This is a weekly compilation of bite-sized song & EP reviews from our music writers. Discover new favs, read nuanced criticism of the week’s hottest releases & more.Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Helado Negro - “Gemini & Leo”
Roberto Carlos Lange, better known under his moniker Helado Negro, drops his latest single “Gemini & Leo,” along with news of an upcoming album “Far In.” The new track features a fantastical dance rhythm fueled by playful electro-beats, energetic percussion, and groovy bass lines that intersect to create an atmosphere where soulful disco thrives. This one is for the fated cosmic lovers looking to get lost in another galaxy illuminated by stars, synths, and space dust. — Jeanette Diaz
The Marías - "Little By Little"
Today, L.A. darlings The Marías released their long-awaited debut album Cinema, showcasing an impressive and effortless versatility with new sound. But with songs like “Little By Little,” they take us back to the breezy sounds we initially fell in love with. In this track, they make us float in the sweet molasses of honest intimacy with a slow tempo and silky-smooth instrumentation, as María Zardoya glides between English and Spanish as if they are one in the same. — Cheky
The Change - “Pa’ Ti”
Dominican singer, producer, and cinematographer The Change brings an undeniable sweetness to “Pa’ Ti,” an acoustic guitar-backed reggaeton bop. The repeated “pa’ ti” of the chorus is satisfying, so much so that you’ll want to sing along or point to those you love with its universal devotional sentiment. The single follows The Change’s “Imperio,” with its queer-love-story video that reached more than a million YouTube views since its late May debut. With the ternura turned to high, confections like these two songs are something The Change is clearly adept in cultivating — solo or in collaboration with other artists. — Jhoni Jackson
Mabe Fratti - “Nadie Sabe”
“Nadie Sabe” could be best described as a pop song, but that’s not the whole picture. Guatemala-via-Mexico City experimentalist Mabe Fratti never does the expected — challenging expectations without confronting the listener. In this case, “Nadie Sabe” is driven by her cello and beautiful vocals punctuated by electronics that twist and turn, resulting in a tremendous song that proves that there are still new ways to write sad songs. — Marcos Hassan
LOLAA - "Besame / Shake My Hand"
Mexican-Canadian duo LOLAA has unveiled a new double-single dripping with sexy melancholy and glossy synthpop melodies they’ve polished into a recognizable sonic signature. Kicking off with “Bésame,” a guitar-heavy melodrama about aching for a lover’s touch crescendos into the prismatic longing of “Shake My Hand,” taking flight on pounding drum loops, dreamy synth stabs, and Lex Valentine’s soaring vocals. — Richard Villegas
MC Buzzz - No Me Viro
Brazilian-born, Spain-based MC Buzzz has expanded the boundaries of his music — literally. He spent a few months in the U.S. chilling with industry friends like Ms Nina or making new music with producers like Craze. The DMC World Champion DJ and producer brings together all of this experience in a new song, overlaying boom-bap drums with a grim violin melody and the classic baile funk beatbox beat. MC Buzzz knows his way and shifts flows along the track, rhyming in Spanish and Portuguese about the hedonistic lifestyle of a kid who has grown to enjoy life at its most in Barcelona streets. — Felipe Maia
Gaby Chuleta & Dāniyyêl - "Sullivan"
His name may not be one you’ve heard yet, but ask about favorite rappers around the indie rap scene in Puerto Rico, and GABY Chuleta will surely pop up. The young trapero has been hustling in the background for years, and is now ready to start moving to the front of the pack with his upcoming EP Dios Los Cria alongside producer Dāniyyêl. Repping a self-described “goth gangbanger” aesthetic, GABY has the same furious energy that propelled stars like Anuel AA in their early pre-fame days. A Latin trap renaissance is around the corner, and GABY is sure to be one of the next generation leaders. — Juan Arroyo
Norii - "I Don't Love You Anymore"
