. I feel like I’m creating the best music I’ve ever made.” – Jeanette Hernandez

Buscabulla - “Te Fuiste”

As we keep counting down the days to the release of Se Amaba Así, Buscabulla’s sophomore album on Domino, the Boricua outfit now gives us “Te Fuiste.” Following the acoustic guitar-driven drama of the first single “El Camino,” they switched gears on “Te Fuiste” to give us a minimalistic upbeat jam with retro-futuristic touches. Raquel Berríos is deep in her feelings, going over her failed relationship from beginning to end and trying to spot what went wrong. Her loved one left, but she wants him back, and the song ends in a weightless sustained chord that just feels like an open door. – Cheky

Santiago Motorizado - “Google Maps”

Santiago Motorizado, frontman of the beloved Argentine band El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming solo album El Retorno with “Google Maps.” On his latest single, the singer-songwriter melds the sounds of slow-tempo, twangy alt-rock with spacey, psychedelic guitar solos as he retraces his footsteps across the outskirts of Buenos Aires in an attempt to relive a deep connection with a former love. But alas, even with the most precise forms of modern technology on hand, the only thing Santiago can really do is keep replaying a memory. – Nayeli Portillo

Samantha Schmütz & Adrian Younge - “Samba Canção”

On “Samba Canção,” Brazilian vocalist Samantha Schmütz finds common ground with producer Adrian Younge by celebrating vinyl records. The song is a slow jam with R&B flourishes aided by warm organ chords and flutes that give the track an elegant and sleek quality. Schmütz shines through with her vocals, displaying a beautiful and expressive instrument that contributes to the smooth and jazzy vibe. Transitioning between a classic soul groove and a bossa-inspired shuffle, the song plays with musical sophistication, giving it true depth. Songs like “Samba Canção” are a celebration of music itself. — Marcos Hassan

Isabella Lovestory - "Gorgeous"

In a bold display of confidence and stylized attitude, the latest from Honduran-Canadian singer Isabella Lovestory oozes a brilliant layer of conviction and ambitious production. Isabella Lovestory is on a victory lap. Her latest track in a string of loosies has proven her affinity for mixing unconventional samples with influences of older party tracks, utilizing thematic elements of rolling drums and tantalizing synth progressions to capture themes of hedonism, self-pleasure, and embracing one’s true self despite potential judgment. “Gorgeous” lives up to its name, offering breathtaking production with airy vocals that bring out nothing but pure confidence from the artist. What makes “Gorgeous” stand out from its contemporaries is its focus on more laxed and focused production with drums that sound straight out of an early 2000s Chicago blend and minimal samples that bring together a web of dynamic sounds in its progression. “Gorgeous” connects with its preceding singles with the synth motif she utilizes periodically, making each track feel aligned and teasing stronger narrative elements in her upcoming project. – Alan Baez

Melody - “El Apagón”

Fresh off slaying, though being vastly underappreciated on, Eurovision with her tremendously successful song “Esa Diva” and cementing her status as one of the most relevant Iberoamerican pop queens, Melody presents her latest single. Right off the start, “El Apagón” lets us know we are in for a ride worth putting our speakers at risk by turning them to the max. Guaranteed to turn any dancefloor into a blast of positive energy and joy, its production is deserving of any current or past pop legend. Empowering lyrics like “I’ve hit rock bottom, but it’s my turn to come out,” and “nobody will ever make me cry,” will turn this new single into a staple of self-love for anyone who needs a pick-me up after a rough patch. The verses develop over a seductive beat, leading up to a tremendously explosive chorus and an instrumental breakdown in the third part of the song that will inspire you to bust out your best moves and release any worries or frustrations that once held you back. Melody proves once again that she is a hitmaker, continues her winning streak, and as one of the verses in “El Apagón” says, her engine isn’t getting cold anytime soon. – La Morra Lisa

La Favi feat. Foudequesh - “Sticky”

La Favi’s final single preview ahead of her upcoming album release Adicta is here to remind us that summer’s around the corner and the temperature is about to go all the way up. On “Sticky,” she enlists Mexican experimental artist Foudeqush to bring this slowed and reverbed cumbia-trap to life. Wrapped in layers of sensuality and allure, the single finds its power through the duo’s hypnotically hushed and luscious vocals that carry out its lyrical reclamation. It’s a salacious anthem for the libertines caught in the liminal space where pleasure and the feminine mystique reign supreme. — Jeanette Diaz

