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 Estevie with DannyLux, Chicocurlyhead, and Brian Lopez with KT Tunstall. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Estevie feat. DannyLux - “Triste Verano”
Sierreño-inspired sad boy music hits differently. Inspired by her first-ever IRL heartbreak, the Mexican-American artist Estevie wrote “Triste Verano” to push through the heart-wrenching emotional waves that we all go through at some point in our lives. With her alluring, mesmerizing, pristine, and soft a la Billie Eilish vocals, Estevie embodies the experience of a torn heart, only to top it off with the special touch of DannyLux’s signature and emotional je ne sais quoi. The result? A modern Sierreño track that captures what could be the next generation’s go-to ballad soundscape. – Jeanette Hernandez
Brian Lopez feat. KT Tunstall - “Road to Avalon”
Indie rock singer-songwriter Brian Lopez has spent the past few years recording and touring with bands Calexico and XIXA. However, he has now focused on releasing his newest full-length album, TIDAL, dropping June 23. In its latest single, “Road to Avalon,” he teams up with KT Tunstall for a precarious traipse down a shadow-brick road filled with melodies that border on the mystical. For the music video, visual artist 10 Years to Live leans into the track’s psychedelic waltz sound and concocts images that bring the lyrics to magical realist life. — Juan J. Arroyo
Kinder & Cristina Valentina - “Primeras Horas”
“Primeras Horas” marks Lima-based post-rock quintet Kinder’s third and final single from their untitled forthcoming album, which they are set to present live at Belgium’s Dunk!festival in May. The track opens with spacey synthesizers that unfold in slow motion. “Primeras Horas” builds up to a crescendo dense with melodic math-rock riffs and hammering drums as Peruvian singer-songwriter and composer Cristina Valentina’s dynamic vocals seamlessly weave in and out of the spry, loud-soft-loud instrumental mix. – Nayeli Portillo
Últimos Glaciares - “Ceremonias”
On their excellent sophomore LP Ceremonias, Bolivian shoegaze band Últimos Glaciares are amping up their hazy sonic palette with a thumping, unexpectedly cheerful blast of post-punk. Sounding like a summery cross between Echo and The Bunnymen and El Último Vecino, the Cochabamba ensemble finds its stride from the jump, delivering the LP’s first head-bobbing earworm with the title track. Elastic bass lines and zooming guitar layers become a backdrop for affected ruminations on the rituals of romance, where minor recurrences can become a secret language between lovers. – Richard Villegas
Proper. - “Jean”
“Jean” is about Jean Carlos Jimenez-Joseph, who died by suicide at an ICE detention facility in 2017. The song is also much more than the tragic real-life death of a person who left this existence prematurely. The emo-infused track celebrates the life of someone who isn’t here anymore by turning up guitars and pushing sentimental vocals to give voice to a feeling of loss. While tragedy marked this song, the sound of it is layered and rewarding, becoming its own living document of life with all its flaws and beauty. Also, stick around for the mini-doc at the end of the video; it’s worth the extra minutes. — Marcos Hassan
Mechu Leezard - “Domingo En Llamas”
Venezuela’s Mechu Leezard has been fronting his rock band Niño Nuclear for over a decade and he has just dropped his very first solo single, in which he nods to the beloved Venezuelan musician Domingo En Llamas. Trading his electric guitar for acoustic instruments and colorful lo-fi electronic production, the Santiago de Chile-based musician sings about surviving bad luck and mischievous pets with resignation and a sense of humor, wrapping up with a deliciously 60s-reminiscing “para-pa-pa” outro that will leave you smiling for a little bit. – Cheky
Kei Linch, Akapellah - “Sosiego”
Colombian singer and rapper Kei Linch joins forces with Venezuelan hip-hop artist Akapellah on the uplifting track “Sosiego.” The duet is about taking the hurt from a betrayal and using it to be stronger. As Akapellah’s flow ends, Linch is able to keep it continuous over the steady beat, with the latter remaining soft-spoken yet firm. Linch competed and became a finalist on the Colombian version of The X Factor in 2021 under the moniker Anarkía, and has already released an EP this year, titled REDANDBLÚ. — Chelsea Quezada
