20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Bruses to PJ Sin Suela

Bruses - “I’m So Happy”

Killing two birds with one stone, three-time Latin Grammy nominee Bruses skillfully criticizes a hypocritical society whose only goal is surface-level happiness and releases a beautifully creepy music video just in time for Halloween. In “I’m So Happy,” the Mexican artist blends alternative trap, pop, and electronic sounds to fit into the disruptive style she is already known for, as she satirizes the harmful culture of toxic positivity with acid and cutting lyrics, like the ironic “I’m so happy I could die.” Making such good music while remaining true to herself, Bruses definitely deserves a spot on your playlist. And don’t sleep on the music video, which is a masterpiece of its own. – Júlia Henn

PJ Sin Suela - “ES LA HORA”

Ahead of Puerto Rico’s contentious 2024 general elections, various artists from the archipelago have released music calling out corruption and the lack of resources and investment in local communities from the current PNP political party, like Bad Bunny with “Una Velita.” Now, as he wraps up the North American tour for his latest album Toda Epoca Tiene Su Encanto, Puerto Rican rapper and doctor PJ Sin Suela dropped an anthem of his own. Teaming up with alt-perreo darling RaiNao, PJ dives in and out of licks, calling out the corruption of local government and the policies that have led to the underfunding and closures of public schools, the privatization of the island’s beaches and electrical grid, and increase foreign commercial investment and tax breaks for wealthy non-residents. Throughout the track, he expresses his love for his homeland and paints a picture of the Puerto Rico that natives deserve to live in, one that is self-governed by and for Puerto Ricans. RaiNao’s silky vocals, hums, and echoes send shivers up the spine as the duo sing the chorus and title of the track, “ES LA HORA,” encouraging locals to use their voices and vote for the island’s future. – Rosy Alvarez

Bodine - “Titerita”

Puerto Rican baddie Bodine exudes confidence and sensuality. In her newest perreo-ready single “Titerita,” her mesmerizing, sultry vocals are the star on top of a reggaeton pop song that demands a sexy night out. From her fierce and iconic looks (including a caution tape two-piece) to her hard-hitting yet sultry vocal flow, the fresh track checks the boxes of a go-to reggaeton hit – including a shout-out to La Mama de los Pollitos, Ivy Queen. From R&B to reggaeton, it’s clear she’s ready to take on any genre, and we’re more than ready to hear what’s next. – Jeanette Hernandez

MJ Nebreda, DJ Kelvin el Sacamostro - “Puta Romántica”

Salting the rim of a lime margarita and redefining the concept of hedonism through eclectic drum loops and vibrant siren samples, MJ Nebreda is proving, in her own specific way, that everything is romantic. “Puta Romántica” is, in essence, another theme song championing rising Venezuelan artist MJ Nebreda, as well as the lifestyle that powers her music. Aesthetically, it’s a never-ending experience of the dance floor, bringing banging, vivacious beats and catchy choruses to wherever your speaker is allowed. But thematically speaking, it’s a sonically sound reminder that not everyone can handle the life of a “puta romántica” and how that lifestyle extends to art in more ways than one. The latest sample from Nebreda’s upcoming project Corazón Vol.1 is another demonstration of her dynamic energy put into every element of the song, making for another diverse yet consistent entry to her never-ending summer catalog. – Alan Baez

J Noa - “Su Lady (feat. Israel B)”

Coinciding with the beginning of her European tour this week, J Noa links up with Spanish rapper Israel B on the slick “Su Lady.” The Dominican artist melts over her boo, acknowledging all the ways he makes her feel special, but she’s aware of the temptations that put her relationship in danger. Luckily, Israel B sets the record straight and ensures her that, no matter how many girls come his way, she’ll always be the real deal. It’s a human story of romance to the beat of an 808-blasting hip-hop beat. — Cheky

Dariell Cano - “Mujer en Llamas”

Rising sierreño star Dariell Cano has returned to share his latest single, “Mujer en Llamas.” A lovelorn ballad, the young artist laments over a past love that has come to burn out. Now left alone with only the ashes of memories, it is through his bellowed emotional croons, rhythmic guitar, and deep bass that mimics a beating heart that he carries through a longing-hazed melody – trying to keep hold of any remaining shared memories that won’t slip away through his fingers. The accompanying video plays into the theme, as rapid lo-fi, interspliced clips create a dizzying and disorienting atmosphere that often accompanies the healing process. Between nature and city, light and dark, it parallels the existence of two truths existing at one. While he tries to make sense of love lost, he finds gratitude in the engrained memories that now take its place that will last a lifetime.  – Jeanette Diaz

Los Rarxs - “Fruta Prohibida”

