20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From DIA to maye

04.04.25 at 02:14

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 DIA, maye, and Octavio Cuadras. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

DIA - "MOTO DUCATi"

The warm, inviting strums of a cuatro and the purring of a motorcycle open DIA’s latest moody trap single. The paired down beat highlighted mainly with booming bass percussion creates the perfect blank canvas for DIA to flex his quick-witted flow and vocal agility. As the cuatro twinkles in the background, DIA pays close attention to detail as he describes his steamy encounters with women and the fast-paced lifestyle of a playboy with money to spend. After making a special guest appearance in El Choli alongside Omar Courtz this past weekend, “Moto Ducati,” is a head-bobbing track that is sure to keep his momentum growing and car speakers on blast. – Rosy Alvarez

maye - “Yo Me Consiento”

Having someone constantly in our corner is an essential part of our well-being, and singer-songwriter maye is here to remind us that that person can be ourselves. This Venezuelan-born, Miami-raised, and LA-based artist delivers this message through “Yo Me Consiento,” an easy-going, head-bobbing pop track. The song is propelled by a jazz-funk bassline and blooms through synth flourishes that adorn maye’s reassuring-yet-soft vocals. While her indie pop style should feel right at home with some of the pop girlies up in the charts at the moment, the message behind “Yo Me Consiento” is timeless; a reminder that self-preservation is within us all. — Marcos Hassan

duendita - “cutie”

After exploring a myriad of ideas with a cohort of like-minded creatives and processing the grief that follows assault, Queen’s duendita is ready to speak on it. duendita’s voice is that of a siren, hallowing, filling a space with character and melancholy, drawing you into the unknown. A sentiment that’s fulfilled in her latest project: a strong desire to survive. Matched with seamlessly moody and borderline eerie production from collaborators Noah Becker and Anton Remy, duendita’s album is heavy in its topics covered but resilient in its execution. While the entire album is a sonically warped and thrilling experience, “cutie” is a definitive change in pace, offering a warmer instrumental, only to pivot back to a more industrial sound. As a prominent cut from the project, “cutie” presents the same intimate and calm demeanor associated with duendita’s music, along with the same haunting, charming melodies. – Alan Baez

Octavio Cuadras – “Qué Penita Me Das”

Mexican singer Octavio Cuadras’ latest track, “Qué Penita Me Das,” is a seamless blend of Regional Mexican music meets Latine pop. Throughout the heartfelt song, you hear the pain in Cuadras’ vocals as he reveals his experience of seeing an ex-partner move on to a new one. It’s safe to say the song reflects a type of pain that many of us have experienced, so be prepared for it to pull on your heartstrings. This is also a new era for the Mexican artist that we haven’t seen before, showcasing a side of his vulnerability. — Brenda Barrientos

NINA J - “NINGUÉM PRECISA SABER”

After years of toiling in the industry, Brazilian-Swiss artist NINA J got her big break last year when she impressed as a backup singer on CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso’s wildly popular Tiny Desk concert. Now, the Berklee grad is releasing more new singles that show off her dynamic solo prowess and range. “NINGUÉM PRECISA SABER” is a Portuguese language dark pop that explores feelings of temptation, lust, and guilt that come with desiring someone prohibited. Enveloped by bold synths and a frenzied bass, she paints a scene that captures the (perhaps sweet?) agony of crossing a line and living with the secret. As someone who also speaks four languages and has a repertoire of unreleased songs in nearly all of them, NINA is sure to impress again as the work she’s putting in continues to bear fruit. — Juan J. Arroyo

Ambar Lucid - “6am”

Ambar Lucid follows her single “There Goes My Baby” with the second preview from her upcoming project, and it’s a vintage-sounding dose of mixed feelings. “6am” is a ’60s throwback ballad where Ambar doesn’t hold back and spills her emotions, making us witness her inner battle with the conflicting feelings she has towards a love interest. She delivers fear and frustration over a warm groove, but ultimately, it’s her passion that wins, as she melts on the stunning outro singing “Quiero tu amor.” – Cheky

Samantha Hudson, Villano Antillano - “Full Lace y el Tuck”

Spanish artist Samantha Hudson and Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano ate with their new collaboration “Full Lace y el Tuck.” The energetic club-heavy track transports listeners to an after-hours party drenched in sweat, dancing with your besties while in full glam, no less. With a dramatic and sensual brass introduction accompanying the lively, fast-paced tune, the two queens make a memorable electronic track perfect for the clubs, pregames, and even a catwalk. “Full Lace y el Tuck” is part of Hudson’s upcoming LP Música para Muñecas, due May 23. – Jeanette Hernandez

