20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Sophie Castillo to Ximena Sariñana

04.25.25 at 00:34

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 Sophie Castillo, Ximena Sariñana, and Esteman with Daniela Spalla. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

Sophie Castillo - “Like a Star”

London-based indie artist Sophie Castillo leans into darker pop auras and some sensual ambiguity on her latest single “Like a Star,” the title track from her newly released EP. “Captura mi deseo, mi calor/No importa si esto no es amor/Muéstrale al mundo lo nuestro,” she sings before breaking into a sweet-as-candy chorus that evokes the hazy and stratospheric textures of Doja’s Planet Her. “Like a Star” retains that sense of yearning and longing found throughout Castillo’s catalog, but comes through in a more raw and uninhibited form. – Nayeli Portillo

Ximena Sariñana - “Rompe”

After spending the past few years enriching other Mexican artists with features and going above and beyond mixing the realms of music and activism, Mexico City-based artist Ximena Sariñana returns with a dynamic new EP. “Rompe,” the title track from her latest project, captures the same charm and indie rock spirit that’s been associated with Sariñana’s music for almost two decades and presents rich songwriting and tones that swell with nostalgic indie rock ballads while retaining her individuality. “Rompe” is painted by the nostalgic sounds of classical Spanish rock that inspired Sariñana in her earlier career, with budding rifts and layered vocals in the chorus. “Rompe,” as a whole, presents brilliant songwriting from start to end, accompanied by dynamic compositions that leave you saddened by its short run time. – Alan Baez

Esteman, Daniela Spalla - “Aeropuerto”

Long-distance romance never felt more charmingly bittersweet than on Esteman and Daniela Spalla’s “Aeropuerto,” the second single off their upcoming joint album Amorío. With its string arrangements and vintage Italian inspiration, “Aeropuerto” teleports us to the ‘70s, as Esteman and Spalla intertwine their sweet voices to bask in a romantic light while dreading the imminent geographic distance that awaits them after summer’s over. The retro Cami Grandi-directed music video completes the song’s picture with its humor and aesthetics, taking us on a trip that transports us miles away from our loved ones. Who else knows more about remote relationships than touring musicians? – Cheky

El Malilla, Enayy - "Mundo de Mentiras"

Following his Coachella debut, El Malilla is busy dropping banger after banger. In his newest song “Mundo de Mentiras,” the skyrocketing reggaeton star dials back his bad boy persona to express his sentimental side. Inspired by Puerto Rican salsa icon Tito Nieves’ “Fabricando Fantasías,” the reggaeton mexa artist shows listeners how creative he can be by taking a classic salsa track’s influence and reconstructing it to his liking. The result? A catchy, heartfelt reggaeton number about rekindling a romantic flame featuring El Chamako de Valle’s charming verses that is garnering him more attention than ever before. – Jeanette Hernandez

Nino Augustine, Uproot Andy - "SI ESTÁ BIEN"

Nino Augustine’s first track of the year is a bouncy Latine Afrohouse single made for the dancefloor. Produced by Uproot Andy, the track features a vibrant blend of Afrobeats and Latine percussion, the twinkle of metal drums, and a sultry mix of horns and keys that adds plenty of melodic depth to the beat. Throughout the single, Augustine finds that his lady wants to enjoy the party without him and encourages her to dance the night away with her friends. Augustine and Andy manage to capture the magic of the moment when a song, mix, or rhythm entrances a collective crowd, and everyone becomes lost in dance. In promo clips, Augustine and Andy traverse the streets and bodegas of NYC dancing to the contagious beat, and now that the single is out, we can finally join them. – Rosy Alvarez

Mula - “Popsy 404”

With their new album Eterna slated for release this June, the Dominican trio Mula is on a mission to evolve their long-standing reputation as tropical futurists into hitmakers for all seasons. Nowhere is this effort clearer than on “Popsy 404,” an unrelenting thumper that, for the first time in years, steps away from Pan-Caribbean rhythms and delivers a seismic house earworm of Javiera Mena and Romy proportions. But the recipe hasn’t changed completely, and lyrics of internet romances that creep into your brain like malware prove that Mula are still the undisputed champions of dance floor longing. — Richard Villegas

Adrian Quesada, Angelica Garcia - “No Juego”

From subdued textures to explosive displays of emotion, Black Pumas’s Adrian Quezada has teamed up with ethereal singer-songwriter Angelica Garcia for a powerhouse of a song. “No Juego” inhabits a twilight zone where old school hip-hop beats and trip-hop atmospherics collide into a melodramatic song, like an ‘80s power ballad produced by the RZA. Garcia lets her vocal range loose, from rapping to crooning to full-voiced explosion, she gives the track her all. “No Juego” could be the theme song of a telenovela where beatmakers fight for the love of a balladeer. — Marcos Hassan