Chicocurlyhead - “Trato”
Panamanian-American artist Chicocurlyhead just released his newest track, “Trato.” The catchy, pop single talks about making a sweet amorous deal with a potential lover. “‘Trato’ is a song you can dedicate to that special someone,” the Atlanta-based musician said about the track. Sonically, the single embodies a guitar melody that’s carried throughout the two-minute and 48-second tune, sprinkled with R&B tones and a light trap-electronic touch in the mix. – Jeanette Hernandez
Nester, Lost Boyz - “Swipe”
Nester’s last collab with Lost Boyz produced the homage-to-oneself “Nester,” which laid bare the Puerto Rican rapper’s talent for shooting off lyrical heat seekers. This week, the two dip back into familiar waters with “Swipe.” Braggadocio is often the name of the game in the streets, but not every rhymer is up to the task. Nester’s flow rides the four-note beat like a general on his steed, cutting down haters with aggressive bon mots that hit like bombs. Boast songs can easily become stagnant and repetitive, but Nester shows he’s one that can keep spinning the genre to his own tune. — Juan J. Arroyo
1982 band - "Casualidad"
“Casualidad” finds Ecuadorian producers and composers Sebastián Narváez and Antonio León of 1982 (or “diecinueve ochenta y dos,” as they call themselves) spellbound by fleeting moments and chance encounters. While Narváez and León have been known to explore sunnier future-funk textures and tropical ‘80s pop soundscapes on songs like “Yokohama FM” and “Lafawnduh,” a dreamier and more melancholic overcast lingers throughout “Casualidad.” Here, the duo finds their groove in downtempo, synth-guided R&B as they reminisce about what could’ve been in another masterfully-produced track that’s just retro and catchy as its predecessors. – Nayeli Portillo
Aqua Mute - “Cerci”
Melding elements of IDM, sound design, and perreo, Mexico City producer Aqua Mute has finally unveiled his debut LP Insectario, a collection of body-rumbling tracks wrapped in bug imagery and scientific illustrations. On “Cerci,” a dembow riddim thumps in the background while distorted vocals and blasts of glitchy noise create an eery, disorienting sensation, sucking the listener ever deeper into the producer’s sonic underworld. – Richard Villegas
Margaritas Podridas - “Filosa”
By getting invited to the long and prestigious tradition of Sub Pop’s Singles Club, Mexico’s Margaritas Podridas join an exclusive social circle that includes everyone from Nirvana to The White Stripes, and “Filosa” is a worthy addition to the canon. A raging yet sophisticated piece of screamy, melodic punk, the song features vocals that snarl a storm, like if safety pins through your nose never went out of style. You can hear the spirit of Kurt Cobain—the defiant and fun embodiment of rock rather than the somber side—ring through “Filosa,” walking the tightrope of tradition with the urgency of personal expression. — Marcos Hassan
Ani Cordero - “No Me Da La Fokin’ Gana”
Boricua artist Ani Cordero just announced her upcoming concept album Anamores, out on June 9, with a powerful new single titled “No Me Da La Fokin’ Gana.” It’s a conga-infused pop-rock number that, on the surface, functions as a breakup song as she preserves her peace of mind by walking away from a draining relationship. But paired up with the Michelle Malley Campos-directed music video, it uncovers a political commentary pointed at the effects of the neo-colonialist process Puerto Rico is undergoing at this very moment. – Cheky
Valentina Moretti - “A Diamond In Ashes”
Electronic artist Valentina Moretti’s new track, “A Diamond In Ashes,” was artfully penned alongside Zaine Griff, a former vocalist of David Bowie. Although the indie pop song tells the tragic story of two lovers, it’s contrasted by the bubbly ‘80s-inspired synths. The singer and multi-instrumentalist is known for pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in music, as heard in her previous single, “Just Leave The Past Behind.” It’s an eccentric track in all the best ways. — Chelsea Quezada