Los boys are back! Two years after the release of their debut album, Puerto Rican alt-R&B/rock/trap/you-name-it band Los Rarxs have dropped their sophomore effort, Fruta Prohibida, and a music video for its title track. The new LP is a nine-track platter of the eclectic sound and saucy lyricism that the trio have made their own and has helped them stand out: a fusion of pop, reggaetón, club, trip-hop, reggae dub, and even some boricua folk stylings. They’re one of the most versatile groups in the island’s thriving indie scene, and the chemistry between their individual distinctive styles continues to yield music that keeps old and new fans alike coming back for another taste. — Juan J. Arroyo

La Guru - “Pendejo”

An angry heartbreak anthem for us to sing (scream) along with! The Colombian artist, singer, and producer La Guru has released her newest single from her upcoming album Lágrimas Dulces. “Pendejo” features La Guru’s raw emotional performance as she recounts her past toxic relationship, blended with a reggaeton-style beat and classic Latine guitars. “This song is about embracing the pain, but also reclaiming your power after someone has disrespected and hurt you,” La Guru said in the press release. “It’s about realizing your own value and refusing to let that pain define you.” The track is filled with powerful confidence and undeniable anger as the singer reflects on that toxic ex, how he failed her, and how much better she deserves. It’s the perfect f*ck you breakup song! – Sofia Viera

Funsize, Jonás - “La Noche Es Eterna”

Musically speaking, the Dominican Republic is always popping, but the country’s central El Cibao region is usually slept on. Sure, the likes of Diego Raposo and Mula have made a splash, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover La Vega natives Funsize and Jonás weaving immersive electronic music and sexy, full-on panty-dropping R&B. In fact, the pair just teamed up for a new single titled “La Noche Es Eterna,” delivering a bone-rattling dose of drum&bass that celebrates late night revelry while warning about the perilous waters of excess. The kaleidoscopic track is ultimately less of a cautionary tale and more an invitation to shake ass responsibly. – Richard Villegas

Microhm - “Colapso”

Leslie García, aka Microhm, continues her experimental streak with Metathesis, her second EP released this year. “Colapso” carries on her explorations of rhythm into unknown territories. In this case, we hear a rapidly mutating dembow that feels like Aphex Twin mangling Luny Tunes beats from back in the day while pitch-black drones and tinkering synths pepper this cut to transform into a sweaty extravaganza. By putting more emphasis on texture rather than melody but keeping the rhythm in the booty department, this adventurous Mexican electronic producer  manages to hybridize the physicality and intellectualism of dance music. — Marcos Hassan

Yulia Song - “Ven a Mi Casa”

Korean-born singer Yulia Song turns up the romantic and chill vibes with her latest single, “Ven a Mi Casa.” Living in Ecuador for over 23 years, the artist uses nostalgic pop and rhythmic sounds and combines them with sweet but daring lyrics focused on a romantic pursuit. The smooth tune might also take you back in time a few years, as it feels slightly reminiscent of early 2000s bubbly pop. Whatever the case may be, “Ven a Mi Casa” is a great song to dance to along with your friends or that one person you might be thinking a bit too much about. – Júlia Henn

La Zorra Zapata - “Quema o Ilumina”

“Quema o Ilumina” is the title track and final release off Nuria Zapata’s new album by the same name. At first, the single envelops listeners into an experiential journey where the singer confronts the consequences of her actions. As guitar and percussions wade into the track, the feeling transforms from heavy to hopeful as she accepts that the mistakes one makes can also serve as the guiding light in their path. Zapata’s melismatic lyrical delivery and vocal inflections are reminiscent of a spiritual canto, while fluttering synths float in the background, creating a gentle yet entrancing atmosphere. The Peruvian singer explores, and even simplifies, some of life’s emotional complexities through the creation of mantra-adjacent songwriting and layers of vocals, synths, and instrumentals that penetrate the mind and inner world. – Rosy Alvarez

Estevie - “Cowboy Rockstar”

Estevie’s not afraid of being vulnerable. Her newest ballad “Cowboy Rockstar” shows another side of her musicianship, amplifying her characteristic vibrato vocals on top of an acoustic guitar soundscape. By peeling back the song’s production and keeping it minimalist, she can showcase her unique and harmonized vocals as she sings a heartbreaking song about loneliness. “It tells the story of someone who manifests their once hopeful dreams into a successful career but then struggles to navigate their new, often lonely reality,” she said about the song. “The pressures of fame have changed who they once were, now finding themselves lost and trying to cope with whatever vices are around – while also fighting to hold onto something, a person, memory, faith, or whatever it may be, that keeps them grounded and guided from losing themselves completely even at the highest, most unrecognizable moments.” Overall, “Cowboy Rockstar” demonstrates a more mature side of the rising Gen Z artist, continuously proving she’s more than meets the eye. – Jeanette Hernandez

