This is our weekly compilation of newly released bite-sized song reviews from 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 Flor de Toloache, RaiNao, and ChocQuibTown. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Flor de Toloache - “Una Vida y Otra Más”
Flor de Toloache released their fifth album, Motherflower, earlier this week (Oct. 27). And with it, they highlighted their newest single, “Una Vida y Otra Más,” a lively curated samba-inspired track meshed with their emblematic mariachi touch. This rhythmic track is a collaboration with the Argentinian artist Claudia Brandt. As far as the lyrics go, it describes wanting to relive precious memories and the willingness to wait an eternity to feel the same emotion. Well, c’est la vie! – Jeanette Hernandez
ChocQuibTown - “Rebelión”
Afro-Colombian hip-hop trio ChocQuibTown has released a cover of legendary salsero and composer Joe Arroyo’s groundbreaking “La Rebelión.” The track marks the lead single from the original soundtrack accompanying the forthcoming Joe Arroyo biopic Rebelión, directed by Jose Luis Rugeles. Singer Gloria “Goyo” Martinez – noted as the first woman to reinterpret the 1986 mega-hit – leads the way on this moving rendition super-charged with rappers Slow and Tostao’s kinetic verses and triumphant brass crescendos. – Nayeli Portillo
Nino Augustine, Mystro - “Solita”
Nino Augustine can no longer be contained by reggaeton. As the deep-hustling Panameño artist gears up to release his new album Champion Ninz on Nov. 11, he released his latest single, “Solita.” The track follows in the footsteps of previous cuts like “Noche” and “Mine,” steeping in a broader palette of afrobeats and Afro-diasporic rhythms like soca and dancehall. His efforts to connect diaspora and motherland are at their brightest on this latest gem, featuring sweet-crooning Nigerian artist Mystro for a seductive invitation to hit the dance floor, solita or in good company. – Richard Villegas
The Tiarras - “Cumbia en el Cielo”
Austin sister trio The Tiarras pay homage to their deceased loved ones with their new single “Cumbia en el Cielo,” a charming blend of ska, pop, and Mexican tradition. Released just in time for Día de los Muertos, the song captures the balance between joy and grief that’s embedded in this celebration, as well as the longing to be reunited with the ones who have passed one day. It’s a beautiful, cheerful homage to the ancestors who still walk by us and lead our way from the great beyond. – Cheky
Riel - “TKM”
One of Argentina’s best noise rock outfits, Riel has been churning out feedback-laced albums for a few years now, blending melody with skronky instrumentals and psychedelic soundscapes. This balance is thrown out the window on their newest single, dialing back the distortion and giving itself fully to catchy hooks. “TKM” is a bubbly track about falling in love, a sentiment that is reflected in its twee melodies and bouncy rhythms. The fuzz is still there, but “TKM” mostly stays in a rose-tinted lane. — Marcos Hassan
5LOKO - “New York City Art Kids (NYCAK)”
Upstate and upstart band 5LOKO hasn’t been around for too long, but the quality of their output belies their experience. Their newest single, “New York City Art Kids (NYCAK),” is a semi-Spanglish rollickin’ power pop song that also benefits from some subtle rap swag in its veins. The band, composed of members of Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Brazilian backgrounds, takes aim at the ego-driven and superficial scene of wanabís and posers who make their way to culture-rich cities like New York. But their barbs are threaded through a catchy sound that’ll make quick fans out of new listeners. — Juan J. Arroyo
BJF - “Jump Riddim”
Combining crisp baile funk vocal percussions with slick dancehall rhythmics, Brice, aka BJF, sets up a grim atmosphere in “Jump Riddim.” Outlandish blips and sirens all over the place reinforce this mood, making the track synonymous with dark, sweaty club rooms blasting tunes from loudspeakers throughout the night. “Jump Riddim” holds a high spot in the French producer’s latest EP, Uprooted, a tight collection of made-for-twerk tracks. — Felipe Maia
RaiNao - “Mata Hari”
