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.
1
The Garifuna Collective - “Black Catbird”
Following the success of his A Guide to the Birdsong of South America compilation, producer El Búho has curated a new volume of tracks inspired by the songs of endangered bird species, this time from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Belize’s The Garifuna Collective chose the black catbird, whose melody bounces and dances to the beat of the eponymous song’s flavorful rhythm, bringing whimsy to their Garifuna tradition. -Cheky
2
Holy Wave - "Interloper"
Austin, Texas’ Holy Wave have made a career of interpreting the different iterations of psychedelic music throughout the ages. For “Interloper,” they give us an appropriately trippy melodic ballad that manages to bring the spring vibes we so desperately need. Beatles-like moments of harmonic bliss inform most of the song but like the best psych-pop, their lethargic sunshine hints at something else just below the surface. -Marcos Hassan
3
Maga (Salviatek) - "Calma"
The Salviatek collective presents this Chilean producer, whose latest track is a cascading barrage of IDM that express the urgency of their country’s continued struggle for political change. “We tell ourselves again and again: keep calm, breathe, and go out, take to the streets, this isn’t over yet,” reads a note accompanying the song. It’s not just lip service; proceeds from the track will go legal, psychological, and logistic citizens mobilization fund Brigada Cascos Rojos. -Caitlin Donohue
4
El Dusty - “Bruk Wine” (ft. Soulfiya, Andre Da Tippa & Happy Colors)
If you draw a Venn diagram including cumbia, dancehall and reggaeton, right where the three overlap lies “Bruk Wine,” El Dusty, Soulfiya, Andre Da Tippa, and Happy Colors’s new banger. This foursome are making it hard for us to not break the quarantine to go for a steamy dance session like the one the track’s name proposes, but we encourage you to hit play and drop it down low at home anyway. -Cheky
5
Mourn - "Call You Back"
The members of Mourn open their latest single singing “I rather die!,” giving us an appropriate soundtrack for these angsty times. Luckily, the Barcelona band knows how to channel this kind of feeling into a cathartic experience, giving us ‘90s emo-core realness that feels jagged and beautiful. Their shouty, harmonically rich vocals sound like an aural balm for us to know that there’s a glimmer of hope in these desperate times. -Marcos Hassan
6
Brray - "Perreo Asqueroso Vol 2"
Mamasita, bebesuki, demonia—whatever you’re calling the object of your affection these days, this would have been the perfect pre-quarantine grind track. No need to remind you that you probably don’t have access to such athletic debauchery at the moment—but you should file away this Puerto Rican trapero’s shifting reggaetón progression produced by Jay Music and Dj Fifo for future usage. -Caitlin Donohue
7
Famasloop - “Balcón” (ft. Luis Jiménez)
Venezuelan band Famasloop continue to drop singles in preparation for the release of their fourth album, Lo Más Seguro Es Que Quién Sabe. They have now unveiled “Balcón,” an electronic rock track co-produced by La Vida Boheme’s Henry D’Arthenay and featuring Los Mesoneros’ Luis Jiménez, about the fear and thrill that come when we face uncertainty, and in today’s situation, honestly, who can’t relate? -Cheky
8
Soy Emilia - "Tuami"
Colombian singer-songwriter and producer Soy Emilia has embraced a bolder sound since the release of last year’s underrated En Construccion LP, with every new single pealing back more complex layers of synthpop mastery. Her latest release is “Tuami,” a vulnerable, tropical adventure where Emilia’s euphoric vocals dance around warbling synths while unspooling a giddy tale about being in love and giving herself to her partner entirely. -Richard Villegas
9
Nova Materia - "Strength"
Franco-Chilean duo Nova Materia have unveiled a new three-track EP titled Strength, – a series of chaotic rhythmic studies based on the title track, which was inspired by co-founder Eduardo Henriquez’s recent experiences in Chile during the waves of social unrest that began last fall. “Strength” plays with tinges of post-punk, industrial and dark club undertones, creating a pulsating sonic canvas where singer Caroline Chaspoul draws the listener in with ghostly add libs and distorted vocal runs. -Richard Villegas
10
Riel - “1990”
Argentine duo Riel has no issue showing their affinity for 90s indie rock stylings, but they have taken their appreciation even further by releasing a track simply called “1990.” Now leaning towards dream pop, they sing about the confusion of growing up in a decade marked by technological changes, while crunchy guitars and plushy synths to set the context vividly. -Cheky
11
Adelaida - "No Hay Daño" ft. Chini.png
On one of the stand out tracks from their latest album, Animita, Valparaíso’s alternative revivalists Adelaida give us everything that made the music of the era of flannel and loud guitars rule hard. Going back to the very core of what resonated about indie rock in the ‘90s, Adelaida deliver a fuzzy riff for the ages, loud/quiet/loud dynamics, and amazing hooks sung by Chini.png, making it a buzzworthy song that goes beyond nostalgia. -Marcos Hassan
12
Flores Silvestres - "In Space"
If nothing else, Flores Silvestres is here to prove that the Chilean psych-rock explosion of the past few years is still a creative force worth paying attention to. “In Space” is full of dreamy soundscapes formed by gentle guitar chords and ethereal vocals and their brief bursts of noise push the feeling to ecstatic territory. This is the perfect music to let your mind drift off to the unknown. -Marcos Hassan
13
MANCANDY - "Eternidad" (prod. by Brun OG)
Collaborating remotely with his longtime producer Brun OG and recording from within his design atelier, MANCANDY has just dropped his single “Eternidad,” part of a new compilation by label S.TuDiO.mx titled #EscuchameEnCasa. The track represents a refreshing sonic departure for MANCANDY, who steps away from radio-friendly perreo bangers and embraces trap production and an R&B flow for a heartfelt urbano ballad. -Richard Villegas