20 New Songs to Listen to This Week From YADAM to MJ Nebreda & Safety Trance

10.11.24 at 09:28

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 YADAM, MJ Nebreda with Safety Trance, and Kidd Keo. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.

YADAM - “QUE ARRECHERA (no tener dinero)”

It’s no secret our increasingly phone-centric lives have driven artists to seek social media virality as a means to reach new audiences, but rarely does silly online banter turn into a fan-manifested banger. In the case of Venezuelan pop singer Yadam, a facetious lament about being penniless that went viral on TikTok earlier this year has received the studio treatment on the new single “QUE ARRECHERA (no tener dinero).” Opening on the clip’s original melodramatic piano, the track unpacks very real anxieties over healthcare coverage and providing for family as the music swerves through epic pop-rock and baile funk, hinting at more waist-winding earworms to come. – Richard Villegas

MJ Nebreda, Safety Trance - “Tu Me Das”

Continuing her hot streak of inescapable club classics, Miami-based producer/ DJ MJ Nebreda is teaming up with Barcelona-based DJ Safety Trance for one last serotonin surge of the summer. MJ Nebreda is an amalgamation of countless musical styles and experiences put into one celestial body. Her music manages to hit from multiple angles and can be the right soundtrack for your night, given the circumstances. As her music stylings evolve through eclectic trial and error and with one major project to her name, Nebreda is capitalizing on the moment and choosing to move with a sense of ambition instead of comfort. She’s garnered a multitude of sounds under her belt, ranging from digital e-girl soft to moody rave music. “Tu Me Das” taps into a more reggaeton sound, but with deeply sinister sounding undertones. With her newest work, Nebreda is still experimenting with textures, finding room to try new things with different creative colleagues, leading to refreshing tracks that make you wonder where else she can take her sound. – Alan Baez

Kidd Keo - "El Hombre Casado"

“El Hombre Casado” is Kidd Keo’s newest single (featuring Dominican actor and artist Carlos Montesquieu) from his highly anticipated EP Rockport Espacial 3, which is simply exploding with irony and a (truly killer) Latin Club beat. With lyrics like “Vaya a fregar, a cocinar / El hombre casao’ es casao’ y nada más” (“Go wash dishes, go cook / A married man is married, and nothing more”), the track is a comical lament on how difficult a man’s life becomes once he gets married. The vibrantly chaotic music video, directed by Rodrigo Films, shows the hilarity that ensues in this parallel world where the wives demand househusband behavior from their modern man. – Sofia Viera

Mike Bahía, Daniel, me estás matando - “BoleritoRemix”

Colombian reggaeton-pop singer Mike Bahía gives his latest track “Bolerito,” originally released last month, a little upgrade and enlists recent NPR Tiny Desk performers Daniel, Me Estás Matando for an even more romantic remix of the track. The self-described “boleroglam” aficionados from Mexico City add a touch of their stripped-down nostalgic sound to Bahía’s deeply sensual but extremely bittersweet ballad about letting go. Newly added honeyed harmonies give the track an old-school bolero style makeover perfect for a slow-dance. – Nayeli Portillo

Soge Culebra - “1 Noche”

Soge Culebra had massive success with last year’s album, STORM, and he returns this week with a new eight-track EP titled Energía. In contrast with STORM, this new project has the Murcian artist pivoting to themes that he feels are more joyful and optimistic. The lead single, “1 Noche,” is on its surface a perreo about desire and wanting to spend a night with their crush. But he also sprinkles in lines about overcoming personal insecurities and making that one night into an entire lifetime. As his star rises dramatically, Soge is redirecting his energy towards creating a space where he — and his fans — can thrive at their best. — Juan J. Arroyo

That Mexican OT - "War Wounds (feat Maxo Kream and Lil Keke)"

That Mexican OT has already helped put Texas rap on the map, but now he’s back with “War Wounds” to ensure we don’t forget why it deserves to stay there. Inviting fellow venerated Texas MCees Maxo Kream and Lil Keke, the trio alternate through fiery bar deliveries as hot as the temperatures of the Lonestar state they proudly represent. Providing an ode to their beloved province, the single shines insight into the uniqueness of growing up in the battleground that can be Texas, all while praising the ways it has contributed to the confident, courageous people they are today. Echoing the sentiments of the lyricism, the video takes place on the paintball field, sharing in the sentiment of how quickly pseudo-wars can turn into real ones if you’re not careful. – Jeanette Diaz

