20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Álvaro Díaz to Villano Antillano

Slow and focused, the latest from Puerto-Rican singer, rapper Álvaro Díaz manages to eclipse a larger narrative surrounding kinship. “PIENSO EN TI.” is the focus track off Díaz’ brand new project, OMAKASE, a larger than life body of contemporary Spanish dance-hits, and spacey expeditions of intimate songwriting. OMAKASE comes off the heels of his previous body of work, SAYONARA, continuing playing off a Japanese language-inspired motif, with an equally playful energy to match.

“Pienso En Ti.” marks a pivotal moment beyond the album, but for Díaz on a deeper level as it’s the final collaboration between him and his longtime collaborator and friend, Milkman. Milkman was a jack of all trades, skating the lines of visual and audio art as a producer and creative director and over the years he had built a strong creative relationship with Díaz . The song, along with a music video, captures that creative trust between the two and highlights how much Díaz was inspired by Milkman visually. In a way, this is Diaz following Milkman’s lead, traversing multiple mediums, in this case genres, and refusing to be put in a box. It wears multiple influences proudly for a display of artistic integrity.  – Alan Baez

Grimey, yet layered. Loud, but not noisy. Raw and focused, the latest single from Ecuadorian artist Jombriel is Alternative Perreo at its finest. While blowing up in your respected music scene at the age of 17 can be a deterring moment for anyone, Jombriel has matured over the years, cultivating a distinct flavor of alternative, gritty Perreo that’s resulted in a more underground respected sound. “COMBI COMPLETA” comes not even a full year following his explosive debut project, JOMBRIEL DE LA SUERTE, following a series of team-ups through singles such as “TUMBENLA” & “LA TRI.” “COMBI COMPLETA” continues the collaborative spirit that Jom has been riding, calling on fellow dembow rapper JØTTA for an equally passionate exchange of bars and brags. Playful in its orientation, Jom effortlessly combs through the realms of Dembow, underground bass, and Perreo for something unfiltered and stylish, demonstrating a handle on the ambitious direction his music is taking.  – Alan Baez

Louie El Ser fully spirals into the ugly, obsessive side of heartbreak on “Perra (i wanna be your dog).” On her latest, we’re getting a jagged proto-punk pivot that trades in her usual dreamy electronic textures for more raw percussion, distorted guitars, and equally emotional chaos. Inspired by looping The Stooges while trying (and failing) to get over someone (we’ve all been there), the track captures the exhausting mental gymnastics of wanting an emotionally unavailable person so badly you start embarrassing yourself a little in the process. Built over a restless go-go bounce and unflinching rock en español grit, “Perra” skips over pastiche romanticization of delusion and fully throws itself into it. The repetition cycles until it becomes part of the unraveling itself, mimicking the obsessive thought loops of knowing something is doomed while continuing to chase it anyway. It’s the kind of emotional spiral that should probably stay inside your notes app, but way too fun to lose your mind to blasted at full volume. — Jeanette Diaz

Bebé and Ana Karina Sebastião slip into a beautifully fluid chemistry on “Se Tocar,” one of the most quietly sensual moments off Bebé’s new album Dissolução. Pulling inspiration from jazz-tinted indie, soulful R&B and Brazilian musical traditions, the track unfolds through deep rhythmic basslines from Sebastião, subtle beat-driven grooves, and breezy arrangements drifting naturally around Bebé’s vocals. The song carries a warmth that makes its intimacy feel earned, as touch becomes its own form of communication for the feelings words never fully say out loud. Even in its tenderness, the track stays emotionally grounded, letting closeness exist without trying to possess or over-define it. No dramatics or overwhelming declarations, just vulnerability and desire settling naturally into place. At its core, “Se Tocar” feels like finding a small moment of peace inside another person and trusting yourself enough to stay there. As one slice of Dissolução, it’s the kind of centerpiece that makes us want to linger inside Bebé’s world a little longer too. — Jeanette Diaz

Colombian avant-rapper Jambeau is on fire. No, really, that’s the name of his upcoming album, El Niño de Fuego, arriving on June 19 following a string of singles that swerve through trap, reggaeton, and sensual afrobeats. His latest romp is “TúMbaLa,” a perreo scorcher inspired by the demon Buziraco that reclaims tales of ruin and perdition to instead inspire nocturnal mischief. “Tumba la casa,” he spits over a clanging beat, seducing the listener to step out and shake some ass, because, ultimately, “Pa dormir está la tumba.” — Richard Villegas

After a pandemic hiatus, Bogotá indie heroes Encarta 98 are stepping back into the spotlight with a new album swirling with dreampop and shoegaze. Their latest single, “Nada va a cambiar,” explores the contradictions of a love embedded so deep in your bones that even moments of hurt can refract empathy and nostalgia. It’s a tale of contradiction unspooled over distorted ’90s guitars and shuffling drums that invite you to dance and contemplate a cloudy inner world, like a Breeders throwback or your new favorite gem of Rolo rock. — Richard Villegas