Wendy Sulca & Tito Silva Music - “Devorando”

Peruvian artists Wendy Sulca and Tito Silva Music join forces in this highly entertaining track that exudes summer vibes with its quick and electronic beats. The Brazilian funk sample used in the song only adds to the feeling of sunshine and ocean air that the duo so expertly injects into the tune. As short as “Devorando” is, the joy it provides to the listener is lasting and encourages us to enjoy the chill moments in life and, maybe, ask for one more drink before leaving the party. – Júlia Henn

Marina Melo - “Vênus”

São Paulo singer-songwriter Marina Melo has unveiled her third LP, Ousar Abrir, or Dare to Open, a meditation on time as an inevitable and unrelenting current, in some cases bringing people to bloom and others eroding us like stones in a river. Though all songs were crafted on guitar, inventive producer and composer Luiza Brina constructs unique worlds around Melo’s ruminations, leaning gleefully into glitchy weirdness and orchestral majesty. The marriage of their talents reaches critical mass on “Vênus,” a tale of lust and longing that swells from sparse folk-pop into a massively catchy alt-R&B banger. “Alinha a tua Vênus con a mia / minha palabra con a sua,” teases Melo, inviting a paramour to align with the power of their joint femininity, fitting perfectly within each other, like a lock finding its missing key. — Richard Villegas

Dos Perlas - “Sabe Que Va”

When they first met, Rick Moon and Musiana felt sparks deeper than just as musicians and singer-songwriters looking to collaborate — although that sentiment was there as well. Years after becoming a couple, they’ve decided to formalize that collab in the form of Dos Perlas. Their first single under the duo project is “Sabe Que Va,” and was written in those early days when their love was blossoming and still felt like a leap. Produced in-house at San Juan Sound, the track’s musicality is steady and buoyed by Musiana’s emotion-filled, unwavering voice, as it’s told most from her POV. But her feelings wouldn’t exist without Rick’s presence, and therein lies the basis of their union both in song and life. — Juan J. Arroyo

Bocho, Roila, LARÓ - “Anoche”

Chilean artist and producer Bocho and Spanish singer-songwriter Riola are back in action and preparing to drop their first joint album. To give listeners a glimpse of what they’ve been working on, the duo released a highly anticipated double-single. One of the singles is “Anoche,” featuring Chilean artist LARÓ, which highlights rich melodic acoustic guitar chords and gushy earworm verses. With the trio’s charming pop voices, the new love ballad is perfect to serenade someone you’re smitten with. It also doubles as a good song candidate for your next karaoke night. – Jeanette Hernandez

PAMÉ - “555”

Dominican newcomer PAMÉ announced the release of her four-track debut EP Static Blush just in time for her participation at this summer’s second NYC edition of Ruidosa Festival, and its lead single is a smooth serving of romantic intuition. “555”’s R&B influence is infused with breezy Caribbean stylings, creating a velvety backdrop for PAMÉ to softly sing contrasting lyrics about finally reading the universe’s signs. “I’m not here to save a son, I’m not here to raise a man,” she croons with a bite, and she’s ready to take back her worth and leave a man who ultimately won’t change. – Cheky

La Paloma - “Si No Me Muevo”

Madrid indie rock trio La Paloma toggles between existential crisis and accepting your fate on their new single “Si No Me Muevo.” The single comes as the band’s first official release since last year’s slacker rock-esque “Vuelta a casa.” This time around, La Paloma conjures up memories of early 2000s pop-punk with chunky, distortion-drenched riffs and melodious choruses as frontman Nico Yubero’s restless energy transfers into every biting bar: “No sé lo que estoy buscando/pero no lo encuentro aquí…Si no me muevo, nadie me ve/ya lo he soñado más de una vez.” – Nayeli Portillo

Diana Flores - “Sólo Contigo”

Peruvian singer Diana Flores has shared a mellow tune about discovering feelings for a friend, and how that can only lead to bad things. From the first notes, “Sólo Contigo” provides an intimate vibe, thanks to the strings-simulating synths, while lightly strummed electric guitars give depth to the groove once it kicks in. Flores’s vocals are expressive and full-bodied, capturing a romantic quality as well as gravitas as she effortlessly shows a great range of dynamics. “Sólo Contigo” may express feelings for a friend that might not be able to consummate, the music seems to want to risk it all. — Marcos Hassan