Norii’s new single “I Don’t Love You Anymore” is another one of her ridiculously well-rounded, radio-ready jams that show she’s ready for the big leagues. In this cold, drama-infused song, Norii breaks the news to her significant other that she has suddenly fallen out of love with them, and it feels like a bucket of ice-cold water. She shows she’s ready to fulfill her dreams with someone new with stripped-down verses and an enormous wall of sound-inspired chorus. — Cheky
Baywaves - "Drip" ft. Megansito El Guapo
The psy-pop quartet has finally granted my wish for fresh groovy music in my endless summer playlist. After a long hiatus, Baywaves resorted to remote sessions on Ableton Live, adapting to the new reality of living in different cities. “Drip” is definitely setting the tone of what’s next for the band; perhaps a long-overdue album with más groove and punchy bass lines. — Joel Moya
Victor Internet - "LUV"
Mighty morphing Chicago crooner Victor Internet has found his footing at the intersection of earnest songwriting, catchy grooves, and a refreshing sense of humor that imbues every release with its own charming identity. His latest single, “Luv,” is a prime example of this winning combination as Victor unspools the trials and tribulations of seeking romance and affection while trying not to seem desperate. A veritable jam, “Luv,” is accompanied by a hilariously schlocky music video lampooning dating apps, suggestive gym pics, and early 00s infomercials, reminding us of the frivolity of the love industry being nothing new. — Richard Villegas
Boy Pablo - “I Heart You”
With most of his catalog made up of widely upbeat and lighthearted songs, Boy Pablo brings us the visual counterpart to “I <3 You,” a track where the usual sunny disposition takes a backseat on this melodic rumination of a relationship gone awry. The ballad strips away much of the typical synthesizers and instrumentation while emphasizing the piano as a backbone to a narration that allows us to travel through his remaining fading memories of a love now lost. — Jeanette Diaz
Nite Jewel - “This Time”
If “This Time” was an actual ‘80s ballad, it would ramp up the emotion all the way up — but Ramona Gonzalez knows better. In her hands, the style is subdued, unexpected, and heartfelt. The song lets the hooks do the emoting while the electronics linger with sorrow and regret and even finds time for an epic guitar solo that weeps along with Gonzalez, nodding to the legendary Prince in the process. — Marcos Hassan
Musaraña - “Ropa Sucia”
Profferred as a song with built-in “brujeria…to get rid of negative energies, memories, and relationships that no longer serve us,” this new single from Musaraña is one we’ll accept with eager arms. Like any healing process, “Ropa Sucia” is a journey that initially takes you through electronic pop and piano-laced tunnels. But, then, it’s bouts of slowed-down merengue that take you into a magical, orchestral underground where bat-winged garlic cloves fly around vejigante masks— a very surreal sonically experience. If you’ve been following Musaraña, you’ll get it right away. But for new listeners, preparense, because she’s a trip — a fun one that features music infused with both Latinx traditions and unique directions. — Jhoni Jackson
FOKINFROID - "Miramar"
Better known as one-third of Los Rarxs, FOKINFROID serves provocative bon mots and double entendres with his signature quick delivery. In his just-released EP “Furia Juvenil,” he begins to demonstrate the extent of his talents. Its first single, “Miramar,” is a more fast-paced track in which FROID sings more than he raps while still maintaining the catchiness and bravado that pulls fans in. The fun techno-inspired beat by producer Roach The Ugly is also a departure, but FROID tackles it without hesitation and makes it his own. — Juan Arroyo
Boza - “En La Luna”
Blossoming from the Panamian blended strand of reggaeton and dancehall, the romantic canela music, Boza is making plans to go worldwide — and into space — with his new single. In “En La Luna,” the 24-year-old artist finds himself on moon soil singing sweet lyrics about love over a watered-down reggaeton beat. The slow-paced melody opens up space for Boza to play around with rhyming and different singing styles, making out a perfect jam for an easy-breezy summery Sunday. — Felipe Maia