Karaiya’s rise from busking in historic Old San Juan to now being a budding Latin ballad promise has been nothing short of impressive. Her newest single, “Tengo Un Coco Contigo,” is her dreamiest track yet. Over folksy guitar strums and cheeky brass notes she serenades the object of her affection, soothingly counting the ways they’ve made her fall head over heels. Her dulcet voice pleases the eardrum, and she reminds even the most cynical listener how rewarding it is to see young artists investing their talent in creating original music for genres not typically associated with youth. They’re not inherently stale, they just needed new energy, and Karaiya is bringing it. — Juan J. Arroyo

Julio Caesar is back with a sad boy summer anthem. In his newest release, “regalametutiempo,” the Mexican-American crooner explores sierreño with pop hues that make the track melodic and infectious. With his signature and inviting vocals, Caesar has the je ne sais quoi to create a melancholic yet enthralling música mexicana track that pulls heartstrings—especially after a breakup. As he sings “Mami, regresa el reloj / A cuando solo éramos tú y yo / Todo era diferente,” with his heart on his sleeve, Caesar demonstrates yet again that he’s not shy of putting his raw emotions out there on a solid sierreño track. “regalametutiempo” will be part of Caesar’s next album, out in June. — Jeanette Hernandez

Sure, Christian Nodal has been in headlines for what feels like everything but his music lately. But at the root of it all, the mariacheño singer knows how to deliver a passionate música mexicana love song. In his new offering, “Una Mujer Como la Suya,” he shows that he still has it by professing his love for someone who isn’t his. As far as the visuals go, the music video features what appears to be an interpretive dancer, giving more of an artistic touch to the emotive ballad that captivates its listeners from the start. Overall, it’s one of Nodal’s most recent heartbreaking songs that hits you in the heart, whether or not you’re going through a breakup. And that’s what an artist does—makes you feel emotions that you’re not even going through. “Una Mujer Como la Suya” is part of Nodal’s newest album Bandera Blanca, out now. — Jeanette Hernandez

Do you have a ritual to get over heartbreak? No? Don’t worry, Quelle Rox has you covered. The up-and-coming Brooklyn-based Miami artist is dropping a new EP this year, and she’s setting the tone with “Mint Cherry Red (pa’ olvidarte amor),” a bilingual slow jam where she decides to feel free right after ending a relationship. Penned by Quelle Rox herself and co-produced alongside Bryan Cardenas and Will Fisher, the song is a soulful R&B-meets-dream pop slow-burner with a sick groove where Quelle Rox slips into a dress, goes to the club, smokes a little, drinks a lot, maybe even kisses her girlfriends, all to take back her power and chose herself whenever romantic love dies. – Cheky

São Paulo-born, Brighton-based artist and former Wax Machine lead Lau Ro managed to write their upcoming sophomore album Lau while recovering from a debilitating form of Flat Back Syndrome, during any possible window between pain and sedation, and judging from their new single “Simplesmente,” the result is outstanding. The song inhabits a similar spectral, timeless space as fellow Mexican Summer labelmate Jessica Pratt, but heavily inspired by bossa nova and MBP. Led by delicate acoustic guitar strums and adorned by distant percussion, an emotive double bass, and breathtaking string arrangements, “Simplesmente” is Ro’s whispered plea for spontaneity. By the end of the track, we’re gifted a blissful instrumental moment with added flute lines that make us surrender to beauty. – Cheky

Neutro Shorty continues to surprise fans with his seamless transition from rap to salsa, proving that his voice and passion were always meant for the genre. With every release, he brings authenticity, emotion, and respect to salsa’s rich tradition while still maintaining the essence that made him stand out in urban music. On his latest track, “Un Consejo,” Neutro joins forces with salsa icon Gilberto Santa Rosa, a collaboration that feels both natural and symbolic. After all, who better to offer advice about love than the “Caballero de la Salsa”? Featured on his new album El Disco de Salsa, the song represents one of the project’s most meaningful moments, uniting two generations through heartfelt lyrics and timeless salsa rhythms. “Un Consejo” reaffirms Neutro Shorty’s deep respect for salsa and his commitment to honoring the genre while evolving as an artist. – Natasha Melina Argudo 

Martox steps fully into a vulnerable lover-boy era with the aching intimacy of “Quererte Y Nunca Tenerte,” a bachata focus track that captures the emotional weight of loving without guarantees. Fueled by heartbreak, longing, and the fear of rejection, Martox embraces the idea of giving everything for the person they want, proving that love is still worth the risk. The song reflects a feeling many listeners know intimately, balancing passion with pain through deeply emotional storytelling. Rooted in Dominican tradition, the track is anchored in a signature “pop caribeño” sound where bachata-bolero, R&B, and electronic textures blend seamlessly as a living expression of dominicanidad. Using bachata’s melodic sorrow and rhythmic backbone as a vessel for love and duality, Martox pushes the genre into new territory while honoring its roots.With this sound, they position themselves at the forefront of Latin music’s evolving future, where cultural preservation and global emotional resonance coexist. – Natasha Melina Argudo

