20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Chuwi to Liniker

Press play and let yourself be pulled into a soulful era of salsa. With the release of “Plei,” Chuwi channels a deep sense of nostalgia, highlighting everything that makes classic salsa timeless—rich percussion, organ-like melodies, dynamic highs and lows, and a message rooted in real life. The song reflects the group’s shared experience of living away from Puerto Rico, the place they call home, all while capturing the emotional weight of distance. “Plei” tells the story of the immigrant life, building something new while constantly longing for what was left behind. It speaks to the ache of missing home, the warmth of the island, and the quiet sacrifices that come with starting over elsewhere. Chuwi thoughtfully explores the decision to leave Puerto Rico in search of opportunity, acknowledging both the hope it offers and the pressure it creates. The result is a track that feels intimate, honest, and deeply resonant for anyone who has ever lived between worlds. – Natasha Melina Argudo

For the joy of her fans, Brazilian singer-songwriter Liniker has finally released her single “Charme,” which was first introduced to the audience back in December during her Tiny Desk Brasil performance. The song is a groovy, upbeat pop track deeply rooted in Brazilian musical elements and reminiscent of the R&B-inspired pop that permeated the local music scene in the early 2000s. What makes Liniker’s music so special is the hard work that clearly happens behind every track, when you can notice the references imbued in her work, but only truly hear the brilliance of her final work. – Júlia Henn

February is carnival season, and in Brazil, these effusive celebrations compound poignant themes of syncretic spirituality, Black history, and the free, ungovernable occupation of public space. The street’s charged energy can offer all sorts of quandaries and answers, and on “Bloco pra Tristeza,” the new single from Carioca singer-songwriter Leo Middea, sonorous euphoria quickly turns to bittersweet remembrance. “Quantos dias faltam pra eu te esquecer? / Quantas horas faltam pro tempo acontecer?,” he muses in the song’s opening bars, untangling unresolved memories of a paramour over melancholy horns evocative of carnival’s emblematic marching bands. The song is inspired by Middea’s own experience of mid-party heartbreak, where crowded, jubilant streets became the perfect conduit for processing and releasing grief. — Richard Villegas

Unsurprisingly, the partnership between reggaeton mastermind behind the board Ovy On The Drums and streamer Westcol delivers another hit record and continues to establish itself as a musical force in 2026. This time, W Sound invites Myke Towers to the party, and the results are incandescent. Ovy puts together a fine and delicate beat full of lush synths on top of a minimalist dembow that gently invites you to the dancefloor. Meanwhile, Towers unrolls his desires and thoughts about a particular woman, using his lyrical dexterity to describe material highs and emotional lows. On this collab, charisma and sound collide to give the listener a five-star treatment. — Marcos Hassan

Puerto Rican anti-popstar (and entrepreneur) Melodie continues to tease her upcoming sophomore project, now teaming up with rising Mexican neo-perreo royalty and doppelgänger RIXXIA. The new joint is “OK!” and it marries both their sensibilities in a sweaty, club-friendly way. Both are fast on their way to becoming stars of the genre, and this collab is another win for both them and fans. Like the song says, “they wanna be us,” but if you can’t understand the vibes, you’re gonna forever miss out on one of the hottest sounds coming out of Latin America, ok? — Juan J. Arroyo

Letón Pé gives it her all in this electronic house fusion. “NO PARA” translates the song’s satirical universe into a clean space, a white-backdrop studio where Letón multiplies into versions of herself. Different characters coexist including the impeccable corporate woman, the creative leader in absolute control, an aspirational, pageant-like figure exaggerated and slightly unhinged, and finally a more depleted version, absorbed by excess and burnout. Each embodies empowerment from a different angle, revealing both its shine and its cost. The video’s minimalism sharpens the performance, letting movement, styling, and repetition do the storytelling. “NO PARA” is a standout single from her debut album, Golosa, a project that channels desire, discipline, and pleasure. Letón will take Golosa on an international tour across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, bringing this bold, self-aware vision to stages beyond the screen. – Natasha Melina Argudo

Tokischa’s experimental era is in full effect—and she’s in the driving seat. With “RIDIN,” she oozes reggaeton beats with a hard-hitting alternative touch and signature empowering baddie lyrics. With steamy lyrics like “Hay fervor en el G-string (oh) / Foto en panty en el IG (dame follow) / Tengo el body que le gusta a la baby (baby) / Pa’ que me la pase’ to’ el día ridin,’” she owns her sexuality and femininity without any remorse. She takes the message one step further with the song’s enticing visuals—serving face, body, and moves. With that being said, “RIDIN” makes for a go-to song to hype you up, whether it’s for your sweaty workout routine or for a sexy girl’s night out. – Jeanette Hernandez

