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 Letón Pé, Lauren Jauregui, and Alex Anwandter. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Letón Pé - "Bailo Pa Mi" feat. Ana Mancebo
Channeling her Caribbean roots into the first single off her upcoming EP, Letón Pé throws her hat into the ring for this year’s summertime bop. “Bailo Pa’ Mi” starts with a nu-disco sound, and then we’re quickly transported to the Dominican Republic for the party of our lives. The track features vocals from Madrid native Ana Mancebo and stellar production by Latin Grammy-winning producer Fux Beat. Mancebo sings about being more than her partner bargained for: “Le pediste a Dios una niña spicy, y te dejé con el cora’ icy.” She’s got tunnel vision, and she’s all in on leveling herself up. — Chelsea Quezada
Lauren Jauregui - "Trust Issues"
Cuban-American singer Lauren Jauregui has always been unapologetic about wearing her heart right on her sleeve. After the disbandment of Fifth Harmony, she solidified her stakes as a promising solo artist by diving deeper into realms of R&B romanticism and flexing her chops as a songwriter on the independently-released Prelude EP. Jauregui’s rich and smoky vocals unfold beside guitarist Ariel “Ari” O’Neal’s mellowed-out chords on the confessional “Trust Issues,” where the singer admits she’s got her guard up but is willing to work it all out. – Nayeli Portillo
Fuego - “QSDM (Que Sabe De Mi)”
Fuego just dropped his latest single, “QSDM (Que Sabe De Mi),” part of his upcoming trap project Fireboy Forever 3. The new bass-enriched track comes just in time to hype us up for his upcoming North American tour. In the new joint, the chameleon-like Dominican-American rapper channels the hard-hitting and confident signature flow that helps categorize him as one of Latine hip-hop’s most celebrated collaborators. – Jeanette Hernandez
Gigi Saldaña - “Egoísta”
Once Afrobeats began to cross over with hip-hop thanks to acts like Burna Boy, fans began to speculate reggaetón would be the next logical fusion. Aside from a handful of examples, that hasn’t exactly happened. But for some young artists, the innate appeal was never shaken. Gigi Saldaña is one such act who tapped into the fine line between Afro-Caribbean rhythms and Afrobeats with her rapturous new single “Egoísta.” The Puerto Rican singer is also a contestant in Netflix’s upcoming competition series La Firma where, alongside others, she’ll compete for the opportunity to be signed by Tainy as chosen by superstar judges Rauw Alejandro, Nicki Nicole, and Yandel. — Juan J. Arroyo
Diómedes Jiménez - “Dividí”
Diómedes Jiménez knows how to creep into your mind. In his latest single, “Dividí,” the rising Dominican rapper unspools the constant existential crisis faced by independent artists who must split their time and resources between the path of creativity and a myriad side hustles to make ends meet. The track’s mix of digital beat making and organic percussion boil the mood down to a primal need for movement, while Jiménez urges us to always choose ourselves and our passions. — Richard Villegas
NOIA - "reveal yourself"
If there’s one word to describe “reveal yourself,” it would be luminous. Brooklyn-via-Barcelona experimental pop musician and engineer Gisela Fullà-Silvestre has conjured something special with this track, emanating brightness and euphoria to the point of obsession. A coalition of bilingual R&B-infused future pop, there’s rhythm in its electronics and textures in its detail that draw from somewhere just outside the pop vocabulary, finding heaven beyond the typical. “reveal yourself” functions like a prayer spoken softly and brought forth like a beam of pure joy. — Marcos Hassan
Maricuir - “Rumi Bebé”
To commemorate the International Transgender Day of Visibility, Chihuahua artist Encanto Espinosa García released a double single with her Maricuir project, including unreleased track “Sinome” and “Rumi Bebé,” which appear on her latest album Ternura Gore, Vol. 1. The latter is a touching folk number where Encanto, accompanied only by a fingerpicked acoustic guitar, sinks deep into the feeling of experiencing absolute love for the first time, and the emotion delivered by her voice transcends the speakers and pours right on our heart. – Cheky
Alex Anwandter - “Precipicio”
The latest single from Chilean artist and producer Alex Anwandter is a catchy, nostalgia-ridden offering from his forthcoming album, El diablo en el cuerpo, out May 26. “Precipicio” is a disco-influenced track, and it’s impossible not to dance to it. The song is about an inescapable end of a relationship, leading Anwandter to a simple conclusion: if you can’t avoid it, he says, “you might as well dance.” And boy, does he! The music video director Will Colacito captured it all on film and featured interpretive choreography by Iliana Penichet-Ramirez. Forget Studio 54, take us here! — Chelsea Quezada
VALÈ - "todo bien, valentina!”
