Art by Alan Lopez 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.
The deep dembow riddim and incandescent guitar licks of Lao Ra’s “Patrona” will push you straight into the fiery heart of summer, as the Colombia-born, L.A.-based artist stands front center as the powerful woman she is, ready to take the world into her own hands while she shakes her hips hasta el piso. –Cheky
On the second track from his new EP I Never Loved a Thot the Way I Loved You, L.A. DJ and producer Etta beautifully encapsulates the thrill of seeing someone you secretly love. It mirrors the internal dialogue you have but are afraid to share – your heart races like the song’s footwork beat, and you get lost in the romance. –Cheky
Acid sounds abound in the opener of Concrete In The Tropics, a new project by Costa Rica’s prime electronic chef Raido. Not settling into a single style or groove, “Poison a G” glides between ambient techno, retro electro grooves, and even a shameless hint of trance, making for one of the most rave-ready cuts in Raido’s already stacked discography. –Marcos Hassan
“Welcome to the Vaticano,” Puerto Rican rapper LeeBrian begins on his Sky Rompiendo trap beat. “Rookie” is a quick 1:47, a tease of the relative newcomer’s loose, bouncy flow but enough of a chance to introduce himself properly to those who haven’t had the pleasure. –Caitlin Donohue
Mexico City producer Isaac Soto lights up geometric patterns in this sweet, shifting electro moment with ongoing collaborator Shell. As in the pair’s past song “In The Mood For Love,” Soto’s work on “Ignite” lets the listener deconstruct the inflections of Shell’s voice, a slight of hand that evokes a condensed, sophisticated side of 80s pop. –Caitlin Donohue
Colombia’s Juanita Carvajal continues exploring her creativity as Soy Emilia, and the first single off her upcoming debut album Reconstrucción sounds like she’s on the right path. “Hasta que salga el sol” is a playful, instantly hooky pop hit for all the club kids who, like her, surrender to the night and its pleasures from dusk until dawn. –Cheky
It’s 2018 and there’s still brave people like Pyura making delicious disco music. The Argentine trio built a driving instrumental to bounce to, with dazzling synth strings that shoot through the sky, as impatient as the lover who narrates the song. We’re ready to go out. –Cheky
Dominican-American singer Yashua drops off a buttery smooth pop dembow to soothe your heartache over a former flame. Get ready to quote this one in your Instagram captions. –Isabelia Herrera
Remember how life was when you were a kid? Free from the responsibilities that fall on you like a ton of bricks when you enter adulthood? Sabrina Claudio does too, and she wrote a slow-burning song about it so we can all travel through time and get in touch with our younger selves, just to recharge our batteries and let go for a little while. –Cheky
From the get-go, “Sleepers” grabs you with a dreamy sensibility that Exploded View have never really explored in their oeuvre. Annika Henderson trades her usual talk-singing flow for a full-fledged melody, and it works like a charm. The rest of the Mexico City-based musicians produce a heavenly mixture of analog electronics without sanding anything down, reminding us that even the most beautiful dreams can have sharp edges. –Marcos Hassan
https://soundcloud.com/santamx/d-i-a-b-l-o
I actually don’t want to be responsible for what you invoke with this track. Mexican producer Santa Niña’s club rager “Diablo” paces soft to sharp to summoning, the exaggerated repetition found at its outer limit sure to delight your favorite gathering of upstanding young Satanists. –Caitlin Donohue