Reyna Tropical - “Conocerla”

After an enthralling tour season, Reyna Tropical celebrates the victory lap of releasing her debut album Malegria with an inspired video for the stand-out “Conocerla.” Malegria was released earlier this year and explored the different avenues of Tropical’s queer identity and the intersections with her cultural upbringing. Los Angeles-based singer and guitarist Fabi Reyna has spent the last six years cultivating artistic spaces for marginalized voices, the latest being a music video for one of her most powerful tracks off the LP. “Conocerla” is one of the more electronic-inspired cuts from the project, incorporating a hypnotic drum loop over the weeping strums of Reyna’s guitar. Her vocals blend with a creeping chord progression for an ethereal experience that paints a dreary painting of the subtle yet beautiful queer experience. – Alan Baez

Fernando Lagreca - “Shapeforms”

Veteran Barcelona-based Uruguayan producer Fernando Lagreca is about to drop his newest album Time on his own Beautiful Accident imprint, and he takes a look back to the ‘90s with his latest single, “Shapeforms.” The song has one foot on psych-pop and the other on The Chemical Brothers-like breakbeats, and it’s built with circular synth motifs and ethereal vocals put against dynamic drumming. With “Shapeforms,” Lagreca manages to create a luminous, enveloping atmosphere that lifts us off the ground and to the clouds. — Cheky

Loyal Lobos - “Museo”

Colombian avant garde artist Loyal Lobos released her latest compilation Loba Vol. 2, and with it, shared a striking new track with “Museo.” A blended fixture of both sound and emotion, the entrancing track brings us a hybrid of electro-pop meets Brazilian baile funk to create a dancefloor moment of euphoric worship. Lyrically, it moves through an empowering narrative of reveling in someone’s passionate desire towards you, devotion levels that rival that of paintings or deities that find themselves around museum walls — even if it’s just for a night. Its visuals add to the thematics, as they encapsulate the singer as a figment of luminous art contrasted in night-visioned nature surroundings, shifting the viewer to hypnotically focus solely on her and join in on the adoration. – Jeanette Diaz

YANCYABRÍL - “Back to Black”

Dominican and native New Yorker YANCYABRÍL has long been open about the influence of Amy Winehouse in her voice and music, and this week, she releases an inspired homage to the late British singer with a cover of the iconic “Back to Black.” YANCY, whose previous single “ocean eyes” revealed a talent for soulful and smoky vocals, puts a spin on Winehouse’s acclaimed track by incorporating bachata rhythms and notes over new Spanglish lyrics. It’s an experiment that manages to stay true to the jazzy spirit of the original while also broadening its sound. They say you’re not truly dead until you’re forgotten, and YANCY adds herself to the chorus of those keeping Winehouse’s legacy alive. — Juan J. Arroyo

Bouncy Boys Band - “CYBBB3RIA”

The Chilean trap boy band Bounce Boys Band has released “CYBBB3RIA” ahead of their upcoming album BBB 3. The track features a dark, sensual (and, of course, bouncy) production that reflects on its dark, sexual, and drug-filled lyrics (“te amo, the odio, como la coca” / “I love you, I hate you, like the coke”). The single is released alongside a music video that will act as an introduction to a cinematic universe, interconnected with future music videos from the upcoming album. – Sofia Viera

Feli Colina - “V13 (feat. Vera Frod)”

Argentine singer-songwriter Feli Colina is shrouded in magical mystery. Her fantastical 2022 breakout, El Valle Encantado, was a singular work of folk-pop genius melding chacareras and carnavalitos native to the northern provinces that border Bolivia with romantic poetry evocative of medieval fairytales. On her new single “V13,” Colina thrusts the organic textures of her past work into the electronic realm, tapping producer Coghlan to cobble a crashing, asymmetrical beat while a hook from underground club diva Vera Frod seductively beckons the listener to the dance floor. Accompanied by a steamy music video of extreme close-ups and sensual modern dance, the result is a supercharged ode to desire delivered with magnetic panache. – Richard Villegas

Childs - “Rei”

Long-running Mexican outfit Childs has released a fascinating shoegaze/electronic/post-rock album titled Xilds, and this track is one of its clear highlights. “Rei” ups the tempo while remaining true to the project’s dream pop sound; wavy guitars and synths weave in and out as a mumbled spoken word narration propels the arrangement. As the song progresses, vocals give it additional emotional weight above a groove that’s both danceable and emotionally vulnerable, ending in an epic crescendo that makes it all worthwhile. With songs like “Rei,” Childs continues to deliver sounds that provide a cathartic musical experience. — Marcos Hassan