20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From La Favi to El Bogueto

La Favi-

Photo by juniortheoutsider.

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 La Favi, El Bogueto, and Bebo Dumont. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

La Favi - “Ketamina”

Expanding and going deeper into the honest and vulnerable world of her latest album Adicta, La Favi now takes us into a multi-format audiovisual trip into the mind of a Tex Mex diva through her mesmerizing and haunting voice. In “Ketamina,” she opens with a quiet guitar that turns into an energetic yet melancholic beat, and over it, she parallels a toxic relationship with the effects of ketamine. “It calms my anxiety, like you do,” she croons, also singing about the dependance it can produce as she whispers, “If I don’t have you, I feel bad.” Rocking her already iconic makeup and hair, as she parades through ghostly landscapes of California wrapped in the American flag and switching between low-pixel and high-quality imagery in the music video, La Favi once again proves that you don’t need an over the top production to deliver an original and soulful perspective. Her view of the world is addictive and hypnotizing, just like “Ketamina.” – La Morra Lisa

El Bogueto - “CARTIER”

It’s no surprise that out of the new wave of Mexican reggaeton, El Bogueto has a distinctive high-pitched, raspy flow that makes him stand out from the other artists. And in “CARTIER,” he continues his unique path by sharing a more emotional number, this time opening up about the love of his life. Backed by a pulsating bassline, El Bo’s new music video shows the couple’s journey from their humble beginnings to their now lavish life — but that’s not all. In true lover boy form, he closes the track with touching words dedicated to his partner as he reveals she’s pregnant with their first child. Oh, to be loved Mexicanly. “CARTIER” is the first single of El Bo’s upcoming album. – Jeanette Hernandez

Bebo Dumont - “Hoy”

With a new album on the horizon, Puerto Rican artist and former Cultura Profética affiliate Bebo Dumont invokes the sensual powers of amapiano for his latest single “Hoy.” After giving us house-laced R&B with his previous single “VELAS,” the Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winner takes a shot at the South African rhythm, and it suits him well. The laid-back beat, soft guitar plucks, and deep bass pair up well with his soft croon, conjuring a candlelit moment he uses to shower his girl with flowers and remind her that, together, they can get through today and any day, no matter how hard it may seem. – Cheky

Titanic - “La Dueña”

Mabe Fratti and I. La Católica continue their collaborative streak under the name Titanic, and this sneak peek of their new album, Hagen, might be the most well-rounded demonstration of their joint powers. “La Dueña” opens with doom-ladden, almost Sabbathy chords from Fratti’s cello before delivering passion and elegance with her vocals. Meanwhile, bits of melody and texture flutter around each drum hit, before adding melodramatic elements that recall prime pop Spanish power ballads from the ‘80s. Indeed, “La Dueña” sounds like an experimental theme song of a telenovela from another dimension. — Marcos Hassan

Saul Villarreal - "TARDE LINDA" 

Back in May, singer-songwriter Saul Villarreal kicked off sad boy summer with the release of his second EP entitled Mejor Solo </3, which blended the sounds of melancholic sierreño with hardy acoustic folk rock. “TARDE LINDA” picks up where his EP left off as Villarreal describes a picturesque moment and that feeling of being suspended in time with his beloved before he realizes that he’s just residing in a memory. The Austin native’s warm and delicate reverb-heavy guitar work and somber, gutting vocals put him among the ranks of solo artists like Kevin Kaarl and Ivan Cornejo, making him a standout act on the rise within the world of alternative rock-influenced música mexicana. – Nayeli Portillo

2AT - “PaPa Con Yuka”

In time for an ambitious summer tour with dates in Europe, South America, and the U.S., Colombian DJ and producer Juan Tuaty, aka 2AT, has unveiled his second full-length LP, Kartucho. Melding Andean polyrhythms, like pasillo and bambuco with moody motifs from emo and witch house, the result is a throbbing night out at the rave with an unmistakably Latin American flavor. With that in mind, “PaPa Con Yuka” is the purest expression of this percussive sancocho, suggesting starchy staples autochthonous to Colombia’s mountain and coastal regions complement each other just as well as sonorities from disparate corners of the world. As one of the architects of the irreverent Latin Core movement and co-founder of the label MUAKK, it’s only logical 2AT’s explorations of regional identity should encompass more than mere dance floor bedlam. – Richard Villegas

Andry Kiddos, Bratty - "Lo Que Yo Por Ti" 

With his latest meditation on failing and restructuring relationships, Venezuelan artist Andry Kiddos utilizes soft melodies with moody tempos to explore an unfamiliar realm. Kiddos has been on a hot streak as of late, releasing his debut just last year and already on the comeback with a handful of singles under his belt this year. But where Kiddos’ past music excels in songwriting, his latest track demonstrates that he still has more to demonstrate in his pocket. While Kiddos’ last handful of singles have focused on creating a more emotionally impactful meditation, “Lo Que Yo Por Ti” softens the mood while maintaining the weight of the track, incorporating a more upbeat tempo with the drums. The intimacy of the vocal performance is only enhanced by the presence of Bratty. Her vocals dance with Kiddos’ throughout the track, providing an equal amount of energy that gives the song plenty of life. The collision of the two makes for an exceptional collab, one where the other truly understands the sentiment of the lyrics and performance of the other. The two’s warm chemistry fuels a focused passion from start to finish and symbolizes a supportive, communal strength amongst the Latin Gen Z community. – Alan Baez

