20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Marito Ramirez to Raissa

07.11.25 at 01:29

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 Marito Ramirez, Raissa, and Mawiza. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

Marito Ramirez - “Krush”

Opening with sounds reminiscent of an innocent music box, “Krush” by Marito Ramirez turns into a love and hate letter from a very torn heart once the heavy synths kick in. Ramirez is infatuated with a guy, while knowing that he’s not his best choice to pursue. With softly delivered lyrics like, “Tell me you want me, but don’t talk to me” and, “I don’t need you, but I do want you,” the relatable push and pull is made clear over a trap-sounding beat that is sure to lure you into the rest of his new album, MaritoWrld. And just as the visualizer makes it clear, the dress code to jump into this fantasy world is pink and fabulous. – La Morra Lisa

Raissa - “HEAVEN IS A DANCE FLOOR”

For the talented artist Raissa, the pains and sorrows of a life lived through the chaos of our current world can be forgotten, at least temporarily, in the embrace of a bright dance floor. That’s what the hopeful track “HEAVEN IS A DANCE FLOOR” is all about. One of the main singles from her newest EP, DESIRE PATH, the song is a fitting tribute to the healing power of finding joy in the smallest pleasures and most unexceptional moments shared with friends. The quickening of the beat when we reach the chorus is a perfect representation of the happiness achieved by simply giving yourself over to those simple moments of glee, just like the titular dance floor, for example. – Júlia Henn

Mawiza - “Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan (feat. Joe Duplantier)”

In the run-up to their new album, ÜL, Mapuche metal band Mawiza has unveiled “Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan,” or “The Last Harp Call,” a blistering new single giving voice to the ailing Earth beneath our feet. Conjuring imagery of unbreathable air and overflowing garbage dumps, the song echoes the urgent protectionist calls of their previous single, “Mamüll Reke,” which denounced the brutal deforestation of southern Chile from an active timber site. Amplifying their call to action, the band is joined by Joe Duplantier, leader of the iconic French metal band Gojira, for some hardy wails, while the constant plucks of a Mapuche harp bring the global discourse back to the sacred, unbowing territories of Wallmapu. — Richard Villegas

La Valentina - “ASHO”

Paris-based Colombian artist La Valentina debuted in 2022 with her ENCANTADA mixtape, and after an EP and a handful of singles, she’s back with a new Tonio 8cho-produced track entitled “ASHO.” Balancing between a skittery funk carioca-adjacent beat and thick layers of moody atmospheric synths, La Valentina embodies melancholy in a soft voice that barely breaks over a whisper, collaging ideas that are tied together by heartbreak. Sprinkling her lyrics with some French, she struggles with the idea of being alone as something scary but also necessary. The song comes with a music video that documents La Valentina’s first time in Colombia after 25 years, and it’s a joy to watch. — Cheky

Porter - “América”

Mexican alternative rock band Porter is ushering in a new era with their single “América.” Lead singer David Velasco’s siren-like vocals dance on top of heavy synthesizers, a groovy melody, and an entrancing electric guitar that set the mood for what’s coming in their forthcoming album Rituales. With political lyrics and mesmerizing, psychedelic visuals, “América” criticizes a country that has always been at war, from a neighboring land’s POV. “Nunca has querido dar explicaciones / A tu traición y tus contradicciones,” Velasco croons as the melody reaches psychedelic tinges, giving listeners a taste of their signature sounds that loyal fans have been missing since Las Batallas. – Jeanette Hernandez

Mengers - “Z”

Mexico City’s Mengers has been able to conjure mutant sounds in the service of circle pits everywhere. However, for their latest single, they use their talent for mangled punk energy to harness a groove. “Z” features wobbly synths and aquatic funk basslines, keeping every instrument in the pocket, with electronic alien soundscapes and analog instruments weaving in and out of the mix. The result is overblown, distorted, and highly enjoyable. Mengers capture the essence of excitement in music, bringing a retrofuturistic take on rock and rave that will have fans screaming in ecstasy. — Marcos Hassan

Pepe Aguilar - “Corrido de Juanito”

On “Corrido de Juanito,” Mexican icon Pepe Aguilar transforms his anthemic storytelling into a heartfelt act of solidarity. Originally written by Edén Muñoz, the reworked song traces a son’s migration to the U.S., capturing both the loud hope and quiet grief of leaving family and belonging behind. Driven by the richness of traditional guitar strums and anchored by his unmistakable voice and emotional gravitas, Aguilar honors those who walk the hardest roads with dignity, weaving in his own family’s story shaped by migration and offering the single as something deeply personal. All proceeds from the song will benefit immigrant rights organizations, making this corrido more than just a song, but a living testimony to resilience. It is also a reminder that music, at its best, not only tells stories but also holds the power to create tangible change. — Jeanette Diaz

Armenta - “Déjame”