Aldo Carpes, Martox - “JODIDO”

Emerging Mexican artist Aldo Carpes joins forces with Dominican musical duo Martox on his latest venture, “JODIDO.” The single is an atmospheric R&B-infused pop song that maintains an upbeat tempo despite its rather sullen lyricism that centers around healing post-heartbreak. The trio intertwines throughout the song, sharing verses and reflections on the hurt that still lingers within them as their once lover has seemingly been able to move on. On the back track, we get slowed intro moments of plucking guitars and resounding keys before bringing in pulsating beats and electro-synth infusions that guide listeners to more uplifting sounds that lean the potential of more hopeful outcomes despite being wrapped up in not being able to fully let go just yet. – Jeanette Diaz

Kombilesa Mí - “Mi Lokeikele”

The Unesco World Heritage community of San Basilio de Palenque is a bastion of Afro-diasporic memory, fostering a unique spiritual, musical, and linguistic melting pot near Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. In recent years, futuristic rap group Kombilesa Mí have emerged as guardians of these traditions, and their new album, Asina Gué, which translates to “Así Es,” is designed to preserve the endangered palenquero tongue and warn of the perils of exploitative tourism. They underscore this mission on “Mi Lokeikele,” opening on chants of “Así suena el llamado” that beckon all to soak in the rousing thump of tambor alegre and the psychedelic warble of a handcrafted marimbula. Taking turns on the mic, each MC exults the enduring resistance of Palenque while also calling to end the violence plaguing many rural regions across the country, addressing current crises with centuries-old wisdom. – Richard Villegas

Enme - "Movediça"

After months of tireless preparation, Brazilian singer Enme’s latest EP Movediça is finally out. The title track of the same name brings different flavors to the table, showing the artist’s dedication to the quest to gather inspiration from global black music rhythms, such as Afrobeats, amapiano, and reggae. In Portuguese, Enme utters teasingly seductive lyrics that fall more into cheeky territory than the more sweetly romantic lyrics present in the other songs from the EP. The miscellany of references present in “Movediça” makes for an addictive sound that combines the best of Brazilian and global music. – Júlia Henn

Julia Mestre - “VAMPIRA”

After dropping one of the richest grooves in her catalog, Brazilian singer and multi-instrumentalist Julia Mestre offers a refined and dynamic interpolation on a salsa classic. “Vampira” is the latest cut from Mestre, recontextualizing elements from Rey Reye’s original groove for something far more slick and polished, offering a cinematic escape into her creative world. Through a gothic lens, Mestre takes the name “Vampira” and builds a compact world around it, filling it with dreary strings and warm vocal harmonies, accentuating the moody atmosphere. It’s a reimagining of something originally upbeat, turned upside down conceptually while still providing the same energy. Mestre had a lot of fun recreating this cover, and it shows through the timely theremin and conga drums in the production, feeding into the gothic, horror aesthetic. With a new album on the horizon, “Vampira” offers a dynamic and stylistic taste of Mestre’s creative palette. – Alan Baez

Maria Lunares - "Andando"

Rising Dominican DJ Maria Lunares dives into the subconscious in her hypnotic new deep house single, “Andando.” The bouncy track utilizes sound bath elements that, when paired with whispered vocals, feel as though one is floating through time and space. The calming effect pulls the ear into focus. Once you’re locked into her gravitational pull, the addition of snares, pops, and strums kick the tempo up, transforming the beat from serene and introspective to bouncy and dance-ready. The track’s abrupt ending is the perfect precursor for a beat drop that would electrify a room full of partygoers. – Rosy Alvarez

Amore - “Juvenil”

With “Juvenil,” Madrid-based artist Amore breaks the pop song mold, giving this catchy song an experimental edge. Expanding our understanding of the genre while maintaining melodies at the center of her craft, the track is spacey, minimalist, and catchy as hell. Click-clack percussion gives it its sense of movement while all the different electronic elements are layered in a way that supports Amore’s earnest and subdued vocals. “Juvenil” captures the yearning for love that’s fading away as well as the hope of things to come, placing the feeling of the song where heartache still stings yet we can already see the road ahead. — Marcos Hassan

Hamilton, Nanpa Básico - “Mi Reina”