Mila La Morena - “broken”

Queer Chicago-based Chicana artist Mila La Morena unveils her latest bilingual single “broken,” a bruised yet glowing anthem for anyone who has ever buried young heartbreak beneath velvet and armor. Blending glossy shoegaze textures with glitchy electronic edges, the alt-pop track throbs with the ache of toxic love and the quiet violence of letting go without ever admitting how much it still hurts. The accompanying night-vision music video paints the narrative through a ghostly, gothic romance, two haunted figures moving through cemeteries and shadows. Not quite enemies, not quite strangers, it’s a visual poem for the kinds of breakups that don’t explode, but still manage to quietly haunt you at every turn. Even if love still lingers in hushed corners, it also aches like a secret you’re not supposed to admit. At least this single lets you dance it out. – Jeanette Diaz

BIKE - “Sucuri”

Channeling the joined powers of psychedelia and rock music, Brazilian band BIKE releases their latest track “Sucuri,” named after the snake popularly known as an anaconda. The repetitive cycle of the song’s instrumentals, particularly percussion and electric guitar, create a type of hypnotic guided meditation sonic aesthetic, which aligns perfectly with the intention behind the composition, since this is one of the tracks present in the band’s upcoming album, Noise Meditations. The nonsensical lyrics are actually a nod to an indigenous Brazilian legend by the Kaxinawá people, which talks about a man who falls for a woman-snake, the titular Sucuri. The rebellious and complex nature of the track, along with its animalistic metaphors, seems to echo the feelings present in another iconic landmark of Brazilian rock music, 1986’s Cabeça Dinossauro by Titãs. With all the references imbued into it, “Sucuri” still manages to be a singular experience, with a lot of personality, that not so gently guides the listener through its psychedelic waves. Júlia Henn

Valentina Perdido - “Chess”

This week, NYC-based Puerto Rican crooner Valentina Perdido releases her sophomore EP, Perdido. It’s the first since her debut, Valentina, all the way back in 2022. But it’s a fantastic evolution of the sound she displayed there. In Perdido, she expands her range, from the smoky, jazzy sound she began with to Daptone Records-esque vintage soul in “Would You Have Loved Me?” and more modern pop, as evidenced by her latest single, “Chess.” Tracks like “Suspicious Mind” show a knack for dance, and “Verano” demonstrates that her songwriting shines in Spanish as well, as does her talent for making catchy Latine pop. It’s the kind of versatility that can excite any fan of good music. — Juan J. Arroyo

Irany - “Soy Fuerte”

Picture a pair of swinging doors inside a warm western saloon, and the bam, they get kicked open by Irany, a singer, composer, and multistrumentalist as the sound of a stern and soulful accordion develops masterfully to the tune of her latest single, “Soy Fuerte.” Produced by Jay Hernandez and written by her mother Irma Cortez, Irany serenades with resolve that she no longer asks for permission and is the one in command. As a skillful guitar sound becomes more passionate and complex with each verse as she states, “I stand tall, face up high, nobody will take away the power I hold inside.” Straight from Mexicali, Baja California, she has made an impressive career with a number of milestones that proudly display her sound and commitment to her roots. This is the perfect track to listen to when you or one of your friends needs a reminder to put on your boots and push forward knowing that “by yourself you shine brighter” and telling yourself, “Soy Fuerte”. – La Morra Lisa

Kidd Voodoo, Yandel - "MUÑECOTA"

Following his recent release Satirología Vol. 3, Chilean reggaeton artist Kidd Voodoo teamed up with el movimiento superstar Yandel for his latest collaboration, “MUÑECOTA.” Produced by Dysbit, the reggaeton track starts with strong bass and guitar chords that quickly usher in thick electronic synths, unraveling the steamy, perreo-ready melody. With mesmerizing synth textures and a throbbing bass, the two reggaeton stars lay their verses describing a perfect baddie – or a muñecota – with the most enticing moves. Together, they deliver a solid pre-gaming track that’ll keep you dancing all summer night long. – Jeanette Hernandez

Javier Arce - “PELO”

After sharing a couple of collaborative singles as a solo artist and a whole album fronting Cocofunka in the last three years, Costa Rica’s Javier Arce opens a new chapter in his career now as a Los Angeles-based artist, and he shares his single “PELO” to kick off this phase. Arce gives us tender vocals and softened breakbeats and uses the recurring image of changing his hairdo to symbolize something has changed within, and it’s the crack that will eventually turn into a romantic breakup. Saxophone lines typically used to evoke seduction pop up here to add to the melancholy of imminent heartbreak, and jazzy chords let just enough light in to find hope in the future. – Cheky