Martox - “Un Pambiche”

Dominican duo Martox fuse their “little bit of everything” sound with merengue in their new single “Un Pambiche,” resurrecting an obscure subgenre. Typically known and celebrated for their fusion of R&B, pop house, and more, here, they reach into their country’s vault of glorious music and combine their way with the slower pambiche style of merengue típico. Accompanying them is El Prodigio, an acclaimed merengue accordionist who gives the track a nostalgic flavor, perfectly complementing the melancholic lyrics. Merengue has always been about passion, and Martox pries even more feeling from their song as they lean into that sense of yearning for someone who isn’t there anymore. — Juan J. Arroyo

Octavio Cuadras, Michelle Maciel, Callejo – “TU PNDXO”

Joining forces, these three Mexican artists make “Tu Pndxo” a track worth listening to over and over again. Octavio Cuadras, Michelle Maciel, and Callejo bring each a specific quality to the table, the latter’s charismatic vocal and visual performances proving to be a highlight, without a doubt. The accelerated rhythm of the chorus leaves the listening ear wanting more each time it reaches its end and proceeds into the rest of the song, which is not as fast paced, but equally entertaining in its dynamics between the three voices. The exciting beats make great work of hiding away the melancholic nature of the lyrics, which reflect feelings of longing, exactly as implied by the mirror motif used in the accompanying music video for the song. – Júlia Henn

Clubz - “Número Uno”

Monterrey, Mexico-based power pop duo Clubz has released their awaited third studio album Radio Kono. Like tuning the dials of the radio, they pulled influences and sounds reminiscent of the analog ‘80s to reignite them with modern vigor of lively synths and timeless melodies. On the focus track “Número Uno,” they achieve a disco-tinged guitar pop hit fueled by nostalgic sounds meeting modern upgrades complete with deep bass lines, funky keys, and sunny drum beats. As the track builds its alluring groove, so do the pleas of wanting to be a lover’s one and only, making both sonic and lyrical offerings irresistible by the song’s end. — Jeanette Diaz

Renee Mooi - “Devórame Otra Vez”

Mexican singer Renee Mooi puts her spin on Lalo Rodriguez’s salsa megahit “Ven Devórame Otra Vez,” and takes some inspo from Azúcar Moreno’s 1990 adaptation of the track. The new cover marks her first release since last year’s experimental pop-heavy “SAL” and comes shortly after the announcement of her forthcoming album entitled XANCHEX. Mooi amps up the erotic overtones from the original with a slower tempo, piano, and breathier vocals, giving it a more ethereal feel, or what the artist describes as the sound of “nueva bohemia mexicana.” – Nayeli Portillo

Chezile - “Alē”

Continuing his streak of blending moody jazz influences with indie sensibilities, New Mexico artist Chezile is exploring unfamiliar territories while touching base with himself. “Alē” is the indie artist reaching inwards to new spaces, utilizing soft yet upbeat drum loops to reflect on a significantly low moment in his life. While the production carries more energy in contrast to the melancholic tone in the lyrics, Chezile’s wails in the chorus make the message significantly clear that you can never run away from change. With only an EP under his wing, “Alē” is the most sincere in the singer’s catalog, providing insight into his upbringing and how he was almost crushed from entering the industry. And while “Alē” carries a more upbeat feel compared to his previous single, it hints that more personal music is on the way. – Alan Baez

Isabella Lovestory - “Telenovela”

Isabella Lovestory immerses us in a perreo-fueled soap opera fantasy on her new single “Telenovela” and its music video. Blasting reggaeton beats and sinister synth lines serve as a backdrop for the Honduran artist, who recurs to movie and telenovela references to convey nothing but sex. The song really takes off with its accompanying video, where she calls back to telenovela tropes, hilariously recreating a scene from the viral La Rosa de Guadalupe’s “Soy Emo” episode. In an unexpected twist, she makes love to a TV and ends up having its baby, and it’s all the camp we didn’t know we needed. – Cheky

De La Ghetto (GZ), JC Reyes - “RMPR T”