Louis BPM released his newest single along with compatriot Cris Laion. The Venezuelan’s newest bop, “Ay Mamasita,” comes just a few months after 167BPM, his collab album with Puerto Rican star Farruko. Louis and Cris don’t dovetail from their go-to reggaeton flow, keeping it flirty and playful as they wink their way into the bedroom with their ladies. It’s a slick track that’ll easily slide into their fans’ regular rotation, and will keep Louis’ already fast-rising name in the conversation for hottest of the year. — Juan J. Arroyo

A bright guitar instantly transports us to a sunlit shore where the voices of Colombian powerhouses Tinto and Damián, group together to present “DALE,” a track packed with fun and warmth, which fuses champeta with pop. Telling the story of a woman so sensual that “her waist can break a daily routine” or “make your skin burn by staring at you,” both singers hype up each other in the background as wingmen while the other takes the spotlight delivering the lyrics. With a production that makes it feel like everyone involved was smiling while working on it, and an explosive sound that still feels chill enough to perfectly accompany any beach party as the sun sets, “DALE” is the ideal track to bring a ray of Colombian sun into a cold day in the city. – La Morra Lisa

Long live Valentín. Edgardo Núñez is giving ode to one of música mexicana’s greatest losses, Valentín Elizalde. With his deep and gravelly voice, he adds another layer to Elizalde’s iconic “Vencedor,” which was originally released in 2006. Though he spearheads the yearning song with his own vocal flair, what stands out most is Elizalde’s signature nasally croons that still sound like a breath of fresh air and unique compared to today’s Regional Mexican soundscape. All together, the tribute is a nostalgic and warm embrace—and a shout out to one of the most iconic voices of Mexican music of all time. It’s a posthumous collaboration worth hitting replay on. – Jeanette Hernandez

When it comes to tackling vulnerability through auto-tune, Matias Poro sets the bar for relatable lyrics and airy vocals. Poro is an anomaly, tackling relatable, beyond-surface-level problems through stylish executions of emo trap soundscapes. “FMK” embodies this perfectly, taking a childish game and transforming it into an exploration of emotional catharsis and self-respect. Poro takes on the emotional feel of harsh relationships and manages to incorporate silly undertones of hyperpop and glam pop, creating this rush of energy you’d never expect to find behind such emotionally charged lyrics. “FMK” is whimsical in its lyrical execution and playful in its production, giving way to experimenting with multiple genre sounds, without spending too much time in any niche pocket. Poro playfully grasps concepts of setting boundaries and respecting oneself, without overstepping in any genre territory, resulting in a comforting sound that is uniquely him. – Alan Baez

With an exhilarating mix of Midwest emo and Californian punk, Brazilian quartet Chococorn and the Sugarcanes kick off a series of new singles scheduled for each month of February ahead of the release of their upcoming sophomore album. Previously tested live throughout 2025, “A Vida de Messi” features a title that’s a play on “Oh Messy Life” by emo legends Cap’n Jazz, while also referencing the titular Argentine star, managing to give us thunderous drumming, occasional angular guitar and bass riffs, and the thrill of a soccer match. Sports metaphors are all over the lyrics, and they’re intertwined with religious imagery to convey a passion that transcends the field. – Cheky

Nana Nina turns memory into a trigger on her latest drop, “recordé y me enojé.” The track is an instant enrapture built around obsessive repetition, both in lyrics and glitchy electro-reggaeton rhythms that mirror the emotional loop at its core. Remembering someone, getting angry about it, and then not being able to stop either. The tempo lurches between fast and slowed, echoing the intrusive nature of the mind’s momentum as devotion and irritation chase each other in circles. That friction induced motion spills out in overflow as she navigates going out, hunting for a party, and refusing to stay alone long enough for the thoughts to settle. Nana Nina is infusing a more synth and hyperpop sonic lane into reggaeton mexa and letting it soundtrack the mess of missing someone, being vexed about it, and choosing to let it out via movement anyway. With an unresolved tension, the sound waves on this one really turn frustration into something you can dance out and pass through the body rather than drown in. – Jeanette Diaz

“Vampira,” the latest single by Brazilian rock band Detonautas, takes a “Thriller”-inspired turn by enlisting the services of Carnival expert and iconic media personality Milton Cunha’s unmistakable voice to narrate the intro of the song. After such an explosive first 15 seconds, it was expected for the track to deliver a worthy performance, and so it did. “Vampira” packs a punch filled with the best of Brazilian rock, pop, and electronic music in an ‘80s sounding tune that invites the listening ear to a nostalgic journey. If it’s got any flaws, it’s how short it is, because such a fun song leaves its audience wanting for more. And, maybe, that was the point all along. – Júlia Henn