Robi - “Cafe Barcelona”

Carrying 2 million monthly Spotify streams, a well-crafted social media presence, a Young Miko cosign, and nary an album under his belt, the latest from Puerto Rican-born artist ROBI showcases the growth in his artistry. “Cafe Barcelona” is the latest in a string of loosies from the singer-songwriter, and leans into sincere songwriting through pop sensibilities. A departure from the reggaeton sounds that defined his early contributions, “Cafe Barcelona” is ROBI embracing a softer side to his music. The track utilizes minimal pop production and focuses heavily on the vocals. His soft-spoken chorus and sincere lyricism capture young love from a nostalgic perspective, making for an intimate listen. This is ROBI establishing the mood for a larger narrative we’ve yet to see. With the sense of style he’s been exploring, the type of artists he’s been collabing with recently, such as Gale and Sebastian Yatra, ROBI is shaping this upcoming arc in his music career with a profound sense of care and tenderness, and “Cafe Barcelona” gives us the most honest peek into his vision. – Alan Baez

Adri Torron - “Fok Up”

Beware of listening to Adri Torrón’s vibrant new single the next time you are having a quiet night in with friends or it might spiral into a wild party, as the song says. It will have the neighbors, your mom, and the cops dancing along. Aligning with the narrative of the lyrics, “Fok Up” opens with a calm beat that quickly escalates into a pulsating and hypnotic pop sound, and just as any really good night, it takes a sharp dip into reggaeton territory that displays her Latin American roots, which will have your hips unexpectedly following suit. The Dominican singer-songwriter is proof that young voices have a lot to offer in el movimiento, as she boldly takes space with this youthful and powerful sound that even if you don’t feel like getting “Fok Up,” it can be the perfect companion as you’re strutting down the street with your headphones. In terms of promoting her new material, she has rolled the dice, has luck on her side, and you don’t want to miss her next move. – La Morra Lisa

Pablopablo, Macario Martinez - “Ojos de Ajonjoli”

Madrid-based emerging indie act pablopablo joins forces with Mexican breakout artist Macario Martinez for his final single to preview ahead of his debut album Canciones En Mi. Inspired by Uruguayan folk icon Eduardo Mateo, the two talents strike a harmonic emotional chord as their guitar melodies become enmeshed with their sentimental lyricism. The song is a rumination on longing, trying to process the physical pain that comes with nostalgic memory. As they both take turns narrating, the presence of their once partner starts to feel stronger as the memories of better times take over — only they’re already gone, and their affectionate desire decided to show up a little too late. — Jeanette Diaz

manny moura - “Object of Desire”

The calm, relaxing melody of Manny Moura’s latest release, “Object of Desire,” along with her quiet, soothing voice, are enough to trick the listener into thinking this song is just a lighthearted tune with no real weight behind it. Once the lyrics make their way to our ears, though, we are faced with a deeply intimate account of how challenging it is for any girl’s self-esteem to never be seen as the titular object of desire. Moura’s lyrics echo the thoughts of a generation of girls raised on true love stories, but who never seem to find it themselves, that are making their frustrations known through social media platforms in whatever way they can, be it short vertical videos or a hard-hitting song with a delicate melody. – Júlia Henn

Diobél - “Kola Real”

With “Kola Real,” Dominican singer and producer Diobél offers the first taste of Summer 2025, unspooling a giddy tale of riverside romance over atmospheric indie bachata. A standout from his new album, Amuletos, the song channels the popular brand of soda pop to illustrate cheeky colmadón flirtations, evoking discreet homoerotic glances and hipsters on motoconchos. A zooming bachata guitar runs throughout “Kola Real,” dancing atop a bed of synths and thumping R&B kicks, which begs the question: What if Alex Anwandter had been born in San Francisco de Macorís? — Richard Villegas

Laya Kalima, Rafa Pabön - “La Bori”

Four years after it was first conceived, Laya Kalima and Rafa Pabön’s rousing collab “La Bori” finally sees the light of day, and it arrives with perfect timing. With Puerto Rico now on more people’s minds than ever, thanks to a certain album from January, the song’s tropical and traditional sounds, coupled with its lyrical ode to boricua women — especially their fire and tenacity — are ripe for breaking out this summer. The two talented artists are already doubling down on its appeal, with plans to perform it at next month’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade on the float of Toñita’s, the famous Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican social club. — Juan J. Arroyo

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