Photo by Jesse Hudson.
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 Nino Augustine with Balbi, Aymée Nuviola, and Enyel C with Fux Beat. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Panamanian artist Nino Augustine is back at it with his first 2023 single, this time with Balbi handling production duties, to bring us an instant party anthem titled “HASTA ABAJO.” Standing right at the meeting point of perreo, dancehall, and afrobeats, the song takes control of our muscles with its beat and our brain with its earworm of a chorus, as Nino admires a woman in the club who has it all and is ready to show it on the dancefloor. – Cheky
Soul-stirring nostalgia takes off on “Quédate,” the latest from celebrated salsa singer and pianist Aymée Nuviola’s new album Havana Nocturne, featuring Cuban composer, producer, and fellow musician Kemuel Roig. Syncopated piano accentuates the sentimental track as warm acoustic guitar riffs behind Nuviola’s rich, larger-than-life vocals. Taking inspiration from filin–a musical style and genre innovated by Havana-based jazz musicians in the 1940s–the song blossoms with the emotive eloquence of a traditional bolero while capturing the trademark romantic-but-dynamic essence of the ‘40s movement. — Nayeli Portillo
As if sensing our collective winter fatigue, Puerto Rican indie rockers Nutopia and Dominican pop duo Martox have linked up for a much-needed blast of Caribbean disco titled “Otro Tiempo.” The indie favorites spin a nostalgic tale of better days spent with that special someone, building an epic earworm on thumping bass lines and soaring falsettos that will keep you afloat until the sun kisses your cheeks once more. – Richard Villegas
Enyel C continues to slide into different genres and flows, this time alongside Miami-based producer Fux Beat for the forlorn-yet-catchy “Te Amé.” Enyel C’s last venture was the ragga homage “Nuestra Canción” with MJ Nebreda, and he incorporates some of the stylings employed there here, while Fux’s beat kicks in with a brisk lo-fi pop rhythm that fits just right. Fux is a tested producer, having proven his mettle by working with artists like Manuel Turizo, Piso 21, and Sebastián Yatra in the past. Together with Enyel, they’ve created a track that tries to make healing from heartbreak feel breezier. — Juan J. Arroyo
“Me Miras” might be largely propelled by an insistent dembow, but there’s so much more going on in the latest single by this Barcelona-born singer-rapper. Cyril Kamer’s melodic yet autotuned voice sounds like a throwback to the Spanish trap heyday of the past decade, while the arrangement hints at contemporary Afrobeat, making for a rich and layered groove with hooks for days. Kamer uses charisma and cool as he glides over the futuristic polyrhythm, bringing a track that won’t let you stay put. — Marcos Hassan
Nothing holds Yailin La Más Viral from dropping an earworm banger. Her new dembow collaboration with her Dominican Republic compatriot Menor Queen “Chikilio” shows the very-pregnant boss babe facturando. The new video demonstrates the two baddies laying down their sexy, unmatched verses–that even call for a threesome–with a catchy, playful track produced by Zunna. His production embodies the classic dembow signature of a fast, snappy, repetitive BPM that only hypes up the “chiki-chiki-chiki-chikilio-chikilio” chorus throughout the jam. – Jeanette Hernandez
Returning to join forces for the fourth time, Brazilian stars ZAAC and Anitta team up to deliver yet another fire hit just in time to get all the parties started for Carnaval. Adding DJ Yuri Martins and Zain to the mix, the single remains rooted in the Brazilian artists mastered funk-style beats yet possesses a unique power by exploring the globalization of Latine music as it leans into the rhythms of Dominican dembow. Combine the powerhouse party sounds, top it with sensual wordplay around teasing desire, and this song is instantly audible foreplay, asking to be played one more time, but that just might not be enough. —Jeanette Diaz
Los Mundos is coming back with a new album as soon as next month, and they just dropped its first single, the hypnotic desert-hot “Busca Ayuda.” Previously previewed live, the song is the Monterrey quartet’s first collaborative effort with its new lineup, and it’s a loving, healing mantra for these pandemic times, wrapped in psych-rock guitars, a trance-inducing rhythm, and swirly ‘60s-tinted guitar riffs. – Cheky
Singer-songwriter, producer, and musician Vanessa Zamora embraces the idea of uncompromising self-love in “Nada.” Over the last few months, the Tijuana native dropped three volumes of music that culminated in the release of her third album DAMALEONA, the follow-up to 2018’s iridescent Tornaluna. Lofty piano and the soft glow of Zamora’s lilting vocal melody suffuse “Nada” with misty psych-pop atmospherics, spellbinding listeners through its all-enveloping and sweet but melancholic aura. – Nayeli Portillo
Mitú has long been among Colombia’s electro-roots vanguard. But the latest single, “Nene,” strips away the spacey synths and noisy sequencing to harness a more organic, champeta-driven sound. Ethereal vocals from singer/percussionist Franklin Tejedor glide over looping bass lines and meticulous guitar plucks from Julián Salazar. Together they weave a bouncing, deceptively complex ode to companionship. – Richard Villegas
In a recent interview, Jotaerre described his newest single as a “tristoncito,” or “sadboi song.” It’s a perfectly apt descriptor for a track that shows a more vulnerable side to the fresh-faced Puerto Rican artist, who has recently made impressive strides in his young career—including joining the RIMAS roster. Fans of his previous work and songs in the same vein will find plenty to like in “SOLITO,” as the rookie continues apace, putting his name out there off the strength of previous collabs with artists like Lil’ Joujou, Chris Palace, and Corina Smith. — Juan J. Arroyo
Along with Herbolaria, Guadalajara, Mexico’s Norwayy are the first artists to release new songs as part of the ¿Ahora Sí Nos Escuchas? compilation organized by the Now Girls Rule label. The trio brings us a slice of melancholic dream pop cut featuring synthetic drums and reverb-drenched vocals, delivering sad rhythms and pop hooks. Norwayy knows how to inject the right kind of nostalgia into their music without making it sound dated, creating a track that will surely be added to both your Saturday night and rainy day playlists. — Marcos Hassan
The Venezuelan singer-songwriter Zulia released his second single, a heartfelt ballad called “Complejos De Martir.” After producing Bad Bunny and The Marías’ hit “Otro Atardecer,” this new mellow pop song finally puts the young artist in front of the limelight. Consequently, it demonstrates his emotional and alternative musical taste that aims to put synth-pop and indie on the mainstream map. Though he’s no rookie in the music industry–he has also made tracks for Camilo and Christina Aguilera–his first EP Musas y Mariposas is scheduled to drop soon, where he plans to incorporate innovative musical styles dipped in deep, meaningful lyrics. – Jeanette Hernandez
Weapons of Mass Creation, a band that keeps it all in the family, share their latest single “Suave,” which packs in Southern California’s sunniest rays on this tropi-rhythmic track. A funky beat that’s met with soulful lyrical lowdown from its sung chorus to its rapped verses reads through as a smooth-as-silk party track that moves us into brighter days. The song lays on thick the ideas of self-hype, self-preservation, and self-care. It emphasizes the importance of turning down the act of overthinking and turning up the volume on the things that simply make us feel good. With so much going on in our lives and the world, the song is an eased and gratifying reminder that it’s never a bad time to pasartela suave. — Jeanette Diaz