The best part of waking up is vibes with your cup—at least that’s the concept behind Dominican singer-songwriter Guillolai’s debut album, Los Niños No Toman Café. Produced by pop chameleon Adriano Sang, the record brews a rich mix of bachata, reggaeton, and even U.K. garage, infused with romantic lyrics about morning texts and Splenda-sweet kisses. The LP’s opening track, “Café de Greca,” is a featherlight merengue that evolves from a classic tale of rising and grinding into an adorable vignette about breakfast dates and that crucial playlist to get your day going. But don’t be fooled by the record’s Rawayana-esque aura, as the song kicks off an emotional journey of surprising depth, complete with a bitter end that’ll have you reaching for the sugar. — Richard Villegas

Synthpop is a genre characterized by contrasts, where top-of-the-line technology is used to play simple verse-chorus-verse songs, resulting in music that’s both familiar and slightly askew, revealing profound emotions in the process. This description perfectly fits Mexico City trio SEXES and their newest track. “Electra” features naive pop melodies that adorn an elegant and minimalistic groove, resulting in a dreamy yet classy song. Lyrically exploring tragedy, their melodic abandon adds an interesting layer to its performance, giving it a coat of sugar to make the sour go down easily. With “Electra,” SEXES gives us a sad banger you can dance to. — Marcos Hassan

The first verse we hear is “She’s Ecuatorian, I don’t want a gringa,” so it is clear right away on this collab that these artists are pretty proud of what their country can provide, and are happily living the Ecuadorian Dream. Classic merengue percussion lays the path for Machaka and both members of Spiritual to sing their flirty praises to ladies that are “more Latina than having a Chicha (Ecuador’s ancient and traditional fermented beverage) by the corner,” or appear to “have been watered with holy water.” The bright piano and soft electronic melody carry us through the ride until a profound synth takes over the background halfway, deepening and further modernizing the track. It builds up to a closing third act where a crowd jumps in as a choir, turning “Green Card” into an experience you’ll want to dance and sing along to. Presented through a warm and playful perspective, the deeper message in this song is a reminder that pride in our identity, our communities, and fostering joy within them is fundamental in strengthening us to overcome the current and future obstacles Latines all over face. – La Morra Lisa

In his latest stunt, Colombian singer-songwriter Jheral’s latest entry offers a broader approach to Caribbean pop, with a stroke of Afrobeats-influence. Jheral has been on the grind, capitalizing on his growing movement in the Afrobeats scene since the success of their two EP’s in 2024, Exo2 and COMPLEX, with an onslaught of features and one off singles. “Locura” ditches the safe traditions for more whimsical energy in its production and sees the singer take on more adventurous songwriting, emulating joy through dance. It’s an exploration of self-expression at tides with emotional vulnerability, allowing Jheral to tackle insecurities through more upbeat means. “Locura” acts as the latest teaser for Jheral’s upcoming project, slated to drop in March to welcome spring with a warm note of self discovery and vibrant energy. – Alan Baez

A mainstay of Brazil’s rap scene, MC Luanna is already blowing this 2026 all the way up with her brand new banger “Esconde Sua Namorada.” With a heavy hip-hop beat courtesy of IKNOWFELIPE, the song is a certified club smasher and an instant queer anthem, as MC Luanna addresses her bisexuality with refreshing openness and humor. Her warning is clear: hide your girlfriends, everybody, because she’s about to hit the streets. Her message of sexual freedom and Black empowerment hits harder with its accompanying music video, with Luanna handling the creative direction alongside Fernanda Opitacio and Anna Campos, showing us an unapologetic portrait of her identity. – Cheky

Emotional repetition has an eerie familiarity to it, and Las Cruxes tap right into that cyclical feeling on their latest single “Déjà Vu,” a fuzz-drenched, vintage grit track that blurs romance and irritation into one restless loop. The hypnotic groove is indebted to moody rock composed of descending riffs and lo-fi haze, with lyrics that drench you in the feeling of being stuck replaying the same argument in your head until it becomes equally seductive and exhausting. With a cheeky lean, Yayo Trujillo’s vocals ride the repetition and detour into sarcasm that doubles as both armor and confession. Overall, it plays like a lighthearted way to maneuver emotional unraveling, trolling the collapse between memory’s intoxicating desire and unbearable resentment, while also capturing the moment when love stops feeling new and starts playing like a confusing loop you can’t seem to outrun. – Jeanette Diaz