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
Gianluca - “Yin Yang” feat. Javiera Mena
Artsy Chilean trap brat Gianluca is gearing up to drop his highly anticipated debut album Yin Yang this upcoming October 4th, and as a final teaser, the team over at Quemasucabeza has released the title track to help us ameliorate the wait. Perhaps Gianluca’s poppiest effort to date, “Yin Yang” features indie pop goddess Javiera Mena, giving the track a glossy, club-ready vibe complete with layered synths and thumping bass lines that hint at a record full of surprises. -Richard Villegas
2
Ramona - “Desenfoqué”
Mexican psych-pop outfit Ramona has returned with “Desenfoqué,” their first slice of new music since last year’s sublime Párpados album. The track builds on wavy synths, galactic guitar solos, and Jesús López Guerrero’s syrupy vocals – swirling into a deliciously synesthetic sonic cocktail perfect for getting lost in thought on a long autumn walk. -Richard Villegas
3
Lunay, Daddy Yankee Bad Bunny - "Soltera" Remix (MOODKILLAH Remix)
Flagging over those of us unwilling to let go of hot girl summer to this Mexico City producer’s version of Lunay’s season-opener. MOODKILLAH pumped up the percussion by a factor of 100 (roughly), giving the tracks legs to power it into fall, winter — that first 2020 beach trip even. -Caitlin Donohue
4
Baiuca - "Toutón" feat. Aliboria
Misturas, the latest EP by Baiuca, found the folktronica wizard reimagining songs from Aliboria, a Galician ensemble as passionate as he is about pushing Galician folklore to new grounds. The EP includes “Toutón,” a fantastic reinterpretation where electronic beats and traditional chants clash, making it easy to picture the future of Galician town parties. If you’re not so good with mental pictures, peep the trippy music video directed by Adrián Canoura. -Cheky
5
LocoBeach - "Rata"
Out of the cumbia protoplasm emerges this new Brooklyn-based configuration, powered by members of the Chicha Libre, Los Cremates Paraiso, and Los Amigos Invisibles crews. “Rata” points its fingers, but wavily; the psychedelic fluctuations of the track a denouncement of felonious attempts to harsh the mood. -Caitlin Donohue
6
Fabio Me Llaman Soltero - “Aguardiente”
Guatemalan DJ and producer Fabio Me Llaman Soltero has been hard at work grooming a burgeoning local house and techno scene, first as part of the Sonido Moderna collective, and more recently attracting international talent to his small lakeside club Azul Rosa, in the town of Panajachel. His new Aguardiente EP sums up the last few years of collaborations and influences, with a title track dripping with intimidating Berlin cool, melded with all the madness of Tony Gallardo’s virtuosic sample-driven A.D.D. -Richard Villegas
7
Buenos Vampiros - "Paranormal"
Judging from their latest single, Argentinian youngsters Buenos Vampiros are an aptly named band. There’s plenty of crushed velvet and black lipstick to their music, but “Paranormal” smacks of smiles emanating from those darkened mouths. The song is poppy and even a little bouncy without sacrificing any heavy vibes you can expect from a band with “vampiros” in their name. -Marcos Hassan
8
Sticky M.A. & Steve Lean - “0's”
These two Spanish urbano drivers released an album together earlier this month, but they couldn’t keep their hands off each other’s studio schedule. “0’s” drifts in on a lust-struck afternoon special, the single designed to get you lubricated for Sticky M.A.’s in-process tour of his home country. -Caitlin Donohue
9
Perra Vida - "La Razón"
On their first full-length album, Perú’s Perra Vida is as raging as they were when they first surfaced last year with their particularly angry and melodic take on punk. “La Razón,” the opening track from their new album Eterno Retorno, features as much rage and rumble as their previous music, but a new sense of melody and better songwriting chops make them more lethal than ever. -Marcos Hassan
10
Jay Ulloa & Eix - "Cold"
Mexican-American teenage sensation Jay Ulloa teamed up with singer Eix for “Cold,” and it proves you’re never too young to be heartbroken. On the bilingual pop track, embellished with a little Afro-pop syncopation courtesy of Karloff, Ulloa picks up the pieces of what’s left of his heart after a failed relationship, and we just want to hug him and tell him things will get better. After all, he’s only 17. -Cheky