Madi Diaz - “Feel Something”

Singer-songwriter Madi Diaz hasn’t shied away from making highly personal and emotionally-charged music, yet “Feel Something” sounds like an even more intense and cathartic experience. Lyrically, the song goes back and forth between the protagonist and another person, calling out to each other for feelings to come out. Musically, the track is a primal scream, starting as a stripped-down acoustic guitar joint before picking up speed, strumming harder, and minimal musical elements joining in. “Feel Something” rushes towards frustration, demanding sentiments to rise from beneath her body, and Diaz succeeds in this endeavor, resulting in a performance that’s skillful, beautiful, and desperate. — Marcos Hassan

WONDERFOX - “Luna”

Los Angeles-based alternative rock music collective WONDERFOX yearns for freedom and a sense of belonging on their latest single, “Luna.” Bandleader Isabel Valencia dedicates the song to the queer community and those with the “courage to express themselves authentically” amid an increasingly harsh and isolating world. Plush ambient guitars pilot the song’s supernatural soundscape as WONDERFOX puts their dream pop influences on full display throughout this anthem of resilience. – Nayeli Portillo

michi - “body language”

Dominican chanteuse michi has maintained steady momentum as a rising R&B star, releasing a Y2K-inflected EP titled thinkin’ ’bout it back in May and already announcing her follow-up, Sellout, for Sept.18. On “body language,” the first single from this new chapter, she taps singer and producer gabycabral! for a beat reminiscent of early Neptunes scorchers, with bilingual lyrics musing on the physical conversations our mouths aren’t always equipped to communicate. With an aesthetic of saturated fuchsias and paparazzi candid shots, it seems michi has been studying archival editions of People Magazine and US Weekly to harness the messy thrill of early aughts celebrity and evergreen pop longing. – Richard Villegas

 

Joan Page - “Este amor me quiere (hacer daño)” 

On a quest to unveil the last song of the summer, Joan Page’s latest is a fountain of Latine vitality and traditional grooves. After splitting with his group, Juanpalitoschinos, Joan Page, aka JP, has been making strides in establishing himself as an independent voice in the Latine indie space, and his debut EP establishes that he is a force of interpersonal songwriting in his own right, presenting vulnerable lyricism with pop-rock melodies. An element that brought a lot of character to Juanpalitoschinos’ music that Page is emulating here is the strong influence of sentimental pop ballads with progressive rock production. His charm lies in the subtle, intimate strings he plays and the softer choruses he sings, with his stylish flair bleeding itself into the DNA of every track present. The title track “Este amor me quiere (hacer daño)” steals the show of the EP with the brightest display of charismatic instrumentation and oozes with confidence. – Alan Baez

Vatos Tristes - “Sugar Water”

Self-described illi-noise mexwest emo band Vatos Tristes share their latest single “Sugar Water.” A shapeshifting alternative track, it opens with a hypnotic trumpet that eases into a lounge-inspired melancholy before erupting into a pulsing, full-bodied indie rock confessional. The lyrics explore the kind of heartbreak that goes down like its title — easy in theory, but cloying in the throat the moment emotion-backed glances are exchanged. Lo-fi guitars, driving percussion, and a gnarled vocal delivery hold the tension between surrender and pride that capture the faint act of moving on while still feeling everything. Midway through, dance commands a breakdown that sparks a moment of kinetic release before the track dissolves back into the embered hush it began in. This isn’t a song wrapped in closure. It’s about the ache of knowing you still want someone who could fill the emptiness, but choosing distance, knowing that staying might break them and leaving could be the last kind thing to give. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t losing someone but surviving everything their eyes can still manage to say, even when their mouths can’t. — Jeanette Diaz

Joss ML, Enayy - “Como Tony”

Joss ML’s latest release, “Como Tony,” a collaboration with artist Enayy, is a fast-paced, fun bit of music that is guaranteed to make everyone around it sway their hips in time with the beat. The Mexican singer’s authenticity and charisma manages to craft his own brand of reggaetón, making the lyrics and beats sound undoubtedly like himself. The accompanying music video is an entertaining amalgamation of fantasies belonging to an ascending music star, while keeping it grounded in the urban scene by using a warehouse as a location, which perfectly encapsulates the contrasts and subtleties of Joss ML’s own artistic persona. Júlia Henn

Andrea Cruz feat. Yorka - “Desde acá” 

Andrea Cruz has a sublime gift for songwriting that has produced moving and soul-stirring songs since her debut in 2017. Like her idol, indie pop icon Feist, her pen and dulcet tones manage to uncover emotions that — tragically — otherwise stay blanketed by daily ennui. In her new single, “Desde acá,” she teams up with Chilean sister duo Yorka for a track that connects the yarn strings of love and desire and melancholy and hope into a coalesced expression that will hopefully resonate with listeners. Cruz has an innate touch and sense about the power of well-spun lyrics, and here she demonstrates again that in that regard, she’s one of one. — Juan J. Arroyo

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