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
Kablito - "Corazón Partido"
Like an erotic dream shattered by daylight, we’ve all had that moment when you can’t believe a love affair is spent. “Corazón Partido” is the soundtrack to that realization. Ecuadorian singer Kablito — a.k.a. Karen Freire — has given in to sprawling telenovela influences in the past, and you can hear it on this pop single. Overtop an ever-so-faint reggaeton beat, Kablito laments all those years spent caring for a boo who, turns out, wasn’t worth it. -Caitlin Donohue
2
Lido Pimienta - "Eso Que Tú Haces"
On the cumbia-laden “Eso Que Tú Haces,” Lido Pimienta firmly but lovingly reflects on what she will and won’t allow in a relationship, be it with a human being or with a country. When she beautifully sings the title line on the chorus, with brass and woodwinds exploding along with her, it sounds like a call for empathy. Don’t miss the gorgeous music video, and try not to be moved by Grupo KUMBE’s dances. -Cheky
3
Macross 82-99 - "Plástico Amor" feat. Annie K
Mexico’s titan of J-pop and future funk, Macross 82-99, has dropped his first production of 2020 — a sped-up, deliciously electrified cover of Japanese singer Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love.” Featuring vocals by Annie K, the Macross-helmed production includes a Spanish translation of the original lyrics. It still captures Takeuchi’s spirit of romantic longing, with some added punch and sparkle for truly gratifying dance floor euphoria. -Richard Villegas
4
Anthony Ramos - "Relationship"
Part of me wishes that Anthony Ramos would get a more adventurous producer for his forays into romantic pop. The other part of me, however, quite frankly could not care less. “Relationship” is a near-perfect candy heart. The single is accompanied by a music video where Ramos is so characteristically appealing as a reluctant dance studio love interest that you wish it were movie-length. -Caitlin Donohue
5
Méne - "21 Miligramos"
Hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, Méne is gearing up to release his new four-track EP La Luz by spring this year, but before that, he’s given us “21 Miligramos.” Through this Monvco-produced trap-R&B, Méne opens up about his struggles with depression and the medication he now takes to ease the burden. It’s a triumphant letter to his younger self, acknowledging his past mistakes and his will to get better. -Cheky
6
Loris - "Gharam"
Your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ mixes traces of her Palestinian roots into worldly sets that sit just right with her home crowds in Mexico. Loris hypnotizes in “Gharam,” a track that surges through deceptively simple progressions. -Caitlin Donohue
7
Jean Dawson - "Bruise Boy"
Jean Dawson is not particularly interested in playing your games — a subject quite literally explored on his 2019 album Bad Sports. And as his new single “Bruise Boy” makes abundantly clear, there are no boxes in which to contain his talent or sonic curiosity. Blending sunny garage-rock guitars with trap high hats and the gravitas of a rookie Tyler, the Creator, Jean Dawson is electric throughout “Bruise Boy,” conjuring the wild restlessness of border-life duality. -Richard Villegas
8
DJ Bitman & Akapellah - "Así Vacilo Yo"
The Chile-Venezuela connection has officially leveled up with “Así Vacilo Yo,” the new collaboration between DJ Bitman and Akapellah. Bitman’s sampledelic beat is deliciously old-school, and through el Gordo Funky’s rhymes, we don’t just learn about the way he likes to kick it and the drugs involved, but also about his hometown and his take on the current state of hip-hop in the Caribbean. Not bad! -Cheky
9
Abbacook - "Ir + Alla Remix" feat. Yeo
Atmospheric Ecuadorean singer-songwriter Abbacook is upping the ante on his already seductively immersive single, “Ir + Alla.” Here he links up with soulful Australian crooner/producer Yeo for a brand new remix. Their revamp launches an originally laidback song deep into the waters of bass-heavy possibility, creating a newfound experience reminiscent of groovy sunset parties and poolside romances. -Richard Villegas
10
Ambar Lucid - "Story To Tell"
As heard on the trailer of the upcoming Netflix Original Series “Gentefied” and a sneak peek of what to expect on her debut album, neo-psych soul singer-songwriter Ambar Lucid has taken a giant step forward in her craft, shedding a bit of her lo-fi aesthetics for a monster hook and a dembow beat to deliver a ballad for the ages. “No te olvidarás de mi,” she sings in the chorus of “Story To Tell” which very well be a kiss-off to a former lover but it might as well reference the catchiness of the track.
11
Psyspiritual & The Lasso - "Cesar Llaves"
Like if A Tribe Called Quest had been raised on both Gucci Mane and Ellis Regina records, the Ojala Collective members Psyspiritual and The Lasso bring us a song that might be an indication of where the Latinx urbano underground could be headed. The Tucson City/Detroit duo harks back to the jazzy backpack days of hip-hop updated with lush synth pads and sing-songy rhymes. There’s also some Northern Mexican influences buried in the songwriting, just enough to keep you with the repeat function on.
12
Bungalovv - "A Quema Ropa"
By this point, experimental deconstructed techno is already developing a language and form to become less a wild card genre and more it’s own styles that others can latch to. Buenos Aire’s Bugalovv is striving for a middle ground between those two poles. On “A Quema Ropa,” you have beats made out of found sounds of everyday objects being smashed, beaten or broken, but the swing of various types of Latin American rhythms helps the groove mutate to something worth listening to. “A Quema Ropa” packs as much emotional punch as it does in its digital textures.