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 Isabella Lovestory, La Marisoul with Los Texmaniacs and Little Joe, and Mabiland. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Isabella Lovestory - “Latina”
The Honduran artist Isabella Lovestory released her first single of 2023. With the empowering track “Latina,” she delivers a club-ready and bass-heavy tune that is all about embracing the beauty of being a fierce Latina. Isabella says the new anthem celebrates being Latina “without being cliche and ‘dove commercial’ about it.” She also expresses that it’s about “tokenizing of Latinidad, reclaiming the uniqueness and poignancy of every experience each Latina has.” Clearly, she embodies the exact sentiment with lyrics like, “¿Cómo se siente ser la latina más divina? De-demasiado bien,” which instantly makes us hit replay and chant with the eccentric hitmaker. – Jeanette Hernandez
La Marisoul and Los Texmaniacs feat. Little Joe - "Las Nubes (The Clouds)"
San Antonio-based conjunto Los Texmaniacs and La Santa Cecilia frontwoman La Marisoul are out with “Las Nubes (The Clouds)” off their upcoming joint Mexican-American standards album, Corazones and Canciones. It’s an updated, bilingual version of the iconic 1972 Chicano civil rights anthem popularized by Little Joe, who is featured on the track as an 82-year-old. Los Texmaniacs and La Marisoul continue with the original ranchera style with jazz elements, adding their lively vocals on the gloomy track. – Chelsea Quezada
Mabiland, EMJAY & Mare Advertencia Lirika - “Cypher 1: Ella” (ft. Delfina Dib)
Gorgona Records, a brand-new Warner Music Mexico-backed label created “por morras para morras,” are kicking off operations with an earth-rumbling bang, joining heavyweights Mabiland, Mare Advertencia Lirika, EMJAY, and Delfina Dib on “Cypher 1: Ella.” The four artists trade verses to display their outstanding rapping talents and celebrate women in all their facets, tearing the house down with their power. It’s a hard-hitting introduction to what’s next to come and a high mark for everyone involved. – Cheky
Baby Pau - “Cupido Me Mintió”
Baby Pau started making inroads in the Puerto Rican indie music scene with tracks like “QUÉ MAL,” which showed off her talent for brusque rap and trap. But with “Cupido Me Mintió,” she swerves into an entirely different energy. The song, off her debut EP Crónicas de Una Enamorá, is a mellower vibe than her previous output, supported by a lowkey afrobeats sound. The lyrics are decidedly more vulnerable, reflecting on heartbreak and deceit, but she’s no less fierce than what clearly comes naturally to her. — Juan J. Arroyo
Midwife, Vyva Melinkolya - “NMP”
We rarely get to experience music with such delicate and vulnerable qualities while also daring to challenge the listener, sending them to the unknown. The first single from Orbweaver—a full-length collaboration between underground experimentalists Madeline Johnston (Midwife) and Angel Diaz (Vyva Melinkolya)—threads lo-fi guitars and minimalist drumming into a compact piece of dreamy ambient heaven. Diaz and Johnston’s vocals blend into something ethereal and deeply beautiful, singing “no more pain” over and over at one point as the distortion picks up. “NMP” invites you to step into another dimension where you can sigh forever. — Marcos Hassan
La Piba Berreta, Anyi - “Mágica Intuición”
Argentine punk enchantress La Piba Berreta is joined by rising R&B pixie Anyi on “Mágica Intuición,” a disco-tinged ode to the internal lights that guide us back to shore whenever our emotions seem lost at sea. Gliding over propulsive guitars and throbbing bass lines, the underground divas take turns unpacking the knot that’s been sitting in the pit of their stomachs for far too long. It’s a danceable exercise in catharsis and a burning reminder to always trust your instincts. – Richard Villegas
Belén Aguilera & Pimp Flaco - “PAS”
Spanish artists Belén Aguilera and Pimp Flaco teamed up for “PAS.” The pop track describes the IRL sentiments of “una persona PAS,” which they describe as a highly sensitive person who has to go through daily inner obstacles and conquer their own thoughts. Though the subject is heavy, the two deliver it with a fun synth-pop electronic sound, all while advising how to handle their emotions with boundaries and reassurance. Overall, the auto-tuned single makes for a double PSA–it opens up the conversation for those who don’t understand how to handle someone who is easily overstimulated, and it gives comfort to those who experience being a persona “PAS.” – Jeanette Hernandez
Yari M - "Tú"
Yari M is bringing the heat in her newest single, “Tú.” The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is giving a taste of what’s to come on her upcoming album. Clocking in at just under three minutes, an empowered Yari M wastes no time being upfront to her partner, letting them know everything she likes. “Tú” is a sensual Latine pop and urban track, about being fearless in asking for what you want. It’s hot and heavy nature means it’s ready to be danced to as warmer weather arrives, so put it on all your playlists. – Chelsea Quezada
Sofia Kourtesis - “Madres”
Berlin-based Peruvian artist Sofia Kourtesis warms our soul with a motherly chant titled “Madres.” The house-tinted track flourishes with whimsical synth flourishes, as Kourtesis embodies a motherly essence calling for their children when they get lost. It’s a loving sonic embrace that pays tribute to all mother figures beyond gender, also doubling as a thank you to the brain surgeon taking care of her own mom, giving her as much hope as she gives us with this track. – Cheky
FOKINFROID - “Tapre Tao”
Shots are fired in FOKINFROID’s newest single, “Tapre Tao.” The also-member of Puerto Rican rap/R&B fusion band Los Rarxs has largely spent his career thus far exploiting his penchant for braggadocio, but he has the talent to back it up and knows it. Last year’s EP, Joaquin y los Cuchillos, was one of the most dynamic indie Latine rap releases of 2022, and this week he puts everyone on notice that he’s back to continue taking names and his boast game continues on point. As he raps here, he’s such a generous antagonist; he’ll help your career get to his level just so he can knock you down again. — Juan J. Arroyo
Biera, BLĀCIO - “Salí Campeón”
Ecuadorian rapper Biera and producer BLĀCIO have teamed up for a rousing new single titled “Salí Campeón,” a trappy crossover urging the listener not to sleep on the little guy. While Biera anchors his barrage of boasts in some of Ecuador’s brightest sporting moments, BLĀCIO infuses his textured 808s with horns, flutes, and requintos to remind us that the Andes forge winners too. – Richard Villegas