Art by Alan López for Remezcla
Every week, we highlight some of our favorite releases in a handy list. Although we try to cover as much new music as possible, there are so many stellar releases to talk about. Consider this our genre-diverse guide to songs we have on repeat.
Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Forget waves; KAINA should be causing tsunami’s in Chicago’s vibrant underground, as deftly demonstrated by her latest single “Ghost.” Her soaring vocals cut through the dense atmospheric production of the track, earnestly guiding the listener through a gallery of lingering memories from a long defunct romance. -Richard Villegas
With some production aid from his Trending Tropics bandmate Eduardo Cabra, Vicente García refreshes the face of bachata on “Ahí Ahí.” The Dominican singer/songwriter’s new single blends Arca-esque Prophet synth sounds and trap references to enrich bachata’s tropical flavor profile, making this a tasty dish to serve hot on a reconciliation dinner with the love of your life. -Cheky
iLe’s latest album Almadura is a powerful musical document balancing tradition, social criticism, vulnerability and personal strength. “Ñe, Ñe, Ñe” embodies all these qualities, conjuring bomba rhythms and an old-school folk flow to deliver a searing indictment of the Puerto Rican political establishment. -Richard Villegas
This is your ride if you’re looking for a good time. Aj Dávila and Mexico City-based singer Alma Paz let reggaeton surface in their multi-genre wanderings, their voices flexing between a variety of vocal styles. What emerges is a song in the vein of San Benito’s outer emo realm perreo tracks, bringing lateral Puerto Rican-run fusion vibes. -Caitlin Donohue
Sometimes you have to make way for a good baby-making track. If Rauw and Lary don’t hype your fertility levels, you’ll at least be able to appreciate this song for its opening’s synth chords, syncopated into a wistful, melodized bed creak. -Caitlin Donohue
https://soundcloud.com/yelramselectah1/ms-nina-tu-sicaria-yelram-selectah-remix
I can’t believe Ms Nina’s original version came out in 2017, because that song still doesn’t stop playing. “Tu Sicaria” has established itself as one of the true classics within the auditory galaxies surrounding Neoperreo, so it’s no surprise that Yelram Selectah found unexpected levels to pop off on within the track. Nina’s voice turns into a taunting purr, with the recognizable Beauty Brain-produced bass line isolated into appetizing reps, with a few “mamarre” on it to keep the kids happy in 2019. -Caitlin Donohue
From the fertile Chihuahua grounds comes an instrumental track from one of the city’s most satisfying bands. Nostalgic yet playful guitars and an upbeat rhythm star in a track that will have you thinking you can ride the wind like surfing waves, or at least make you think you once did a long time ago. “Volando Bajo La Lluvia” captures the feeling of seeing the sun and not being quite sure why you’re feeling blue at the moment. -Marcos Hassan
It’s not often that you see a project that mixes drums and DAWs quite like F5’s proposal. The three, fifth-generation candombe percussionists of the Silva family occupy the proscenium surrounded by the skillful manipulations and additions of Lechuga Zafiro. The producer intervenes and accompanies the drive and crescendo of the piano, repique, and chico drums of “Basket” with his freeform club discourse. I’m kind of dying to see what the songs of this SURCO EP look like when performed live, and if you’ll be at Primavera Sound, you’ll get just that chance. -Caitlin Donohue
Ever since Ferraz started singing on his own tracks, he’s poured nothing but romance on us. On “Quédate,” the sun is setting behind palm trees, and the Venezuelan producer is craving kisses and hugs from his love interest, manifesting his impulses with disguised danzón-like percussion, bossa nova guitar strums, and a pillowy beat. -Cheky
Catnapp’s forthcoming debut full-length on Modeselektor’s Monkeytown Records is right around the corner, and her first single is a frightening experience we want to relive over and over again. “Down in The Basement” lures us into a dark empty space, and just before we know it, she’s all up in our face, half seducing us, half scaring us, and completely making it clear she’s the real deal. -Cheky
If you have been paying attention, then you know that Latinx screamo has become a force to be reckoned with in the past few years. And San José, Costa Rica’s Nossara drive the point home expertly thanks to their expert mixture of intense vocals and discordant guitar work. “Arder” is a long scream of passion and desperation that burns with a white-hot flame and leaves a trail of emotion in its wake. -Marcos Hassan
Taking the already brilliant “Deseo,” and stripping it of most of its neo-cumbia Andina elements to leave just the essence and feel of the style, then taking the contributions of rapper Mambo Punk to lead the party instead of spewing championship-worthy bars, Tribilin Sound manages to marry the experimental side of the brilliant work of Orieta Chrem with a dembow riddim that lets the party pop in this Peruvian love-in. -Marcos Hassan
Chilean house producer and vocalist Alex June has released a new single titled “Nuestro Vicio,” an anthem for late night dance floor warriors. Get wrapped up in the thumping bass lines and glimmering synth stabs, and we promise you’ll be making a run to the club for a few twirls before last call. -Richard Villegas
This week, Tribu del Sol’s iconic 1998 smash “Por Tí” received an exciting R&B facelift courtesy of Dominican production duo Martox, who’ve put a very 2019 sadboy crooner spin on the track. Beware; this is no throwaway cover. Martox have carefully crafted a bass-heavy jam complete with silky vocals and a faint bachata guitar that has the potential to spark a thousand slow dances.
