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
Loyal Lobos - "Whatever It Is"
In her short career so far, Los Angeles-based, Colombian singer-songwriter has proven to be a master composer of tunes assembled from raw emotion and personal touches that extend beyond the lyrics. Her path continues with “Whatever It Is,” a track that runs on feelings. Starting in a hushed and folky tone, it soon takes flight into a cathartic revelation of melody and beauty. Loyal Lobos takes the power ballad formula to flip it on its head to haunt the listener, subvert their expectations and take over their mood. -Marcos Hassan
2
Luna Luna - "Luv On Me"
Dallas bedroom pop heartthrobs Luna Luna have unveiled a brand new cuddle-inducing bop titled “Luv on Me,” featuring ethereal background vocals from rising talents LYTA and ASH. Reaching beyond the wavy Cuco-esque sound of their latest EP, Carousel, “Luv on Me” is as nimble and bouncy as an inflatable castle, overflowing with fluttering snares and soaring falsettos that will have fans aching for prom slow dancing. -Richard Villegas
3
Benfika - “Exodexo”
It’s been a minute since we last heard from Tijuana producer Benfika, but he’s back and ready to give us his new five-track EP Ruinas, previewed by his first single “Exodexo.” Its skipping synths sound foreign-yet-familiar, and they take us on an exploration through an alien jungle. As we take in the ever-morphing scenery, we suddenly come out on the other end, renewed and ready to do it again. -Cheky
4
LASTMONDAY - No Soy Básico
Little chance you’ll be dismissed as a basic with that falsetto, but rising New York reggatonero LASTMONDAY is on a mission to set himself apart from the pack. The bootstrap COVID era music video his director of choice Modern Day Auteur put together for the trapped-out “No Soy Básico” mines the artist’s fine tuned sense of humor, relying on IG filters and the occasional, tricksy display of telekinetic powers. -Caitlin Donohue
5
Plug Plug - "A Donde Sea"
Peruvian rock brutalists Plug Plug are presenting their first collection of new music in six years and they don’t waste time getting their point across. “A Donde Sea” clocks at just a hair over 90 seconds and it’s a rager full of ‘90s alt noise rock and emocore winks executed with punk abandon. The result is a lean and catchy rock tune brimming with energy and righteous anger. -Marcos Hassan
6
Tayrell - "Take It Slow"
Mexico City production duo Tayrell have linked up with soulful French singer Holybrune for a futuristic new R&B jam titled “Take It Slow.” Drawing from nu-disco, neo-soul and every other SoundCloud hybrid under the sun, the track is a shapeshifting earworm where Holybrune’s buttery vocals glide with ease over Tyrell’s sumptuous beats of warbling synths and oscillating percussion effects. -Richard Villegas
7
Mi Amigo Invencible - “Freelance”
Mendoza septet Mi Amigo Invisible have dropped their first original song since the release of their outstanding 2019 album Dustiland, and it’s something special. Co-produced by Javier Wayler (Stereophonics) and Charlie Desidney, “Freelance” reads like half a love story, half a sour depiction of the freelancer life, and together with its static instrumentation, it sounds like it was made for this quarantine all along. -Cheky
8
Duplat - “Salto de Fe”
Colombian artist and Mitú collaborator Duplat is readying his upcoming album Espuma, and “Salto de Fe” is its first single. The smooth Casiotone-like aesthetics of “Salto de Fe” sets the tone for the soothing lyrics, an exercise on slowing down our lives and trusting that there will always be someone there to catch us. In a nutshell, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. -Cheky
9
Esteman - "Para Siempre"
Less than a year after releasing his phenomenal liberation manifesto Amor Libre, Esteman has already begun releasing new music, this time with production overseen by fellow Colombian hitmaker Juan Pablo Vega. Following up on effervescent disco ditty “Hasta Que Tú Me Quieras,” “Para Siempre” peels back another layer of Esteman’s new sonic palette, crooning about a love that will last forever over soothing guitar strums and a delicious collision of funky bass lines and saturated drum kicks. -Richard Villegas
10
Mabe Fratti - "Muchos Ayeres" ft. Belafonte Sensacional
Guatemalan experimental cellist Mabe Fratti has been playing some of the most intriguing and euphoric music in Latin America for a few years now and her new album of collaborations is proof she’s not done changing the game. “Muchos Ayeres” is her collaboration with Mexican urbano folk punk rocker Belafonte Sensacional and together they deliver a cubist blues sound-poetry piece that is as beautiful and sad as it is amorphous and noisy. -Marcos Hassan
11
Camilo Séptimo - “Gris”
With their atmospheric 80s-inspired new jam “Gris,” Mexico’s Camilo Séptimo are here for everyone who has been left on “read” at their most vulnerable moment: when confessing their love. The icy instrumentation reflects the song title, and when your heart is about to break, singer Manuel Mendoza’s falsetto resounds with it so it finally smashes into pieces. -Cheky
12
Mi$$il - "Latina"
This Paraguayan reggaetónera is at her best when she’s purring tribute to her own powers. Mi$$il’s new track “Latina” catches that exultant, sensual vibe, a loose tropical banger whose video sees the chanteuse meneando in a peekaboo look of her own creation. -Caitlin Donohue
13
EsaMiPau!! feat. Charly Gynn & The Produsexxx - "Bam Bam"
This DJ from Mexico City party crew Perreo Millennial makes a case for her studio skills alongside Tempus Music associates Charly Gynn and production trio The Produsexxx. “Bam Bam” is the kind of straightforward party jams for which CDMX perreo is known, filled with directives to leave you sweating by the end of the track. -Caitlin Donohue