Photo by José Rozon.
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.
The incandescent Dominican duo Martox is back with a groovy disco ode to serendipity titled “Suerte,” delivering one of their sexiest, most seductive cuts to date. Beyond the soaring track’s sensual lyrics and hypnotic bass lines, Martox has also enlisted production assists from Dominican electronic powerhouses Jordy Sanchez and Adriano Sang, as well as songwriting from Yellow Outlet’s María Taveras. — Richard Villegas
After a trio of collaborations with fellow Venezuelan producers Ferraz and Belmar, Mexico-based singer Eliangel is finally ready to claim the spotlight with her debut solo single, “El Beat.” The ‘90s-inspired house beat is the perfect backdrop for her upbeat club anthem made for us to get lost in the night without holding back, as freely and carelessly as we want to. Borrowing a page from the Sophie Elis-Bextor book, Eliangel describes her intentions very clearly: she’s gonna burn this goddamn house right down. — Cheky
“Candella” is a dancehall bomb. This is the first single by Fedzilla, a Chilean-German artist that has acquired some years of rhyming performing, along with the Afro-Cuban crew WARA and several other acts and sound systems based in London. In her solo debut, the MC spits bars about enjoying a smokey night. The syncopated kicks and pumping bridges concocted by Argentinian producer Eliane Correa fuse together Fedzilla’s energetic laid-down style—a great first impression by the newcomer. — Felipe Maia
The best examples of ‘90s neo-soul hit a particular sweet spot when they blend the right amounts of tradition and futurism, a formula that Norwegian-Brazilian artist Charlotte Dos Santos achieves in “Patience.” Co-produced by the singer with Josh Crocker, the track glides smoothly through jazzy bass tones, brushed drums, heavenly synths, and of course, Dos Santos’ honey-dripping voice, which all collide in a simple chorus that uplifts the spirit. “Patience” is the kind of song that can purify your surroundings in an instant. — Marcos Hassan
Peruvian alt-band Los Niños Vudú releases their new track “TAMAGOTCHI,” and with a name like that it’s sure to attract the attention of Millennial and Zoomer listeners alike. The title is alternatively a play on “estamos gucci,” and also a reference to the lyric’s substance, in which lead singer Inti expresses his process of nurturing himself in order to overcome a difficult adolescence. It’s a track that comes across as both personal and universal, punctuated by a rollickin’ drum and bass coda. — Juan J. Arroyo
Queens-born, Colombian artist STEFA* is not an entity to be missed—and they will make sure you’re paying attention. With their latest single “Costillas,” the non-binary artist opens up the track with boisterous and bellowed chanting calls inspired by their ancestry, that like their spirits, carry throughout the track. The melody then adds notches of heavy percussion, haunting harmonizations, and lyrics that honor earth, body, and spiritual connection to make the single a force to be reckoned with in this realm and beyond. — Jeanette Diaz
If anyone understands the precarious balancing act of a hyperactive digital presence, it’s Trillones, who over the past few years has grown into a prolific force of Mexican electronic music and one of the country’s preeminent meme lords. The busy Mexicali producer has begun increasingly prioritizing disconnection breaks, examined with humor and earnestness on pounding new synth-wave single, “Apago Mi Radar.” And while the anthemic track could easily be narrating the fallout from leaving someone’s messages on read, Trillones’ words also seem to ponder the perils of our unquenchable content addiction. — Richard Villegas
Neither Boricua duo COASTCITY nor Panamanian brothers XAXO are strangers to the mainstream, but with their new joint single “XO,” they’ve hit pop gold. In a world of post-The Weeknd, ‘80s-throwback tracks, “XO” really puts a smile on our face with its charming melodies and blushing lyrics about starting a night with a kiss and some Henny just to see where it goes. There’s not a hair out of place, giving us what we would expect from these pros and then some. — Cheky
Enyel C doesn’t lose grip of his gloomy and yet upbeat take on reggaeton. Paving the way for a full album, and keeping momentum after a couple of releases and a nod by Bad Bunny, the 20-year-old Puerto Rican artist drops a new track that blends perfectly in his particular style. For “Ta To’,” Enyel had the help of Diego Raposo, the Dominican beatmaker that has been making a name for himself with his wavy synth chords and lo-fi textures. A one-off duo that maybe should envision new collabs. — Felipe Maia
To prepare us for Halloween season in spooky fashion, this CDMX band brings us a fun deathrock cover of a Mijares song; think less “Soldado del Amor” and more prince of darkness. Prismatic Shapes go full-stop with their version, thanks to the Joy Division-inspired drum beat, down-struck basslines, and retro synth sounds, coming out the other side with a dark yet fun track that’s shockingly faithful to the original. By the time the squawking sax solo blasts off you might have already grabbed the eyeliner and the Aquanet hairspray. — Marcos Hassan
Hot off the release of their two-track EP Ambivert last August, Puerto Rican dance/pop duo COnCO drops new single “COQUETO.” The track continues the house vibes of their recent output, tapping into rhythms that recall the heady days of techno while putting its own spin on the sound. The flirtatious lyrics, “naughty” by their own admission, mesh well with the beat as both entice listeners into a rapture of its own making. It’s catchy, and like its namesake, coquettish enough to win you over. — Juan J. Arroyo
Leading up to the release of La Cura, the latest EP from Mexican artist Pahua, we received a string of singles that rhythmically explored the frontiers of electronic folk. Her newest,“Control,” pushes the depths of her mastery to the forefront with an infectious dance track that turns Latine rhythms into vibrant colors used to paint a new world of electronica. “Control” is an upbeat reminder that in all moments of doubt, fear must subside as initiative and control inherently live within us all. — Jeanette Diaz