Dominican-Puerto Rican-American artist De La Ghetto teamed up with Spanish rapper JC Reyes for their newest collaboration, “RMPR T.” With a sensual trap beat topped with a distinctive flute-like nuance, the duo delivers a sexy joint track that gives the mind a lot to imagine. Produced by Jorge Gómez Ríos, aka “UVE,” the melody is accompanied by explicitly flirty croons by both artists that detail the exact fantasy they want to experience with their partner. Moreover, JC Reyes describes the sultry collaboration as a “dream come true” and “proof that when you fight for what you want, you can achieve your goals.” “RMPR T” is part of De La Ghetto’s upcoming EP Daylight. – Jeanette Hernandez

Boza - "san blaS"

In his latest track “san blaS,” singer-songwriter Boza shows us his love runs deep. Throughout the single, Afrobeats percussions envelop the atmosphere with the balmy warmth of sentimentality as Boza serenades his love interest with lyrics of adoration and desire. The admiration, value, and pride that the singer dedicates to his lover are also intrinsically connected to his roots, his culture, and his homeland, as captured in the accompanying video. Shot over two days, along the Senidub, Tubasenika, and Salardub islands, the visuals serve as an acknowledgement of past and present as scenes cut between the couple frolicking and indigenous communities native to the islands perform traditional dances dressed in cultural regalia. Boza’s attention to detail is intentional; the single isn’t just about romantic love but also love of self and of home. – Rosy Alvarez

Menino Gutto, San Pedro Bonfim, Curandeira - “Maduro con queso”

A party anthem about feeling uncomfortable at the function makes perfect sense. But under the experimental guise of Ecuadorian indie stars Menino Gutto, San Pedro Bonfim, and Curandeira, “Maduro con queso” turns the captivating premise into a hypnotic, paranoid cumbia full of noisy vocal samples and comforting sugary treats. Harnessing the group’s mixed Andean and Brazilian heritage, Gutto’s production melds theatrical bassoon with fluttering flutes that nod to bossa nova and Bonfim-led harmonies evocative of classic trio records. The result is an invitation to sip your drink and get lost in the soundtrack, vibing to the party in your head when a sea of necking lovers becomes too overwhelming. — Richard Villegas

Jayrick, Daymé Arocena - “American Boy (Remix)”

No shade to Estelle, but this track could dethrone her classic track as the best song called “American Boy.” Mexican producer Jayrick has conjured up a beat that’s deep with soul, warmth, and full-bodied rhythmic precision. Meanwhile, Daymé Arocena remains a force of controlled emotion, her voice evoking several shades of feelings thanks to her range and texture while serving the song, remaining tasteful yet understated. As a new iteration of neo soul that showcases these two enormous talents to their maximum expression, “American Boy” can kickstart a party or soundtrack a chill breakfast at home. — Marcos Hassan

FARIANA, Kiko el Crazy - “Me Muevo”

Colombian star FARIANA teams up with Dominican hitmaker Kiko el Crazy for “Me Muevo,” a fresh homage to La Mákina’s seminal 1999 merengue hit “No Me Digas Que No.” FARIANA’s career has been on a steady ascent the last few years, and teaming up with fan favorite artist Kiko to remake a beloved classic is another notch in her belt. The track is tailored for fans of the original and newcomers as well, maintaining its frisky energy while allowing FARIANA and Kiko to inject their own modern levity and style. It’s another addition to a summer that seems poised to bring back older genres in new ways. — Juan J. Arroyo

Ventura Profana - “Fôlego”

In her debut album, Todo Cuidado é Pouco, Ventura Profana dedicates herself to peeling back all the different layers that make her a person and an artist. The complexity of the singer’s existence in this world is easily felt throughout the whole album, thrumming with feelings of love, peace, anger, ambition, lust, and compassion, all which reside inside this amazing artist that lives in the threshold between her religious faith as a missionary and being a transvestite. Most importantly, Ventura Profana proves that both can exist in harmony. With the focus track, “Fôlego,” the artist’s strong vocals — in tandem with beautiful percussion and string instrumentals — lean into the seductive nature of lustful desire, described in poetic lyrics that are almost asphyxiating in their intent. – Júlia Henn

Carolina Oliveros - “Pide”

Colombian-born, Brooklyn-based artist Carolina Oliveros (known for her work with Combo Chimbita) is continuing her solo artist trajectory with her second single, “Pide.” The single is a twisted pop track drenched in dark-hued sounds that take a deep dive into the power of manifestation. Experimental electronic textures and traditional Caribbean rhythms are wrapped in a hauntingly beautiful gothic-inspired black and white video, managing to find a captivating fusion that draws you into a new world where Oliveros’ bewitching vocals transform the law of attraction into a worshipped prayer. — Jeanette Diaz

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