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 MUSAS, Martox, and ANGEL22. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
MUSAS - “Fantasy”
The Afro-Colombian sister trio–comprised of Keisha, Fiona, and Fiorella–dropped their newest single, “Fantasy.” The new track explores subtle layers of R&B, an impeccable hint of Spanish guitars, and a rhythmic percussion that complements the group’s ethereal harmonizations and vocals. To take it to the next level, the sisters paired the song with a mythical music video that showcases their trapeze and aerial skills, giving the listeners a full and graceful experience. – Jeanette Hernandez
MARTOX - “comoestasmiamor <3”
Singer Juan Miguel Martinez and producer Eduardo Baldera of Martox douse one of the most irresistible hooks they’ve written with bubbling electro-funk and fall in perfect sync on “comoestasmiamor <3”. Continuing in their quest to dominate the dancefloor, the track pulls from a chilled-out disco palette similar to the one used in “Otro Tiempo.” However, the República Dominicana-based duo leans into even more luxurious synth chords, airy vocals, and limber riffs throughout “comoestasmiamor <3,” building up to a slightly clubbier vibe in this jaunty, happy-go-lucky spin on heartbreak. – Nayeli Portillo
MaryOla - “Carril sin Fin”
MaryOla is the brainchild of Marco Torres, who alternates as lead vocalist here and guitarist for fellow indie rock band Epilogio. The lineup, which includes drummer Armando Román, guitarist/bassist Aurelio Adasme, and keyboardist Francisco Vázquez, drops their newest single, “Carril sin fin,” this week as the group embarks towards the release of their upcoming sophomore LP. The track follows the same line that distinguishes MaryOla from their contemporaries, with a subdued psych-rock sound and metaphor-rich lyrics, here waxing poetic about how a rushed relationship can become fraught quickly. Their debut album, Degenere, showed off their promise, and this long-awaited return shows that they still have the same verve. — Juan J. Arroyo
Queen Diago - “Champion”
Allow Queen Diago to introduce herself. The latest young talent launched by emblematic Cuban label Guámpara Music is making a bold first statement with a thumping, unrelenting manifesto of Afro-Cuban drill titled “Champion.” Featuring production from DJ Jigüe, the track melds cascading percussion and atmospheric bass lines that provide a bouncing canvas for Queen Diago’s acerbic rhymes, expertly showcasing her lyrical prowess rather than rattling off empty boasts. – Richard Villegas
Orestes Gómez - “Cancer”
Multi-talented Mexico-based artist Orestes Gómez just dropped Ascendentes, his brand-new Zodiac-inspired jazz album. Crafted with the assistance of eight musicians and an astrologer, the Venezuelan musician interpreted characteristics of all the Zodiac signs into 12 tracks, including “Cancer.” Since it’s a water sign, he takes us to the Caribbean coast with Afro-Venezuelan rhythms from Barlovento that step firmly as keyboard strokes and guitar plucks make us float on the ocean. – Cheky
Los Mundos - “La Ciencia Del Arcoíris”
Monterrey’s Los Mundos are pioneers of the Latin American psych-rock revival, and they’re still going strong more than 10 years after forming. Luckily, the band keeps finding fresh avenues for inspiration, as proven by “La Ciencia Del Arcoíris.” The song features layered guitar lines and melodic chant-like vocals that will put you in the mood for a gentle acid trip. Having explored everything from noisy shoegaze to heavy space rock, hearing Los Mundos ease back into a ‘60s-inspired groove feels just like the right flavor for them these days. — Marcos Hassan
ANGEL22 - “Olvidar”
Jersey club is making its way back to mainstream pop! The Latine girl group, ANGEL22, released their newest single, “Olvidar,” a song with reggaeton, trap, and jersey club tones. Produced by Mazzarri and Valley Girl, what’s memorable about this track is that the melody switches through tempos and genres, demonstrating the group’s versatility, all while showing their attitude through their lyrics about forgetting someone. Though the song ultimately sounds a bit too busy with the constant change of tempos, it’s interesting and exciting to know the group is open to new sounds. – Jeanette Hernandez
Conexión Divina - “La Receta”
Los Angeles sierreño trio Conexión Divina quite literally reaches for the stars and takes us on an interplanetary mission gone haywire in “La Receta,” the latest from their highly-anticipated debut album 3 Mundos, due next month. The all-women música mexicana act is among the many rising Gen Z artists breathing new life into the genre, reaching another milestone when they announced their plans to perform at this year’s Coachella Music Festival. Singer Liz Trujillo drives woozy choruses penned by guitarist Ashlee Valenzuela as raw, nostalgic requinto riffs and a rolling bassline unreel in this three-minute mini-epic. – Nayeli Portillo
Hermanos Gutiérrez - “Hermosa Drive”
You don’t need lyrics in a song to convey a feeling, and “Hermosa Drive” certainly proves that. The smooth guitar instrumental is woven together seamlessly by Estevan and Alejandro Gutiérrez. The track is from the sibling’s latest album El Bueno Y El Malo, and it offers an imaginative listening experience. If you close your eyes while listening to “Hermosa Drive,” you’ll likely imagine yourself driving through a balmy Southwestern desert during golden hour, much like in the accompanying animated music video. The duo’s penchant for film scores and intricate melodies comes alive here. – Chelsea Quezada
Miomi - “MOTEL”
Miomi’s dulcet voice slow dances over a seductive beat in her newest single, “MOTEL.” A new face in Puerto Rico’s budding indie pop/R&B scene, she nevertheless makes an impression with how deftly she couples herself to the melody. “MOTEL” is a different vibe than her last song, the softer and warmer in tone “Pienso en ti,” but both benefit from her airy cadence. As she alternates between velvet raps and a purred chorus all about taking care of unresolved “business” with your boo, it’s easy to see her alluring presence and siren call sound become a fixture in the near future. — Juan J. Arroyo
Marilina Bertoldi - “LÁ LÁ”
Over the past few years, Argentine rocker Marilina Bertoldi has ridden high on a string of guitar-propelled albums that have shot her to the top of South America’s stadium rock resurgence. But with her new single “LÁ LÁ,” the curly-maned diva is humming along to a different tune, rap-talking and improvising over a funky, electrified beat delightfully reminiscent of Blondie’s “Rapture” era. Not to worry, by the song’s bridge, Bertoldi is back on her guitar doing what she most enjoys—shredding and wailing. – Richard Villegas
Karen y Los Remedios - “Mi Gran Dolor”
Mexican duo Karen y Los Remedios is gearing up to release their debut album Silencio. And to give us a taste of what they’ve been cooking, they just shared “Mi Gran Dolor,” a melancholic cumbia jam that will wrench your heart. Singer Ana Karen G Barajas is cautious about loving someone completely, at least not until they show their commitment and will to work on their flaws, and her ethereal, nostalgic croon paired up with hers and Jiony’s dreamy cumbia beat got us teary-eyed. – Cheky
Yasser Tejeda - “Tú Ere’ Bonita”
There’s a chance that “Tú Ere’ Bonita” will sound familiar to you since Yasser Tejeda’s style nods freely to the past. However, nostalgia is not the only thing that makes the song such a quiet banger. The bachata-adjacent arrangement harks back to early ‘90s Caribbean songwriters like Juan Luis Guerra, with Tejeda using these influences to evoke beauty and rhythm into something amazing, resulting in a familiar yet unique sound. Far from being a tribute to another era in the Latin American music cannon, “Tú Ere’ Bonita” is a reaffirmation of a lovely style with ear candy to boot. — Marcos Hassan