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
Jenn Morel, Mariah and Elisama - "No Quiero Novio"
Morel’s husky vocals may run away with the spotlight on this track, but that’s not to say the song isn’t still a glittering pop urbano team effort. Visuals do a great job of expressing the luxury of having DR rapper Morel, Miami-born Mariah and Panamanian influencer-cum-chanteuse Elisama all on the same track, and it moves from strength to sartorial strength, blue snake print athleticwear to gold lamé throne dress. Between this song and Chiquis Rivera, Ely Quintero and Helen Ochoa’s banda rage “Las Desenfrenadas,” it’s been quite the month for marquee women’s trios dropping rowdy, burn down the club tracks. -Caitlin Donohue
2
Chicano Batman - “Pink Elephant”
We’re getting closer and closer to the release of Invisible People, Chicano Batman’s forthcoming album, and we now have a new single to savor called “Pink Elephant.” Here, the hip-hop-inspired instrumentation is perfectly orchestrated to make us grove hard, and the daring mix makes our brain tickle. This is the track we want to hear blasting out of car stereos right when we take back the streets. -Cheky
3
Angela Muñoz - “In My Mind”
Young love is a precious thing not because it’s pure or innocent per se; its power comes from the intensity of the feeling, a newness to the world that only falling for a person for the first time can bring you. Angela Muñoz might be the perfect candidate to make this feeling into music, since the 18-year-old showcases an amazing talent of marrying modern soul sensibilities with George Gershwin-inspired dream weaving arrangements. The Adrian Younge-produced “In My Mind” is as sophisticated as it is evocative and a delight to listen to. -Marcos Hassan
4
Nicola Cruz - “Limón Pelado”
With his new EP Fuego Nuevo, Ecuador’s Nicola Cruz debuts on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce, and here, he lets loose on his predilection for rhythm, as he explores the Afro-Cuban musical tradition using a Roland TR-606 drum machine. “Limón Pelado” is the most obvious example, as the song is almost entirely built from synthetic percussion sounds, constructing intricate patterns that our bodies find impossible to resist. -Cheky
5
Vanessa Zamora - “Psilocibina"
In the age of social distancing, one of the only places we have left to explore is our own inner universe—journeys of coping and awakening at the heart of Vanessa Zamora’s latest single, “Psilocibina.” A cheeky, lighthearted dose of pop psychedelia, the track is a guided tour through Zamora’s psilocybin-fueled trips into the self, uncovering textured new layers of aural sensation with every verse. -Richard Villegas
6
Mx. Matías - "Sailor Cumbia"
Los Angeles singer, guitarist and producer Mx. Matías has summoned all her inner moon crystal power to deliver a groovy, delicious cover of Sailor Moon’s iconic theme song, and we are living. Mx. Matías has transformed one of anime’s most beloved instrumentals into a sly psychedelic cumbia loaded with wavy guitars, droning güiro and echoing vocals that will have you firing up the Crunchyroll app and queueing your favorite anime series for the most sabroso binge watch ever. -Richard Villegas
7
Confeti de Odio - “Dale una Oportunidad al Amor”
Approaching the greatness of some of the best exponents of tonti-pop, Spain’s Confeti de Odio dresses up depressing lyrics with flashing lights, tight pants and big smiles. Contrary to the bubbling guitars and grand gesturing vocals, “Dale Una Oportunidad Al Amor” goes against its title to talk about how much love stinks and can make your life hell on Earth. On the plus side, you can dance to Confeti de Odio, reminding you that heartbreak may not be the living end. -Marcos Hassan
8
Sebastián .Otero x J Castle - “Donde nadie nos nombre”
On his latest single, the Puerto Rican R&B exponent wants to make sure you’re taken care of in these times of quarantine. “Donde Nadie Nos Nombre” is a slow jam collaboration with J. Castle that illustrates the desire of running away with someone to let your inhibitions go while transcending our current social-distancing settings. It’s the perfect fantasy for those who are yearning for their lover’s touch, a gentle strut of electric pianos and a sensual groove to take you away to the bedroom. -Marcos Hassan
9
Eurowitch - "Bunda"
“Bunda” is an interesting entrance into the work of Caballito Netlabel, a Granada, Spain-based start-up that puts a slightly different spin on the country’s dancehall and dembow experimentations. This Eurowitch song recasts baile funk into Eurowitch’s hypnotic, mathematical club equation. -Caitlin
10
Omaar - "No,no,no!"
In a moment when kinetic energy is precious, we should be lining up to thank movement-fluent producers like Estado de México’s Omaar, especially for this week’s three-track Funky Edits EP. “No,no,no!” works its way to catharsis through a series of upward cyclones and ecstatic plateaus. -Caitlin
11
Nicolás Jaar - “Sunder”
Last week, Chilean-American artist Nicolás Jaar dropped Cenizas, the follow-up to his 2016 project Sirens, and it was worth the wait. On the second half of the album sits “Sunder,” a texturally rich track that features the sole conventional vocal interpretation on the album. Guided by a repetitive synth line, Jaar talks about sinners and saints, loss and revenge, in such a poetic way he leaves us intrigued but satisfied at the same time. -Cheky
12
Marineros - "Todo A La Vez"
It feels like an eternity since we first slow-danced to Marineros’ captivating indie ballads, but finally a new album is on the horizon and the weeping energy seems pretty high. The latest single from the beloved Chilean pair is “Todo A La Vez,” a reggaeton slow burner about feeling overwhelmed in the throes of a blooming romance, flooded by every emotion possible all at once. -Richard Villegas
13
Jerry Di, Noriel - "Shorty" ft. Lyanno, Cauty, Rafa Pabön, Tommy Boysen
Newcomer Jerry Di jumps right into the deep in with the remix for “Shorty” feat. Noriel, Lyanno, Rafa Pabön, Cauty and Tommy Boysen. The airy bop came right in time for spring, and although we’ll spend this spring mostly indoors, the lighthearted anthem will help mentally transport us to a simpler time. -Eduardo Cepeda
14
Caos Rave - “Estoy Triste”
In the hands of this Valparaíso, Chile musical project, this song originally by OG sad girl Jeanette becomes a thing of true heartbreak. “Estoy Triste” is delivered by simple clean guitar chords, droning synths, and morning-breaking organs while sticking close to the vocals of the original, sounding like tears falling after a night that you can barely remember. -Marcos Hassan