We are living through an era where more music is available to us than ever – whether it be via social media, streaming, or apps. But despite this wealth of options, it can be difficult to cut through the industry hype, the homogenizing algorithms, and find something new and exciting.
In our weekly Nuevo Noise playlist, you’ll find some of our favorite releases of the week – from the most exciting new names in urbano, to the burgeoning SoCal neo-Chicano soul wave, and everything in between.
Consider this your genre-diverse guide to the most exciting releases from rising Latinx artists each week. Follow our Nuevo Noise playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
1
Somontano - "Novela Americana"
A spangly ’80s pop moment with shivers of French house, this emergent Lima artist steps up for a shot at your electro dreamboat vocalist allegiance. Somontano spins a story of keeping it real with an unrealistic lover; “¿Qué quieres que haga hoy? Luces, cámara y acción.” Make no mistake, though — these are not the sleepy keyboards of the Niebla Sucia EP, but Somontano’s invitation to dance away any and all lost love. -Caitlin Donohue
2
Daizak feat. Antar Castro, Alu Mix & Bryan Kingz - “Andiabla"
Reggaeton mexa is best in a group, as demonstrated by this young crew led by Daizak and producers Bryan Kingz and Alu Mix (check the latter’s April track “Mamacita” for more CDMX perreo you’ll want on an IV this summer). Do you take #Divergentesinc as your new urbano boy band? -Caitlin Donohue
3
Lechuga Zafiro feat. Matmos & Seba TC - "Para Abajo"
This song’s a study in friction, Lechuga Zafiro nearly evoking a hip hop DJ’s scratch in his compress-and-dice of Baltimore duo Matmos’ recently-released percolating freeflow “Breaking Bread” and Argentinian emcee Seba TC’s staccato tongue trills. The wildly unexpected pairing sounds perfectly complete in the Uruguayan producer’s capable hands. -Caitlin Donohue
4
Bob Morales - "Azares"
Screamo is back from the grave, ready for another go in the cultural landscape, but this time, the music is not (entirely) about angsty emotions. If Bob Morales is any indication of the new wave of heavy emo, it now concerns itself with rocking out as much as pulling some violent but abstract imagery in the lyrics department. The Morelia, Mexico trio know how to come up with hair-raising riffs, and when to let things go the chaotic way to go along with the blood-curdling screams. “Azares” is an excellent calling card, kicking things with certainty and intensity. -Marcos Hassan
5
Silvania - "Mozart"
It’s almost poetic that Wofgang Amadeus Mozart gets so much music written about him and also that somehow his own music touches the creations of others, sometimes within the same context. The synths in “Mozart” by Lima, Peru outfit Silvania bear more than a passing resembleance to his most famous works, but the lyrics come across like minimalistic and fun fanfic based on the movie Amadeus, a search of love and admiration gone awry. You can hear everything that makes synthpop fun in this absuridst yet sophisticated track. -Marcos Hassan
6
Server - "Quema Todas Tus Cosas"
Teetering between irony and gothic glam, Peruvian production duo Server is offering up a refreshing dose of dance floor wit reminiscent of the early days of LCD Soundsystem. In “Quema Todas Tus Cosas,” the opening track from their self-titled debut, you can hear the quirky post-punk and electroclash influences making the pair an exciting new beat in Peruvian dance music. -Richard Villegas
7
My Cousin Vinny & Nurrydog - "Dame Todo"
The perreo stars are lining up once more, this time with the release of “Dame Todo,” a sweaty new collab from producers My Cousin Vinny and Nurrydog. Kicking off as a clubby, minimalistic reggaeton deep-cut, “Dame Todo” steadily builds to epic proportions by incorporating elements of moobahton, EDM and even cumbia into a beautiful dance music collage. -Richard Villegas
8
.Stendal - "Jarvik-7"
The soulful post-punk of dynamic Mexican band .Stendal has paved the way for a loyal international following since first hitting the scene back in 2012. After a two-year silence, the band has returned with a new single titled “Jarvik-7,” a ghostly, seductive song inspired by a real-life artificial heart, providing a beautiful metaphor for how love can keep us alive. -Richard Villegas
9
Armisticio - “Insecto de Sueños”
With “Insecto de Sueños,” Armisticio’s second single off his upcoming fourth album coming out later this year on Quemasucabeza, the experimental pop artist sends us in an exhilarating video game-like rollercoaster ride soundtracked by a mix of Elefant Records pop and Shibuya-kei, daring us to revolt against the status quo and try new things. Sign us up. -Cheky
10
Cariño - “:(“
Cariño’s bittersweet brand of indie pop finds its success in generating conflicting emotions, just like their new single “:(“ does. Following their debut album Movidas, the song bottles up the feeling you get when you realize you have unexpectedly fallen in love with a friend; it’s scary and thrilling. But there’s a twist: they have a couple and it may be too late. Or maybe not? -Cheky
11
MNKYBSNSS - “Frágil”
Produced by former Poolside member Filip Nikolic, Mentiras, the latest EP by MNKYBSNSS, collects four captivating dance tracks to get lost to. With a four-on-the-floor beat, retrofuturistic synths, and funky guitar work, the Bogota duo wants us to strip away the lies we build our personalities around and just let loose and show ourselves. -Cheky