20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Humbe to Rubio

Humbe - “Vetiver y Amaretto”

After his viral hit and successful tour, Humbe is back with more music to pull our heartstrings. The Mexican singer’s newest single “Vetiver y Amaretto” showcases a textured alternative pop track with gentle chords that complement the singer’s sensitive, reverb vocals. Together, the gently reggaeton-tinged track tells a story of wishing he could start a relationship from square one. With electronic pop hues, the new song echoes Humbe’s mantra as he sings, “Imagino, que estoy contigo, mi delirio, mi descuido,” with hopes of a redo. “Vetiver y Amaretto” is part of Humbe’s new musical chapter. – Jeanette Hernandez

Rubio - “Nuestra Cación”

Coming off the heels of her NPR Tiny Desk performance and first song of the year, Chilean artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Francisca Straube, aka Rubio, is back with a love song of all love songs. In her two-year absence from releasing music, Rubio has managed to continue stretching her creative wings in other avenues, such as releasing a short film. “Nuestra Canción” follows the same romantic, thematic imagery established with Rubio’s previous album, but hones in on the intersections of quiet, intimate moments. “Nuestra Canción” finds strength in the softest of spaces, making way for Rubio’s tender songwriting to match the energy of an equally soulful instrumental. Rubio’s voice is angelic, becoming one with the instrumental and providing a melding harmony that glues every texture into place. It’s subtle. Its warmth solidified to capture the essence of companionship in its most intimate form. – Alan Baez

Tei Shi - “Montón (nusar3000 Remix)”

Over the summer, Colombian-Canadian pop chanteuse Tei Shi unveiled her fourth LP, Make believe I make believe, a shimmering collection of songs, where ethereal vocals float over moody instrumentals oscillating between dreampop and dembow. One of the album’s standouts is “Montón,” a paean to a burgeoning crush that overflows with R&B slinkiness and lurching reggaeton drums, which this week gets the freaky internet remix treatment from Spanish producer nusar3000. Known for his work with the Rusia IDK collective (Rusowsky, Ralphie Choo), the mysterious studio whiz pitches Tei Shi’s vocals to chipmunk heights and twists the beat into jittery baile funk. The result is not only an exciting reimagining of the singer’s sensual vocal stylings, but an excellent, high-octane teaser for her upcoming North American tour, kicking off on Oct. 20. — Richard Villegas

Helado Negro - “Protector”

With his latest track, singer-songwriter Helado Negro turns his warm electronic sound towards a more upbeat direction. “Protector” brings the tempo up and experiments with different textures, resulting in an exciting and comforting track. The song starts with slow synths that float gently into the listener’s ear, but soon a pronounced yet soft breakbeat comes into focus, and a bouncy bassline gives us another reason to get into the glitched-out groove. This song feels both homely, like an embrace, and like an invitation to get lost in a rhythm to escape into a safe sonic zone. — Marcos Hassan

J Noa - “YEH!”

J Noa made sure we were fed all throughout 2025, and now she’s giving us yet another feast with her new single “YEH!” Known for her high-octane raps, the Latin Grammy-nominated Dominican rapper takes it to the next level with a vertiginous jungle-fueled beat to match, taking us on a Formula 1-level trip that’s not for the faint of heart. “YEH!” is a declaration of power in her personal life and the music industry, where she has time to explore sexuality and tear down men who have tried to take advantage of her talent and status in the same eight bars. “Te voy a hacer la que le quiere hacer Venezuela a Maduro,” she spits, showcasing a pen that is as sharp as it gets. – Cheky

Pra Gira Girar - “ATABAQUE CHORA”

The decision to make their own versions of the music of the iconic Brazilian group Os Tincoãs from the 1970s brought Alvaro Lancellotti, Michele Leal, Alan de Deus, and Pedro Costa together. That’s how the musical project Pra Gira Girar was born. They’re now releasing their single “Atabaque Chora,” their own rendition of this classic originally released in 1973. Aiming to remain as similar as possible to the original, the true change in the modern version is the adaptation in arrangements to fit a female voice, as the original group was formed by men only. The hypnotic harmonies and impactful instrumentals allow this tribute to pay homage to Os Tincoãs while still showcasing the new artists’ own talent and passion. – Júlia Henn

María Isabel, El Guincho - "Bien Bien”

Following the successful streak set by her two previous projects, Dominican-American artist María Isabel presents the new single “Bien Bien.” As the song starts, she warns off the gate, “I’m stepping on the accelerator,” turboing past a rhythm change that takes a turn to a sensual ride filled with surprises that work fascinantly well together, like the intense and naughty verse “I’m sinning tonight, no matter with whom.” María Isabel’s confident delivery plus the production level and vision that Grammy-winning producer El Guincho (Charli xcx, Rosalía, FKA twigs) brings to the table, results in exactly what this is: a powerful statement about María Isabel’s roots, what her goals are, and the perfect soundtrack to blast while glamorously tearing up the floor (designer skirt optional) and feeling “Bien Bien.” – La Morra Lisa

