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
CUCO feat. Jean Carter – “Bossa No Sé”
Cuco’s whole vibe mirrors a lot of bossa nova when you think about it, and he makes it official with his new joint. His chillwave/rockabilly ballad/hip-hop beats vibe certainly leans towards a lot of contemporary music, but the easy-going, yearning and melodic yet rhythmic genre of Brazilian music could easily describe that of LA’s prince of heartache.”Bossa No Sé” finds Omar Banos keeping things simple, catchy, and even a little child-like, only for Jean Carter to bring the track to another level with a massive verse worthy of a golden mic. We’re ready for a bossa revival, and the trippy, Ugly Primo-directed video takes us there in style. -Marcos Hassan
2
Los Retros - "Friends"
What’s in the water in Oxnard, California? The SoCal suburb’s music scene has recently spat out lo-fi phenom Cuco, Cola Boyy, and now Los Retros, a.k.a. 19 year old Mauri Tapia, who recorded his melancholic pop – inspired by Latin American soft rock – 0n his home set-up. This track, a follow-up to his sleeper hit “Someone To Spend Time With,” is an advance of Tapia’s Retrospect EP, dropping June 21 on Stones Throw Records. BTW, Cuco legion: run a fine-toothed comb over the video clip for a glimpse of a certain SoCal major label favorite – goofy footage from his and Los Retros’ tour is here in spades. -Caitlin Donohue
3
Lara Project - “No Siempre Es Perfecto”
On “No Siempre Es Perfecto,” off their latest El Tiempo de Dios No Siempre Es Perfecto EP, Venezuelan duo Lara Project go back to their emotionally-charged trap/R&B to sing about loss and suffering in silence, mourning the sudden passing of a loved one. Singer Felix Lara wears his heart on his sleeve, sinking into hard feelings so he can come out renewed, and we’re crying right there with him. -Cheky
4
Niño de Elche - “Peteneras Mexicanas” (ft. Los Pirañas & Daniela Sanmiguel)
Niño de Elche has been notorious for using his cantaor background to bend genres as he pleases, and he takes another left turn with his new album Colombiana. Producer Eblis Álvarez and his Los Pirañas crew take Niño de Elche on a psychedelic trip on “Peteneras Mexicanas,” with singer Daniela Sanmiguel leading the way until somehow gettng lost in a post-punk alley, never to be found again. -Cheky
5
NOIA - “Capricho de Seda”
Following her 2016 EP Habits, NYC-based Catalan artist NOIA just released her new four-track EP Crisàlida, on Cascine. Album closer “Capricho de Seda” is a stunning nod to UK dance music, which sounds like a fun night in the club that suddenly takes a paranoid turn as our minds fill with second guesses and deep thoughts that we can’t seem to shake off. -Cheky
6
Orieta Chrem - "Deseo"
Seasoned Lima producer Orieta Chrem worked field recordings in from Incan-Andean winter solstice festival Inti Raymi into her latest, and released the atmospheric hip hop track through dark lords Terror Negro Records. Vocals are delivered by Orieta’s fellow alumni from electronic rap group Menores, MC Mambo Punk – and the neon skeletons doing their thing in the video are charming as hell. -Caitlin Donohue
7
Los Nastys – “Ahora Te Puedes Marchar” (Luis Miguel Cover)
Summer is coming and bodies are already tingling with beachy anticipation, so Los Nastys are here to tide you over with a sunny garage twist on Luis Miguel’s “Ahora Te Puedes Marchar.” To our surprise, the rowdy Spanish punks have turned in a clean and rather buttoned up rendition of the Acapulqueño classic, sweeping the listener from the crowded beach to an almost elegant poolside function. -Richard Villegas
8
Smith - "Vibras!"
At this point there is no doubt Reynosa-based producer Smith is a rising star in Mexico’s vibrant R&B underground, dropping his debut album Canciones Dedicadas A Ellas back in February. He’s now back with a brand new track titled “Vibras!,” and the growth is apparent, with beats that slap harder, and an upgraded sense of cockiness in every bar that leaves his lips. Clearly, Smith is the future and we’re just vibing in it. -Richard Villegas
9
La Goony Chonga - "Fiera"
The road to Primavera Sound for our fave Miami-cum-LA rapera leads through this creepy, even-voiced bilingual banger produced by Spain’s Sulto. La Goony Chonga que tu conoces charms us with another bad MILF missive. -Caitlin Donohue
10
Llavz - “I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life For It To Begin”
Bodega Island label head Lael Llaverías has been producing merengue-infused nuggets for a hot minute, but his latest solo foray might be the freshest adventure to date. With “I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life For It To Begin,” Llaverías, aka Llavz, combines nerd rap, bachata requintos and a cheeky Johnny Ramone cadence for a sobering autobiographical track touching on crippling procrastination and precarious living arrangements. -Richard Villegas
11
Electrozombies - "Vita In Morte"
For those who crave fuzzy guitars coming out of gigantic amps, slow as literal hell drumming, and vocals more painful than paying for a lost parking ticket, Chile’s Electrozombies have the goods for you. “Vita In Morte” effectively evokes the feeling of desolation thanks to their characteristic take on doom metal with only a few short lines of lyrics. Not all is dire, though; the riffs are so satisfying that the trio might have unwittingly proven that, for all their pessimism, Electrozombies can be one thing in life that sparks joy. -Marcos Hassan