Gonzy - “Instinto Animal”

“Instinto Animal” is the focus track for Gonzy’s newest album, THE WORLD IS YOURS. Showcasing all of the Cuban-American singer’s specialties, such as R&B, reggaeton, and pop, the song also squeezes in the use of Latine funk beats during its chorus to create an intensely sensual auditory atmosphere. The lyrics match the rhythm perfectly, taking the listener on a journey of raw desire, passion, and boiling chemistry from the very first notes. As enticing a tune as “Instinto Animal” proves itself to be, the competition is tough among all the other songs in the well-crafted album. The suggestion here is simple: listen to THE WORLD IS YOURS in its entirety and end up with a new playlist for your nights out. – Júlia Henn

Jandino - "No Debí"

Following his latest collaboration “Que Suerte” with Tuny D and Alkilados, the Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Jandino releaseds “No Debí.” The new ballad explores a personal heartbreak, detailing how he thought the relationship would last longer. He even shouts out the Chinese folklore Red Strong Theory, which he says wasn’t strong enough to sustain the broken relationship. With a sentimental tune featuring a rhythmic deep bass, melodic synths, and gently plucked guitar strings, accompanied by the artist’s distinctive croons, the song captures the vulnerability and repercussions of wearing your heart on your sleeve. – Jeanette Hernandez

Molina - “I Am Your House”

Danish Chilean artist Molina continues to hand us experimental tracks that capture the feeling of lullabies from the future. There’s a nostalgic quality to “I Am Your House,” recalling Broadcast’s early music in all its melancholic glory, with guitars shimmering around whispered vocals and floating rhythms. You can almost grasp the human touch captured in this recording thanks to how all the instruments fall together in an askew yet warm way. Without a doubt, “I Am Your House” is among the best tracks Molina has given us this year. — Marcos Hassan

Lulannie - “My Kite”

Known for her stunning visual work, U.S.-based Venezuelan artist Jennifer Medina has spent her 2024 going back to exploring music under her Lulannie alias, now dropping her seventh song of this year, “My Kite.” On the self-produced single, Medina slows down a drum and bass-tinted break to back up the haunting melodies she sings in her soft voice. “How high do you wanna fly?” she asks in a seductive but reassuring way as she becomes the string to a loved one’s kite, making sure she keeps them grounded while they run wild. – Cheky

Kei Linch, Rapsusklei - “Todo Cambia”

After dropping an illustrious project mixed in nostalgic harmonies and cultural exchanges, Kei Linch is back with her first track since Dulcinea, with a taste of what fans can expect next from the Colombian rapper. Kei Linch, who fans can recognize as Anarkía, is taking her sound in a more mature direction. Her debut album Dulcinea demonstrated a knack for writing hard hooks over punchy beats and hauntingly sung melodies at the same time. One track that blended this skill was “Todo Cambia,” featuring Spanish rapper Rapsusklei, which just so happens to be the first taste of the upcoming reimagining of Linch’s debut album from earlier this year. Her latest album gets the unplugged treatment, putting emphasis on the live aspect, resulting in something remarkably more jazzy. Linch shines in a live setting, and she’s well aware of it. The live rendition of “Todo Cambia” brings an extra layer of charm to the instrumental and carries the weight of Linch’s vocal performance much better, resulting in a heavy hitter polishing a song that already stood out. – Alan Baez

Loli Fuji - “Mandarina”

The Costa Rican dreampop band Loli Fuji has unveiled a new EP adorably titled Loli Fruti, naming each song after a bevy of sweet and tart fruits that conjure the spirit of their namesake. Rummage through their edible arrangement and bask in the atmospheric indie rock of “Papaya” or the unexpected post-punk of “Fresa.” But perhaps the most surprising twist of all arrives on “Mandarina,” which turns a romantic character study into an acidic, but oh so refreshing, slice of nu-metal. – Richard Villegas

Grupo Marca Registrada, Diferente Nivel - "Bruce Wayne"

Calling all Dark Knight fans! This regional Mexican song by Grupo Marca Registrada and Diferente Nivel is all about everyone’s favorite DC Comics superhero, Batman — or the man under the cowl, his true identity of Bruce Wayne. The track, aptly named “Bruce Wayne,” chronicles a life filled with luxury, power, and mystery under a cover of night. The lyrics talk about discrete power and respect, where they enjoy the riches of their work while never forgetting their beginnings and the people who remained loyal throughout it all. – Sofia Viera

tiffa - “septiembre”