French-Dominican singer-songwriter Lena Dardelet steps into a vibrant new era with “Lunes de Bachata,” an irresistible collaboration with Dominican duo Repike that transforms classic bachata into something fresh and electrifying. Overflowing with infectious percussion, sleek urban influences, and undeniable Caribbean warmth, the track feels designed for packed dance floors and late-night singalongs, capturing the spark between two people who communicate more through rhythm and movement than words. Lena’s vocal performance becomes the centerpiece of the song, effortlessly gliding between sensuality and melodic intensity, giving the track a dreamlike quality without ever losing its playful pulse. Her light tone collides perfectly with Repike’s celebratory charisma, creating a dynamic chemistry that keeps the energy constantly in motion as the song builds into an explosion of flirtation, joy, and escapism. “Lunes de Bachata” embraces the spirit of bachata while injecting it with a contemporary edge that feels youthful, spontaneous, and impossible to sit still through. – Júlia Henn

Colombian experimental collective Meridian Brothers and genre-blurring electronic project Mexican Institute of Sound dive headfirst into a dazzling retro fantasia with “Ritmo Babilonia,” a collaboration featuring Beck that feels like a time capsule launched directly from the sweaty dance floors and psychedelic beach parties of late-1970s Latin America. The track channels the eccentric groove and art-funk energy of legendary bands like Talking Heads while still remaining deeply rooted in the tropical rhythms and vibrant spirit that inspired the upcoming collaborative album Ruido Tovar. Every second of “Ritmo Babilonia” bursts with color and movement, including in the accompanying music video, embracing the adventurous experimentation of the era that inspired it while proving that the spirit of funky, boundary-breaking Latin music remains just as exhilarating decades later.  – Júlia Henn

Through the monstrous success Xavi has garnered during the last few years, a clue into his new era had been planted all along, a dose of love hinted at in the heart-shaped necklace he often rocks that would come to name his upcoming album and this most recent single “Dosis.” In the heartbreaking launch from his new album, where he collabs with fellow friends and some of the biggest names in the industry, the already iconic guitar sound he dominates takes a turn into a soft atmosphere where a declaration of love and dependance states “if your kisses are poison, pour them with ice because I’ll drink them.” In what appears to be a subdued romantic song at first, Xavi manages to present instrument virtuosity, bear his heart wide open while his voice powerfully soars and echoes through a stunningly produced environment and he also effortlessly switches back and forth between delivery rhythms from a romantic and slow pace to a rap-like and stylish bounce that is sure to turn “Dosis” into an iconic track to be sung by heartbroken lovers by themselves in lonely nights as well as arenas filled with his extremely loyal, passionate and deservedly earned fanbase that is sure to take taste of this and will be hooked asking for more.  – La Morra Lisa 

“What Columbus didn’t annihilate he sanctified with anesthesia” is the very strong first verse  that Argentine-born artist Baby Yors delivers to kick the door open (with high heel boots that is) for “PENELOPE,” a track from his album “Americano.” And what is advertised is surely delivered through what sounds like a modern Bruce Springsteen if he actually slayed, starting off with a sneaky piano alongside some discreet latin-sounding percussions that lay the stage for a full on rock experience that just keeps on building up and climbing through beautiful choruses, a diverse arrange of extremely critical and poetic verses that seem spiteful of U.S. culture and paradoxically deeply enamoured with it. With an accompanying film that feels like a crazy weekend in Vegas alongside cameos from drag legends like Joella, comedians like Mario Adrion and a diverse and beautiful array of characters, stunning fashion and choreography, “PENELOPE” not only functions as a powerful and honest critique of today’s world but it also is sure to make you the stand out taste-maker at the music video night with your crew of misfits in what we are sure is the most stylish living room in your area. Don’t miss out on Baby Yors steps, who clearly is ahead of the curve and generously invites us to jump in on a red, white and blue convertible headed to the other side of the rainbow. – La Morra Lisa

While her image and attitude has helped Villano Antillano become one of the key artists of our time, it’s been her skills as a musician and performer that have secured her place there. “Bichifokel” is a hot one where she demonstrates everything she’s capable of: Rapping? She does about six types of flows on this one, in Spanish and English. Singing? She sings with minimal effects and with heavy vocoder, and she even goes into a spoken word section. With a beat that harks back to the vintage digital productions of Luny Tunes with a slight modern flair, “Bichifokel” is a platform for La Villana to uplift her image as a badass seductress, and with good probability, this could easily become her new signature song. — Marcos Hassan

Some artists take their time to make and share their music with the world, but once they do, they release a banger. This is the case with Aguascalientes, Mexico’s OG grunge revisionists Car Crash Sisters, who maintain their core while advancing their songwriting skills. On “Overpressure,” they present fuzzy guitars and mosh-ready tempos, while the vocals hooks are clear and singalong. As a result, it keeps the spirit, but the band injects its own flavor to it. With “Overpressure,” CCS shows that there’s more to guitar music in Mexico than we have explored. — Marcos Hassan