Since her first few releases under the moniker RaiNao, Puerto Rican singer and rabble-rouser Naomi Ramírez has been vocal about reclaiming her sexual autonomy and tearing down the double standards that uphold the seemingly untouchable, exclusionary boys’ club within alternative reggaeton and trap’s respective scenes. On her latest single, she tackles the femme fatale archetype and references Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer who “utilized the power of seduction” to go incognito as a spy during World War I. “Mata Hari” is animated by the brisk, percussive bustle of funk Brasileiro and briefly dips into a lean, hypnotic house-inspired 4/4 pulse, while the singer’s provocative bars stand as confident and razor-sharp as ever. – Nayeli Portillo
2DEEP - “Guaracha En Reggaetonlandia”
The Ecuadorian-Colombian DJ and producer 2DEEP has had quite the year. Following his signage with Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak En Fuego, he released “Guaracha En Reggaetonlandia.” The track celebrates his LA event Reggaetonlandia’s anniversary. It also marks the first release with Dim Mak En Fuego as the label’s first DJ/producer to be signed. The result is a guaracha-infused EDM track that will have you dancing from start to finish – no exaggeration. The fast-paced banger easily encapsulates the energy of being at a perreo party. – Jeanette Hernandez
Rosee Abreu, +Bandalismo - “Del Mismo Color”
There’s no question Rosee Abreu is one of the most exciting young talents out of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic – also home to contemporary luminaries like Mula and Diego Raposo. Bouncing with ease between merengue, rock, and reggaeton, Abreu has grown into a delightful artist to watch as she explores the full range of her abilities and curiosities. Her latest release is “Del Mismo Color,” alongside modular indie band +Bandalismo, a sweet, post-punk-tinged ode to serendipitous encounters and the fear of letting magical moments slip through your fingers. – Richard Villegas
Chancha Via Circuito - “Cometa” (ft. Fémina)
The road to the release of Chanca Via Circuito’s fifth full-length La Estrella continues. The 11-track album, set to drop on Nov. 11, features an impressive list of guests, including Lido Pimienta, Meridian Brothers, Las Áñez, and Fémina, who appear on his new single “Cometa.” Chancha’s evocative beats are a rocket ship made of leaves, bark, and vines, and Fémina take a ride in it across the stars, intertwining their glowing voices, chasing their dreams together against all adversity. – Cheky
Sadfields - “De Prisa”
Mexico City’s Sadfields are no strangers to making melancholic music. Since their beginnings, they have shown a preference for shoegazey walls of guitars and whispery, melancholic vocals. Their latest in a string of singles sees them plunge deeper into darkness, delving into goth rock that would make a band like Sisters Of Mercy proud. “De Prisa” also boasts the catchiest chorus of this trio’s career, making it a candidate for darkwave song of the year. With “De Prisa,” Sadfields prove to be masters of danceable, doomy rock that you can sing along to. — Marcos Hassan
Mangoeswild - “Say No More”
Puerto Rican indie rock band Mangoeswild makes their debut with “Say No More,” a somber meditation on the angst that comes with healing and the necessity of leaving some broken pieces of yourself behind in the process. The lead’s vocals recall Glen Hansard’s voice and his own ability to communicate the tortured pressure of constricting anguish. The grouping shows off an impeccable talent from all corners, with measured drum brushes and guitar synths that carry the tune’s solemn subject matter. — Juan J. Arroyo
Bianca Oblivion - “EZ 4 Me ft. Eliza Legzdina”
“EZ 4 Me” is an analog-through-digital invitation to dance. Concocted by the DJ and producer Bianca Oblivion, the track gives off feverishly ‘90s house vibes with 2020’s layers of bouncy, grainy kicks, irresistible build-ups, vocal shots, and catchy basslines. With the help of British singer Eliza Legzdina, whose paceshifting vocals go from melodious hooks to sharp jabs, the LA-based producer has added another dancefloor gem to her crate. — Felipe Maia