For five months earlier this year, Tiffany Román Louk went on tour and shared the stage with one of — if not the biggest — artists in the world. On every night of his “Most Wanted Tour,” Bad Bunny sat on a piano and sang some of his hits while Román interpreted them on eighty-eights. Now, she’s embarking on a new arc, releasing her first original single under the moniker tiffa. “Septiembre” is a personal composition for her, as the month has been the date of many of the biggest shifts in her life. Referring to the project as a “melifluo,” she built it from real life ambient recordings she made over the past years and, along with her dulcet keys, created a track that flows over the soul like a balm of honey. — Juan J. Arroyo

Kat Luna - “No Soy Yo”

After teasing us with a Spanglish version of “That Girl” just last week, country singer Kat Luna drops a fresh reworking entitled “No Soy Yo,” sung entirely in Spanish. “No Soy Yo” is a candid breakup ballad driven by warm piano and gentle pedal steel that marks a major turning point in the Cuban-American country star’s solo career following the disbandment of her former project Kat & Alex. On “No Soy Yo,” Luna looks inward and frees herself from the gravitational pull of an ex whom she’s outgrown and has no intention of ever going back to. – Nayeli Portillo

NOISES - “BNP (Brown & Proud)”

San Diego-based electronic producer NOISES shares a new club-ready single, especially for the West Coast folks, with “BNP (Brown & Proud).” Bridging everything from genres to generations, the track is an energetically innovative and immediately infectious groove house rhythm that’s met with the unmatchable lyrical flows of old-school Chicano rap. Dropping as a personal homage during Latine History Month, the song paves the way for dance-fueled moments of representation and appreciation within the world of electronic music towards the influential Chicano culture that has permeated the Sunshine Coast for decades. – Jeanette Diaz

Rogê - “A Rã”

Rogê’s version of João Donato and Caetano Veloso’s “A Rã” strays from the path of the original in many ways, simultaneously infusing the track with his own identity and paying homage to the most recorded song in Donato’s catalog. Where the ‘70s tune exhibits a more introspective and almost meditational atmosphere, Rogê’s rendition goes for bigger and brighter sounds, appealing to bossa nova elements to reimagine the descriptive and ludic lyrics in a more modern and fast-paced light. But comparisons are futile when the main goal of the 2024 version was never to compete with the original, only to express gratitude and love for an important influence of his own in Brazilian music. – Júlia Henn

Funambulista & La La Love You - “Que nadie me llore”

With a captivating strumming guitar intro, Spanish artist Funambulista and Spanish pop band La La Love You’s “Que nadie me llore” transports you back to listening to Y2K pop-rock songs on the local radio. The track carries feel-good pop-rock elements by featuring a melodic electric guitar, bass, and pulsing drums. Together, they check off the boxes for a mainstream pop radio tune, complete with a catchy melody and rebellious lyrics that get stuck in your head. “Que nadie me llore” will be part of Funambulista’s album, which is scheduled to drop next year. – Jeanette Hernandez

Zach Templar - “changes”

Zach Templar is a young British Colombian singer bringing us new vibes and sounds, and his new track will set the mood whenever it’s played. “changes” features lo-fi bedroom aesthetics at their best, from unadorned drums to trippy guitars, studio trickery, and frank, reverb-heavy vocals. Templar takes some pretty impressive leaps with his vocals as the track progresses, giving us a sense of tension and excitement only to fall back into chillwave territory. Once you dive into its melodic richness, you’ll find an excuse to stay within its sonic landscape. — Marcos Hassan

Damaris Bojor - “Profundamente Bien”

Straight from Sonora, Mexico, Damaris Bojor is on a personal quest to resignify Regional Mexican music to match her own values while blending it with American country music in a style she named “folk pirano,” and she takes on a Kacey Musgraves song from her latest album to make that point. “Profundamente Bien” is a Spanish cover of Musgraves’ “Deeper Well,” turned around by those Sierreño guitars and Bojor’s singing style. Just as in the original song, Bojor reflects on how she needs to let go of people and habits that are dragging her down in order to grow. – Cheky

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