Newcomer Hamilton has been on a promising, melodious run. Recently, the Afro-Colombiano collaborated with Bori artist De La Ghetto on “Chalala,” then in September, he was Cartagena-bound as a feature on Ryan Castro’s “A Poca Luz.” And now, he has teamed up with Colombian rapper Nanpa Básico on “Mi Reina.” The Afrobeats-infused track gives flowers to a sentimental partner who plays a special role in his life, like a queen. Heavily influenced by Afro-Caribbean rhythms, we can expect to hear the rising star continue to put his own twist to Afrobeats en español — after all he’s not one to shy away from dabbling across genres, which essentially makes him one to keep on your radar this year. — Brenda Barrientos

Macapo - “Calle Latina”

Macapo loves to have fun, and she imbues all her music with that same joie de vivre. Her last single, 2023’s “La ola,” felt much the same way, and now she returns with “Calle Latina,” bringing that same energy but with even more musical muscle. Teaming up with San Juan Sound studios, her new track features Buscabulla’s Luis Alfredo Del Valle on guitar, Epilogio’s Fernando Rivera on bass, and Grammy-winning drummer Henry Cole. The Puerto Rican-Peruvian artist beckons listeners to get on their feet with her voice, rhapsodizing over a feisty beat that compliments her singsong rapping. It’s a strong return to form after a quiet 2024, and a song that’ll put her back in the sights of fans old and new alike. — Juan J. Arroyo

Yeyo - “La Put4 Makin4 del Di4blo”

Days away from his performance at this year’s Axe Ceremonia festival and following a string of singles and collaborations with El Malilla, Bellakath, Jowell & Randy, and more, Mexico’s Yeyo has dropped his debut EP, Tu Put4 Obsesi0n. Here, Yeyo expands his palette from his brand of perreo, genre-hopping between dembow, bachata, pop, and even punk, as shown on “La Put4 Makin4 del Di4blo.” This unexpected track is a fiery, distorted mosh pit starter to put your fist in the air to, capturing the genre’s essence in sound and its bleak lyrics about walking aimlessly in life. With such display of versatility this early on, we can only see a bright future for Yeyo. – Cheky

UnderThePropaganda, riorio - “flores”

Emerging indie Chilean singer and producer UnderThePropaganda released his newest collaboration, “flores,” with Chilean singer riorio. Produced by Benjamín Flores, the track features soft and charming percussion spearheaded by a dreamy tropical-like melody and groovy bass that make you feel like you’re part of an indie romcom. Lyrically, the duo narrates a love story about a pair doing their best to make their relationship work. Though the story is about lovers deciding their fate, the feel-good melody exudes serotonin, giving listeners a burst of happiness despite listening to the Chilean artists’ woes. – Jeanette Hernandez

Briela Ojeda - “Quien Va Cuidar”

Colombian singer-songwriter Briela Ojeda released a stunning new project this week with Andariega. On the rather lucidly more mellow tracklist sits the knockout high-energy track “Quien Va Cuidar” towards the end of the compilation. The punching alternative song barters with moments of ‘60s psychedelic rock influence and a grunge-leaning megaphone-assisted declarative breakdown questioning what it really means to care for yourself or others and the myriad of ways it can look like. As the song goes on, so does her repetition of this existential question, with every ask increasing the raging desire to step closer to finding its final answer. – Jeanette Diaz

Juana Aguirre - “Las Espinas”

With her 2021 debut, Claroscuro, Argentine singer-songwriter Juana Aguirre emerged as a thunderbolt of avant-folk, amplifying acoustic instrumentation with immersive, dreamlike production. On her new album, Anónimo, she helms the sonic world-building with jagged, clanging percussion and eery loops that, to newcomers, may evoke Juana Molina or even Radiohead. But this is very much a world of Aguirre’s creation, and on “Las Espinas,” she unspools a visceral tale of loss and release over a saturated canvas of war drums and distorted guitars. “Tendré coraje para enfrentarme a las espinas de mis males,” she coos in the song’s second verse, acknowledging her own transgressions within a now defunct relationship, reminding herself that the only way out of heartbreak is through sorrow. – Richard Villegas

BAD LUV - “REAPRENDER”

Bringing together some of the biggest names in modern Brazilian rock music, the band BAD LUV showcases all their collective talent and passion for music with “REAPRENDER,” a personal song about starting anew after facing adversities and learning the lessons life has to teach. Heavy beats and passionate vocals give the song a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of early 2000s rock music while still remaining authentic and reflecting BAD LUV’s own identity as a modern alternative rock band. Caio Weber as vocalist is the newest addition to the group that already had household names João Bonafé (bass), Murilo Amancio (guitar), Gee Rocha (guitar), and Vitor Peracetta (drums) in its ranks. Bursting with energy, the track is the band’s first breadcrumb of what the audience can expect from their upcoming first studio album, coming out in the second half of 2025. – Júlia Henn

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