Suzie True - “So Blame Me” 

Los Angeles-based indie rock trio Suzie True hand over the mic to reckless honesty on “So Blame Me,” an eccentric standout from their just-released album How I Learned To Love What’s Gone. A short but strikingly punchy track, the single surges forward with fuzzed-out guitar crunch, brisk percussion, and a gleefully chaotic energy that leans into the mess instead of cleaning it up. Lyrically, it’s a self-aware spiral that is less about begging for forgiveness and more about beating everyone to the punch with a shrug and a smirk. Instead of sitting in guilt, the band tosses it into the sky with both hands up and sets it to a hook that dares you to shout and dance along. “So Blame Me” turns overthinking and self-criticism into its own kind of liberating anthem for making peace with imperfection. One that’s fast, cathartic, and just unhinged enough to feel like complete freedom, even if for a few minutes. — Jeanette Diaz

Rubí, Bassyy - “Te Imaginas?”

After the success this summer of her imaginative track “la de arca,” Rubí returns alongside fellow Puerto Rican artist-producer Bassyy with the sensual and seductive “Te Imaginas?” Channeling the vibes of trapsoul, they croon about all the ways two lovers fiend for each other and everything they yearn for when they’re apart (“hacer y deshacer,” you’d call it). Lust is the objective, as the track elucidates those carnal thoughts usually kept to late-night texts. The two mesh well, coupling their voices to the beat in a way that serves the song’s purpose well and makes it easy to fall into its energy. — Juan J. Arroyo

BrunOG, Adán Cruz, EasyKid - “Lento RMX”

The collaboration between three of the most prominent names in el movimiento, BrunOG, Adán Cruz, and EasyKid, creates a powerful blend that pushes the boundaries of reggaeton and hip-hop. Mexican producer BrunOG, known for his ability to fuse reggaeton, hip-hop, and electronic elements, leads the track with a production that feels fresh and intense. As one of the genre’s top innovators, his work is complemented by  Cruz, whose introspective and impactful lyrics have captivated millions of listeners. Adding to the mix is EasyKid, one of Chile’s most avant-garde artists, bringing his darkera style to the song and injecting a touch of melancholy and urban rhythm that sets him apart. In this remix, “Lento” doesn’t just aim to build on its original success, it seeks to reach new listeners and offer a version that packs even more punch. The track immerses you in the world of nightlife, speed, and the raw energy of urban life, showcasing the unique flavor of reggaeton from Mexico. With an infectious beat and lyrics that reflect the unfiltered side of reggaeton, “Lento RMX” is a chance to shine even brighter, proving that the fusion of these three talents creates an irresistible musical experience. — Natasha Melina Argudo

Julio Caesar, Armenta - "Yo Ya Sé”

Julio Caesar has a way of making his música mexicana sound poetic and yearning from the moment you press play. In “Yo Ya Sé,” the rising Mexican-American crooner intertwines his melancholic sierreño guitar chords with Armenta’s deep vocals, leveling the song’s heart-wrenching narrative. As part of regional Mexican music’s new wave, Julio Caesar separates himself by singing songs that put his heart on his sleeve, making it cool again to show emotions. And he continues to do so with this new track, where he’s begging an ex-lover for one more opportunity, even though he knows it’ll be the last shot. “Yo Ya Sé” is part of Julio Caesar’s newest EP, Desconectado, out now. – Jeanette Hernandez

Harmless - “by them, by you, my me”

By Them, By You, By Me is the latest record from L.A. based, CDMX-born artist Harmless, with its title track truly establishing the tone for the record. It’s pure traditional bedroom indie with mundane, yet hyper-specific themes. Despite releasing Springs Eternal just last year, this album projects itself as a meditation on the everyday, tackling each waking moment and the nonchalant, discouraging anxieties that come with it. This is Harmless, filling the quiet moments with anything, including ethereal rifts, dreamy licks, and lyrics that hit a little too close to home. The title track is Harmless escaping change in its most daunting forms, while also tackling the intersections of wanting to continue to struggle and strive in an ever-inconsistent music career or playing it safe. A decision that still feels undecided, but comfortingly, still feels okay. On a quest to create and enjoy free time, Harmless is asking some difficult questions, but having fun in the process. – Alan Baez

C-S4R - “En Privado”