Originally hailing from Barranquilla, Colombia, singer and songwriter VALÈ has been performing since the age of six and self-released her first EP, Early Emotional Tapes, at just 17 years old. On “todo bien, valentina!,” the Los Angeles-based artist moves away from the electropop-leaning lo-fi R&B found on 2019’s “without you” and opts for unforgettable conga-driven pop and window-rattling bass thumps instead. “todo bien, valentina!” is a laidback but vivacious jam perfect for soundtracking a golden-hour cruise around town with friends. – Nayeli Portillo
PAMÉ - “Bullet Put Down”
Following her debut track “Fresh Water,” the Dominican-born Afro-Latina PAMÉ released “Bullet Put Down.” The alluring and rhythmic single starts with a pulsing, bass-heavy beat that accompanies her sharp lyrics that demand attention from the start. “I wanted to erase the narrative of a man always approaching a woman and giving the opportunity for a woman to make the first move and channel her inner queen,” she said about her new infectious offering in a statement. As a cherry on top, the visuals draws-in dance inspiration from Janet Jackson’s “If” music video, which serves as another ode to women empowerment. – Jeanette Hernandez
Los Berets - “Laberintos”
Kicking off with some ear-catching bass notes, Puerto Rican band Los Berets indulges their self-described (and accurate) “funky-punky psychedelic” sound with the new single, “Laberintos.” The track is the first preview of its upcoming debut EP, a long-in-the-making effort that joins this year’s incoming slate of promising releases from the archipelago’s surprisingly rich rock scene. Lead singer Amanda L. Prieto’s vocals buoy the group’s wonderfully riotous instrumentals, replete with metaphors about accepting the muddiness of feelings and longing. For listeners looking for some counterprogramming, Los Berets offers a head-bangin’ respite that’ll make quick fans of anyone longing for the golden days of Latine rock. — Juan J. Arroyo
Conjunto Tropidélico - “Elegüayquín”
Since their genesis back in 2020, El Salvador’s Conjunto Tropidélico has been tinkering with a plethora of tropical rhythms, including merengue and cumbia. On their debut EP Espíritus Eléctricos, the rockers-turned-ravers pay homage to diasporic sounds that have shaped music across Latin America for generations, intersecting with folk tales and spirituality on cuts like “Satanás” and “María Remedios.” The centerpiece of this mini album comes with “Elegüayquín,” a riveting cumbia-meets-electro jam infused with chants to the Orisha Elegua, designed for rhythmic introspection and dance floor transcendence. – Richard Villegas
Bunny Michael - "Crystal Children"
The lyrics to “Crystal Children” are heavy on the metaphoric side. However, the music goes against type, doing away with wavy sonics and going as hard and direct as it can go. Punctuated by menacing synth bass and crackling drum machines, singer-songwriter Bunny Michael gives us an alt-pop track featuring rapid-fire delivery with tons of confidence, like acid-tinged gangsta rap from a neighboring galaxy. Vocal hooks and instrumental melodies from unexpected corners keep the rhythm interesting, giving us an experimental ditty that feels exhilarating. — Marcos Hassan
Zuco 103 - “Nao Tem Jeito”
Veteran Dutch trio Zuco 103 are back in business with “Nao Tem Jeito,” a brand-new single in which they declare that there’s no use in resisting the power of samba. Led by Brazilian-born singer Lilian Vieira, the song is a fun blend of samba, a delicious ‘60s-inspired beat, and colorful instrumentation, resulting in a modern tribute to the traditional Brazilian genre, which they’re so passionate about they claim they “might die from it.” We hope they won’t, so they can keep bringing us these party jams. – Cheky