Photo by Alberto Hildago.
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 Mon Laferte, Ana Tijoux, and PUTOCHINOMARICÓN with dadá. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Mon Laferte is in her experimental trip-pop era. Backed by a pulsating hip-hop beat, “40 y MM” details what she’s learned throughout her four decades of life. With violins and a hint of salsa, the Chilean singer-songwriter keeps listeners on their toes as she intertwines multiple genres in less than four minutes. With the exciting release, she also announced her next album Autopoiética, which already sounds like her most ambitious project yet. – Jeanette Hernandez
Ana Tijoux beautifully honors her late sister, Tania, in her newest single of the same name. The Spanish and French lyrics include ways she pays tribute to her in her daily life, like singing, dancing, and planting sunflowers for her. Although the track is quite vulnerable, it remains upbeat as a celebration of Tania’s life as a mother, partner, and woman. One thing is certain: “Tania” will surely bring solace to anyone who has lost a loved one. Tijoux’s highly-anticipated first album in nine years, VIDA, is due next month, and will include her previous single “NIÑX.” — Chelsea Quezada
Spanish-Taiwanese singer and producer Chenta Tsai, aka PUTOCHINOMARICÓN, has been an uproarious provocateur in Spain’s electro-pop scene for years, and new single “Soy Un Idiota” shows no signs of their wit letting up. The track unpacks the phenomenon of ignorance as bliss over throbbing sequenced bass lines, as an envious Tsai lays into people lucky enough to saunter through life free of anxiety and overthinking. It’s hysterical, hooky pop that will leave you wondering if you’re a dummy for mentally self-flagellating or for singing along. – Richard Villegas
On “Nuevo Sol,” México’s Mint Field conjures up a sound that could be described as a mood in its purest form. The duo plays a patient beat adorned by beautifully arpeggiated guitars over which Estrella Del Sol sings a beautiful soprano melody. The result is a track that emphasizes the dreamy aspect of dream pop, an abstract yet immaculate feeling made into a three-minute song. With “Nuevo Sol,” Mint Field proves to be one of the most imaginative bands around, and artists who can give us pop songs to get lost in the most gorgeous way. — Marcos Hassan
NAAFI-affiliated Uruguayan artist Lila Tirando a Violeta and Berlin-based producer Sin Maldita are both making their Hyperdub debut with Accela, a new seven-track joint EP that includes single “Idioglossia.” Inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetics of iconic anime Lain, the track’s title references James Joyce’s experimental novel Finnegans Wake, opening a window into the unique musical language both artists share in the studio. This is a futuristic brain-melting track built with textural synthetic sounds that are uplifting and disorienting at the same time. – Cheky
There’s a lot going on in the world of producer, musician, and singer-songwriter Izzy Savides, but they manage to nail quite a few musical references at first listen. The 18-year-old contrasts subdued Billie Eilish-influenced vocals with Remi Wolf-like levels of mischief while channeling a refreshing art-rock attitude on their latest material. On “Prison in the Suburbs,” Savides chases a jazzy composition with spiky and grungy riffs washed in a lo-fi haze. – Nayeli Portillo
The Mexican reggaeton artist El Malilla is back with a new earworm perfect for those who record themselves for TikTok. In “Tiki,” he’s appropriately accompanied by the popular social media influencer Yeri Mua as the two work out and dance in a gym. With a catchy and repetitive chorus, an easy-to-learn dance, and risqué lyrics, the perreo-ready track checks all the boxes of a reggaeton anthem. We’re intrigued to see what’s coming next in El Malilla’s new era. – Jeanette Hernandez
In the new single off her upcoming debut record, Ultrabelleza, María José Llergo belts out an empowering pop anthem for women. On “Superpoder,” she details triumphing past hardship in the autobiographical lyrics: “Aprendí llorar, cantando / Aprendí cantar, llorando.” She even dons a Joan of Arc-inspired outfit in the music video. The Spanish artist also celebrates the fact that women can make the world better while learning to ignore the negativity and noise from strangers. Her background in music has come far since the days of her grandfather teaching her, and today, we hear her strength and confidence. — Chelsea Quezada
El Cézar has been canvasing the realms of trap and reggaeton and building a catalog of inventive hybrids in the middle. As he gears up to release a new EP later this year, the Atlanta-based Venezolano has unveiled “Mi Musa,” a romantiqueo slow-burner drenched in atmospheric synths and galloping distorted drums. Tinges of dancehall and afrobeats peak throughout as he doubles down on the sonically voracious, waist-winding road ahead. – Richard Villegas
The ballroom scene in Puerto Rico has exploded in recent years, with dozens of houses doing shows almost every month and creating spaces for people interested in the culture to participate in. In a place where Latine trap and alt-perreo are ubiquitous, it’s no wonder a new artist fused them. KLAUDI is one such young artist, who this year alone has released exciting tracks, such as “HAUS OF K” and “OASIS,” that harken that slice of the island. This week, he drops “</3” (aka “Corazón Roto”), where he explores the more vulnerable subject matter of heartbreak and its accompanying grief while still showing off his rapping skills, which promise a bright future. — Juan J. Arroyo
In which the L.A.-via-Virginia artist explores the rich storytelling and musical reaches of corrido tumbado to tell his story. Cash Bently goes deep into his past, the hardships he faced to get where he is and what that life entails right now, while requintos and tubas provide the background for his self-mythologizing corrido. Bently — who came up through the rap world — proves to be a perfect fit for regional Mexican music, his voice blending and expressing his woes and triumphs in equal measure. Cash Bently not only proves to be a versatile artist but also the reach of corridos in the current music landscape. — Marcos Hassan
Toronto-based Afro-Cuban ensemble OKAN has announced its third full-length Okantomi by sharing the tropical title track. Led by Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne, the band gives us a joyful celebration in the key of Afro-Cuban jazz and sung in English, Spanish, and Yoruba inspired by their time living in Canada. They’ve risen above the hardships of being immigrants and stayed connected to their roots, which can be felt all throughout this contagious jam. – Cheky
Roger Cabrera’s mission under the moniker of Niño Disco is to make sure that the beat never stops. The NYC-based musician and producer draws influence from scintillating ‘80s pop and percussive-heavy grooves fit for nights out at smoky nightclub dance floors. Mesmeric vocal deliveries and a seductive bassline bolster this funk-drenched disco track that stands as some of the Ecuadorian artist’s liveliest material so far. – Nayeli Portillo
