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
Xenia Rubinos - “Diosa” & “Bugeisha”
After exploring a different side of her musical personality as XENIA2020, Xenia Rubinos is back with two tracks that will set your world on fire in case you need a boost. “Diosa” serves a minimalist kuduro-like rhythmic backdrop for Rubinos to deliver a hymn of female reaffirmation of personal strength, resulting in a dancefloor burner that will not let you down.
“Bugeisha” is also a track for dancers to get satisfy an itch to go crazy on any given night; it’s a noisy rush of drums and electronic handclaps that are complemented by abstract vocal patterns, enunciating lyrics inspired by the fierce warriors of ancient Japan of the same name. Both songs invite the listener to lift up the spirits of women everywhere. -Marcos Hassan
2
Girl Ultra feat. Ximena Sariñana - "fuckhim"
I just about fell down when I saw this track’s title on Girl Ultra’s new album Nuevos Aires, and I’m fully on board with all that followed. The lyrics to “Fuck Him” feel like that pep talk we’ve all gotten from a ride or die when your bleak AF relationship has reached its breaking point. The fact that those words are delivered here in a sweet harmony by Girl Ultra and bright Mexican pop singer, Sariñana, makes them go down all the more easily. -Caitlin Donohue
3
Dylan Thomas - "Recuerdos"
With a sound that urgently oscillates between fuzzy garage optimism and shoegaze dreaminess, Dylan Thomas have remained one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets for far too long. Those days are now over, thanks to a vivacious new single titled “Recuerdos,” which kicks open the door of a new age — perfectly showcasing the first taste of their delightfully sweater-weather appropriate sophomore EP, Algunos Recuerdos Distantes, out on November 29. -Richard Villegas
4
Silva de Alegría - “Fantasmas”
Silva de Alegría rerecorded a track from his old band Furland to make it sound as it was originally intended. Now an embellished folk-rock number, “Fantasmas” tells the story of two youngsters who continue to love each other even after they die, first while they’re stuck together on Earth as ghosts and after as they finally cross over to the other side. Not even death could pull them apart. -Cheky
5
Tayhana - "Some Days Back I Had A Happy Ending in My Grasp"
It’s hard to believe that this Hiedrah co-founder had yet to drop a full EP before this week. That oversight was corrected with Tierra del Fuego, whose project’s title is a nod to its protagonist’s Patagonian home turf. “SDBIHAHEIMG” is its opener, with smooth transitions between taut drums and echoing club riffs serving as a warning shot for nine inventive tracks laid down by the deft hand of your favorite producer’s favorite producer. -Caitlin Donohue
6
El Shirota - “Más de Una Vez”
Mexican underground darlings El Shirota are currently in the middle of a US tour that started at Freakout Fest in Seattle — an unrelated yet oddly serendipitous sonic connection to their brand new single “Más de Una Vez,” which conjures much of the city’s grunge greatness by way of filthy guitar chords, despondent vocals and bestial wails. -Richard Villegas
7
Ghetto Kids, Dalex & Happy Colors - “Comerte Toda”
Ghetto Kids, Happy Colors, and Dalex did a fine job connecting dembow and Afro-pop on “Comerte Toda,” and we’re loving it. On this colorful collaboration, Dalex gets behind the mic and he’s trying hard to contain his passion for a girl he’s still trying to figure out, and he’s just bursting into the flames of desire before our very ears. -Cheky
8
Rosella (prod. Paul Marmota) - "Más de Una Vez"
Rosella is easily one of Mexico’s more mysterious shapeshifter singers, her vocal talents having shone on a handful of urbano tracks whose vibes hover on the edges of consciousness. Here, she again (after 2018’s “Ella”) pairs with Chilean, Mexico City-based producer Paul Marmota, who seems opposed to dropping his crown as distortion reggaeton’s vampire king. -Caitlin Donohue
9
Kirnbauer - "Siento Que"
Monterrey bedroom pop ingenue Kirnbauer is stepping away from the bashful folksiness of her first two EPs with new single “Siento Que,” a groovy, dance floor friendly ode to late-night seductions. Winding bass lines and Kirnbauer’s own restrained vocal monotone make for a hypnotic, retro disco experience that will remind you of everyone from Clubz to Nile Rodgers without ever sounding referential or repetitious. -Richard Villegas
10
Mula - "Salvador"
Let’s get this out of the way: This is not the Dominicano Mula you’re probably more familiar with; this Mula is from Colombia and will make you want to rage instead of making your ass move all night long. As heard on “Salvador,” this band is something of an orgy of rock n’ roll noise, with heavy, chaotic riffs firing in all directions to the tune of a punk marching band —horns and all— blasting out of a riot or a parade or perhaps both at the same time. The song doesn’t ask for salvation, it demands it with a sneer. -Marcos Hassan
11
Impvlso - “Con Lasers & La Chingada”
Just in time for his participation on this weekend’s Mutek.Mx, Impvlso has dropped his debut album Katharsis, inspired by the chaotic nature of Mexico City. His track “Con Lasers & La Chingada” is a nervous clashing of trance synth melodies that beam out to the sky and intermittent jungle breaks that do a good job taking us to the busy streets of the Mexican capital in rush hour. -Cheky
12
Lizz - "Embalao"
One of the Neoperreo crew stalwarts, Chile’s Lizz a.k.a. BabyLizz has been steadily grinding her own way through the underground trap scene for years. “Embalao” is an excellent example of her precision tactics for creating a razor-edged tale of search and destruction. The steamy video — cheeky pole shots included — was filmed at Mexico City’s Rico Club, one of the detonation points of the global queer perreo circuit. -Caitlin Donohue