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.
1
Omar Apollo - "Trouble"
Singer-songwriter Omar Apollo lays out a blanket suitable for the polar freeze with this wistful R&B reflection co-produced by Blake Slatkin. The song’s guitar chords come padded around soft falsettos, which build into a whirling turbine by song’s end. –Caitlin Donohue
2
Jackie Mendoza - "De Lejos"
San Diego’s Jackie Mendoza might describe “De Lejos” as a “ukelele ballad,” but that description simply doesn’t do it justice. The ukelele can be heard throughout this ditty about unrequited love, but there’s so many unexpected elements in the recording, which makes for a satisfying psychedelic experience, giving this irresistible pop track an refreshing spin. –Marcos Hassan
3
¥√L x - "Lady Shmurda Ha (el edit del Tercer World)"
Early aughts anthem “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” from French house duo Modjo walks in a ball hosted by TERCER WORLD, a new project comprised of TRRUENO co-founder Astrosuka and fellow Buenos Aires producer Candie. Ha crashes mix with reggaeton stutters in a rather thought-jolting collision. –Caitlin Donohue
4
Budaya - "Olas"
Guanajuato duo Budaya are almost ready to release their forthcoming LP Calma, and their new single “Olas” is a splash of feel-good synth pop. Between big kicks and retro synths, Maya Piña and Tulio Almaraz take turns behind the mic to remind us there is enough space for all of us in the gigantic ocean we call life. –Cheky
5
Brray - "Sheesh"
The Trujillo Alto trapero comes through with a tangy flow, exploring the vast difference between your mom raising you right and saying no to el malianteo. The appealing hook will float through your head during this weekend’s exploits. –Caitlin Donohue
6
La Chica - "Ratas"
On her new single “Ratas,” French-Venezuelan singer La Chica exposes her mounting anxieties over the anti-immigrant waves that have overtaken much of the world. Based in Belleville, France, La Chica has witnessed these clashes firsthand in an increasingly right-wing Europe, while her Venezuelan compatriots face xenophobic pushback as they continue seeking refuge outside their embattled homeland. “Ratas” is a sardonic evisceration of dehumanizing dog whistles that cast immigrants as plagues, underscoring the vile absurdity of such arguments. –Richard Villegas
7
Divino Niño – "Foam"
Divino Niño’s much-anticipated third album is finally on the horizon, and with the release of their single “Foam,” we finally have our first taste of the band’s shimmery new sonic direction. On “Foam,” the Chicago psych pop outfit radiates colorful lounge lizard vibes, colliding a mix of congas, sunny guitars, and wavy synths into a whimsical new romp. –Richard Villegas
8
Luna Luna - "Commitment"
Our Dallas sweater pop faves are back with a new bilingual single all about the gray areas between a blooming romance and a full-on relationship. For anyone who has ever felt lost in love limbo, this sweet new jam will cradle your heart until the uncertainties clear. –Richard Villegas
9
La Fiebre - "Shhrek West Edit"
Mexican electronic agitator Tony Gallardo may have stepped away from his beloved cult project María y José, but that doesn’t mean he’s done causing chaos on the dance floor. Currently based in Monterrey, Gallardo has been performing at many of the city’s underground reggaeton parties under the name La Fiebre, and “Shhrek West Edit” from his new bootleg EP has turned a SoundCloud edit by Paul Mond and Sheck Wes into a wild culo-shaking offering to the perreo gods. –Richard Villegas
10
Juan Son - "Montaña"
In case you didn’t know, Juan Son is back in town and he’s ready to take you on a ride. On “Montaña,” his third single since his return to the spotlight last year, the former Porter frontman conjures ethereal electronic sounds and his own quirky voice to send you soaring through the sky above vast landscapes, while reassuring you with the possibility of life after death. -Cheky
11
Francisco Arrechea - "Vamos Al Parque"
There are no layers to the message behind “Vamos Al Parque” – it’s a song about just wanting to go to the park – but in the hands of this Mendoza, Argentina singer-songwriter, it’s an ecstatic plea for happiness. Shoegaze guitars become a sonic metaphor for sunny days and endless leisure, while hinting at just a bit of melancholy. Few others make ethereal bedroom recordings sound this alive. –Marcos Hassan
12
Juan Wauters - "El Señor"
Juan Wauters finally dropped La Onda de Juan Pablo, his first record since 2015, a tender collection of Latin American portraits where “El Señor” stands out for its simplicity and emotion. Backed by Buenos Aires guitarist Alejandro Dominguez, the Uruguayan troubadour creates a narrative about family and distance that’s so relatable you might want to pick up the phone and call your relatives by the time the song comes to a close. -Cheky