South American electropop is on a full-blown comeback, with thriving scenes in Argentina and Uruguay feverishly beckoning gay people back to the dance floor. Though Chile was once the epicenter of disco ball rapture by way of Alex Anwandter, Javiera Mena, and Dënver, recent years have seen a shift towards mainstream-leaning reggaeton and jagged rock tunes. But what is pop if not camp persevering? “En Privado,” the latest single from Viña del Mar-based singer and living MySpace avatar, C-S4R, has all the potential to reignite the simple, heartfelt joys of Chilean synthpop. The soaring tale of long-distance romance features twinkling hyperpop production from Androlav, while C-S4R’s urgent, auto-tuned calls to leap from chat rooms to bedrooms is one we should all heed. — Richard Villegas

Mengers - “INC”

On their brand-new album, Flavio, Mexico City’s Mengers demonstrate a different side of their gritty and exciting sound, as exemplified by the track “INC.” By putting aside their guitars and screaming vocals, they show a dark electronic side of their music, demonstrating their talent for grooves without sacrificing distortion, resulting in a pulse-racing piece of music. Using cold wave synths and monotone vocals that translate remarkably well to both the mosh pit and the dancefloor, Mengers subverts its sound with different tools, managing to expand their style while remaining true to their essence, a rare feat for such a guitar-heavy band. — Marcos Hassan

Karol Barboza - “esta mañana”

Even though Costa Rican singer-songwriter Karol Barboza is preparing for the release of her upcoming debut album next year, she felt the urge to explore what it was like to let her guard down and share fresh compositions that retain their first creative spark. The result is argumentos a favor, a stunningly intimate three-track EP where emotions rise to the surface with minimal instrumentation. Opener “esta mañana” is a folky number suspended in time, pairing acoustic guitar strums with woodwind embellishments that intertwine with Barboza’s mellow voice to summon nostalgia as she stares through a sun-lit window to the past. – Cheky

St. Panther - “The Deal” 

With the assistance of an enthralling R&B track and soulful lyrics, Mexican-Colombian artist St. Panther manages to command the attention of their listeners as easily as picking flowers from a garden. “The Deal” is a reflective song that, despite its slow rhythm, still feels like a storm as it describes the sensations of falling in love and feeling helpless in the face of its magnitude. The always tasteful combination of R&B and jazz is also present here, as St. Panther plays the piano that develops the exploration of melancholic feelings of love and longing even further. “The Deal” is part of the artist’s upcoming EP, Strange World, set to be released on Nov. 7. – Júlia Henn

Michi Sanz - “es raro”

Staying true to the vulnerable, raw, and analog sound that has become a staple of her work,  Michi Sanz presents “es raro,” a track that was born out of going through the very human and intense situation it describes, and having no other way of healing and going through it but by turning it into music. Being very transparent, Michi sings about how alcohol consumption and social media-triggered jealousy can show up after a break-up, turning the situation even more draining and difficult. The classic rock band instrumentation has a melancholic sound to it, but at the same time, and with Michi’s gorgeous vocals, a hopeful atmosphere reigns. Moments that once seemed ordinary, like finishing the series you started watching together or listening to the “songs that were ours, but now are only mine,” become memories that can be hurtful. But at the same time, once the healing starts, beautiful reminders of the love that once was. – La Morra Lisa

Violent Vira - “Common Decency” 

Pop punk is back in full swing, and it’s not just legacy reunions fueling the revival. Enter emerging act Violent Vira, who just dropped “Common Decency” alongside news of their debut album Lover of a Ghost due this November. Fronted by a powerhouse of Mexican-American descent, the act brings a much-needed edge to the genre’s next chapter. Their latest single taps into the slow-burn ache of emotional limbo. You know, that deeply maddening space between knowing someone feels the same and waiting for them to finally admit it. Vira’s voice, airy but urgent, claws through each line with unflinching vulnerability, especially as the hook spirals into increasingly desperate refrains of “say you love me, you love me.” What starts as a soft ask turns into a repeated dare, a full-throated cry for emotional clarity. It’s not quite the sting of rejection, but the edging ache of almost, and the kind of emotional purgatory that leaves you spinning when longing festers into frustration. A crush dragged too far past the point of fun, this is what it sounds like when clarity is overdue and hope starts to blister. — Jeanette Diaz

Karaiya - “Qué recordarán de mí?”

Written two years ago while Karaiya was still in the fresh throes of grief and heartbreak after the passing of her father, “Qué recordarán de mí?” is a powerful ballad where the Puerto Rican singer grapples with a reality that arrived unexpectedly and left her shaken. Through her lyrics, she tries to come to terms with her loss, while also looking within herself and trying to find an answer to the question of how one can leave a mark on people while they’re still here, just like her father did on her. It’s a deep, two-tiered track that, like all the best ballads, stirs up emotions while also guiding you to closure at the same time. — Juan J. Arroyo

Daniel Me Estás Matando, Daphne Michelle - “¿En qué momento?”