There’s nothing worse than realizing that all the love in a relationship has died, but Armenta goes head to head with those demons on his latest single “Déjame.” The Sinaloa singer first made a name for himself in the world of música mexicana as one of the key songwriters behind massive hits like “Bebe Dame” and “Igualito a Mi Apá.” But these days, he’s reentered the spotlight as a solo artist dishing out stinging torch songs about his difficulties with moving on from heartbreak. On “Déjame,” Armenta alternates between admitting defeat, knowing he’ll never find another like his old flame, and wishing to disappear as a way of never having to stand face to face again, all against a backdrop of somber guitars and horns. – Nayeli Portillo

SANTAKARLA - “best friend”

When SANTAKARLA chooses to hide her visage, it’s purposeful. The Puerto Rican artist considers themselves a composer before a singer, and thus wishes to put the focus on her song’s lyrics first and foremost. Her newest EP, canciones que fueron poemas., straddles the lines between lo-fi, R&B, and indie rock in an experimental way that favors KARLA’s unique song structure and cadence. For her, each release is the equivalent of a new book drop, as she eschews standard verse-chorus-verse song format in lieu of a stream of consciousness flow. She handles it deftly and, despite its quirk — or because of it — she manages to make them catchy and hip. — Juan J. Arroyo

Yasser Tejeda - “Una Cascada De Miel”

“Una Cascada de Miel” sways with an unbelievably confident level of suave. Following his 2023 album, La Madrugá, Dominican producer and vocalist Yesser Tejeda is reinventing his sound from a developed position. The first single of Tejeda’s upcoming arc takes a step back from traditional bachata and incorporates elements of a myriad of musical ideas to push the genre forward while maintaining the connection to the traditional Caribbean music Tejeda has associated with. “Una Cascada de Miel” is focused and elegant, a departure from his previous tones for a more mature sound. It fuses notes of bachata, bolero, and reggae, along with jazzy overtones, expressing a new shade of tenderness. The energy present keeps the track grounded, but that doesn’t hinder Tejeda’s passion for the vocal work. It allocates space in the way he sings the chorus, which translates the meaning behind his words so intimately. – Alan Baez

Sofia Castro - “Emociones”

Throughout history, many artists have sung to their lovers, the moon, and themselves. But very few sing directly to their own emotions as if they were characters in a story, and even less, and perhaps only in Sofia Castro’s case, a baby cow. Proudly representing the freshest voices in the Bogo-Pop movement, a wave of artists bringing Bogotá’s rich musical identity to the global scene, Castro delivers an exquisitely produced track. In “Emociones,” she tries to bargain with her different emotions while experiencing them all at once in a whirlwind that includes staring at the beauty of the abyss, missing an ex, painfully crying all day long, and enjoying the image of a beautiful baby animal. The funny and stylish music video is proof that Castro can explore an important and relatable subject while cheekily delivering her vision through a musical style that feels new, memorable, and carried with enough stage presence and cuteness to compete with a formidable and soon-to-be iconic scene partner, the baby cow. – La Morra Lisa

Melly - “Tenha Calma”

Djavan is one of the most iconic names in Brazilian music, widely regarded as one of the best voices to have come from the South American country. It’s no surprise that other artists have been doing covers of his songs for years, as a way of paying homage to his monumental talent as both a singer and lyricist. Bringing together new names from the record label Slap, such as Jonathan Ferr, Jota.pê, Bruna Black and others, the album Canto Djavan has these young artists performing their own renditions of classics and forgotten treasures, originally sung by Djavan. With “Tenha Calma,” the 24-year-old soul singer Melly brings a new, feminine, powerful, and impactful twist to the track, making it more modern and energizing with her low, beautiful voice that keeps us wanting more even minutes after the last note plays in our ears. – Júlia Henn

Javier Cali - “Yso Naba”

Mexican singer and producer Javier Cali has spent the last few years canvassing his emotions across a series of R&B and synthpop EPs oscillating between heartbreak and giddy stomach butterflies. His latest release, Calorama, falls into the latter category, collecting songs of nostalgic summer romances and hopeful new trysts while dipping into new jack swing and The Marias-esque yacht pop. With a fresh, upbeat palette, “Yso Naba” stands out as a house thumper about the cinematic soundtracks that accompany passionate makeout sessions, blurring the imperfections that linger in our memory with the hues and contours of a sensual Instagram filter. — Richard Villegas

Nó - “quarta-feira (feat. Antonio Leoni)”

From Minas Gerais, Brazil, Nó is a duo formed by Caio Tavares and Rodrigo Leão, which debuted less than a year ago with their first album Aproar, a lovely introduction to their breezy MBP-infused sound. They have now released a three-track EP with a name that perfectly describes the way it was made: calmo e urgente. Opening track “quarta-feira” is a short-and-sweet moment that screams “saudade,” from its throwback lo-fi aesthetic to its moving lyrics. Featuring production from Antonio Leoni, the song compares the end of a relationship with an Ash Wednesday after Carnival, when the fantasy bubble bursts and all that’s left is an emotional hangover. — Cheky

Lucrecia Dalt - “caes (ft. Camille Mandoki)"

On her latest single, avant-gardist Lucrecia Dalt teams up with Mexico’s Camille Mandoki, a similarly daring artist, to bring us a song full of rhythm, vulnerability, and experimentation. “Caes” Intertwins their vocals into pleasant harmonies while synths move around them, with Dalt and Mandoki navigating the track with ethereal grace and providing a steady groove with their vocals; with the drums on the track bringing a martial attack instead of its rhythmic foundation. “caes” is a song that flows in a stream of abstraction and melody, sounding pleasant yet challenging at the same time, resulting in a rewarding listening experience. — Marcos Hassan

Kobi Cantillo - "Ganas De Verte (feat. Robi)"

What happens when two heartthrobs team up? Venezuelan pop artist Kobi Cantillo and Puerto Rican singer Robi unleashed their newest collaboration, “Ganas De Verte,” a full-on flirty and sensual track with gentle guitar chords drenched in a pop melody. Together, the two artists demonstrate what the next wave of Latine pop stars has to offer, intertwining their R&B and pop signature sounds – and almost interchangeable soothing and boyish vocals – into one Miami-inspired sonic adventure. “[The song] comes from that feeling you get when you run into that person you’ve been wanting to see for a long time and they pop up by coincidence,” Cantillo shared about the new track. “It talks about that moment when everything is set in motion by a provocative gaze that ends in a kiss.” – Jeanette Hernandez

Ex Lover - “Perro”

Latine post-punk duo Ex Lover, hailing unexpectedly from Omaha, NE, delivers a new darkwave spell with their latest single “Perro.” The track swells with shadowy synths and throbbing beats that evoke a nocturnal dreamscape charged with hypnotic sensuality and defiance, found within breathy slow kisses, restless motion, and a yearning that refuses to fade. Lyrics drift between the slow burn of “beso lento” and fiercer refrains like “porque no soy tu perro,” refusing labels and asserting the right to move through temptation with full autonomy. Beneath layers of echo and reverb, the song pulses with charged tension, capturing a body and mind caught between longing, control, and the power to walk away. The track’s spirit conjures a quiet defiance, slipping away as it pleases and leaving only an intoxicating hush behind. It’s a gothic dance-floor confession where desire and independence blur into one, reminding us that even in the shadows of magnetism, leaving can become its own form of dark seduction. — Jeanette Diaz

Manu Chao - "Solamente (feat. feat Santa Fe Klan)"

Leave it to Manu Chao and Sante Fe Klan to be adventurous enough to fuse reggae with woozy cumbia rhythms and the diaristic prose of rap into a new song and have it be an absolute banger. On “Solamente,” the duo sheds some light on holding onto a sense of selfhood and identity amid overwhelming feelings of alienation that come as the byproduct of rapid globalization and the nefarious forces of capitalism (“Ya se fue navidad/se fueron las flores/también el invierno/y yo con soledad en esta ciudad, se parece a el infierno…Cuando sera que volvera la primavera?”). But it’s not all gloom and doom as the two working-class heroes remind us of the breakthroughs and rebirths that come out of internal conflict in this moving protest song and anthem of perseverance. – Nayeli Portillo

MARLEY - “Antojito”

Dominican-American singer and songwriter MARLEY released her debut EP, Stubborn Little Heart, last summer and is finally following it up with new material this week. Her latest single is “Antojito,” a tropical ballad that’ll have listeners swaying and nodding along to its infectious groove. In the song, she’s head-over-heels in love and shares her enthusiasm through the lyrics, with the backing instrumentals underlining the sentiment with equal eagerness. Her previous efforts have always been great, but leaning on the melancholic, which makes this emergence of a livelier, sunnier side feel all the more special. — Juan J. Arroyo

Gina D'Soto - "Lay With U"

New York’s latest sensual pop princess finds the rhythm in the most delicate moments and drifts between genres for a refreshing exploration of melody and meditation on relationships. “Lay With U” is the latest from up-and-coming artist Gina D’Soto, incorporating Cuban sensibilities into an exciting mix of pop and R&B rhythms. D’Soto’s first track of the year is a meditation on late-night escapades with the right (or worst) company, drawing energy from a highly intense instrumental to detail a vividly hectic experience. While the song carries the momentous weight of going out and exploring, Soto’s character bleeds through every element, adding an extra human layer of tenacity to the track. Despite not chaining herself to one specific genre, D’ Soto’s usage of multiple influences works in her favor for a track that demonstrates a dynamic range. – Alan Baez

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