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
Foliage - "Let's Go Home"
There’s a homely feeling to “Let’s Go Home,” due in equal parts to the bedroom production, Manuel Joseph Walker’s sweet vocals, and chiming guitars. The title suggests a yearning for shelter and tranquility, but there’s uncertainty in the lyrics: “I know that you want me to be your man/Well I say/No.” The San Bernardino native’s music reflects this edge by adding shades of goth to the background guitar melodies. –Marcos Hassan
2
Melii - "La Envidia Mata"
Uptown dominicana Melii has a knack for bratty, feeling-yourself bars, and her latest track, “La Envidia Mata,” is no exception. From her “Icey” Spanish remix to her previous single “Sh*t Talk,” it’s 100 percent clear that Melii goes in even harder en español. Blast this track at rude volumes down the block, para todos los lambones who think they deserve your time. –Isabelia Herrera
3
Speak - "This (Mexican American) Life"
What’s Southern California rapscallion Speak been up to since lighting out to live in Mexico City? In this horn-spiked intro track to his new EP, we’re invited into the setup. Speak has fled the United States for the safety of a plant-filled room and his trademark braggadacio, an iron-plated self-care routine for a rapper with words to burn. –Caitlin Donohue
4
María del Pilar - "Original Dreamers"
Through the glitzy 70s disco of the first single from her sophomore album Songs + Canciones II, María del Pilar opens her heart to thank her mom for the sacrifices she made as an immigrant parent in the U.S. It’s a gift to everyone with a similar background, a celebration of the people who left their homes behind looking for a brighter future – the original dreamers. “Say their names without shame.” –Cheky
5
Justo Antes De La Guerra Con Los Esquimales - "Descansar Tranquilo"
Perhaps the band with the longest name to be featured in this section, Argentina’s Justo Antes De La Guerra Con Los Esquimales cook up a storm through jangly, emo-inspired guitars. “Descansar Tranquilo” is a sugar rush brought to you by sour candy, a buildup to something energetic that verges on desperation. At the center, the vocals cradle you like a lover whispering in your ear. –Marcos Hassan
6
Lxs Rusxs Hijxs de Putx - "Poca Cosa"
One of Argentina’s most raging and fun punk bands is new and improved, due in part to their name change. They’ve updated the group’s name to be gender-neutral, but their kiss-my-ass attitude remains intact. “Poca Cosa” demonstrates it perfectly – a distorted rocker about feeling like crap after a breakup, trying to forget the person that did you wrong. There’s also a reference to smoking so much weed that you want to transform your ex-lover into a pizza, and honestly, same. –Marcos Hassan
7
Niños del Cerro - "Contigo"
Listening to “Contigo,” you’ll probably face the problem of what to do with your body: should you dance, jump around, or mosh? The dembow-adjacent rhythm is merciless in its insistence, and the instruments bark loud and clear, driving home the point of exhilaration with enthusiastic and unpolished vocals, inviting you to lose yourself. It’s been almost three years since the Chilean band’s debut album, so there’s a reason behind this celebration. –Marcos Hassan
Listening to “Contigo,” you’ll probably face the problem of what to do with your body: should you dance, jump around, or mosh? The dembow-adjacent rhythm is merciless in its insistence, and the instruments bark loud and clear, driving home the point of exhilaration with enthusiastic and unpolished vocals, inviting you to lose yourself. It’s been almost three years since the Chilean band’s debut album, so there’s a reason behind this celebration. –Marcos Hassan
8
Mala Fama - "Yana Huaita Yura Huaita"
This Ecuadorian producer recorded his track “Yana Huaita Yura Huaita” in concert with the indigenous community of Cotachi, yielding an impressive patchwork of hushed crowd, transcendent folklore falsetto, and razor-edge electronic underworkings. Fittingly, the song is one of the first releases off of Riobamba’s APOCALIPSIS label, a hint of layered explorations of Latinx diaspora to come. –Caitlin Donohue
9
Acentoh - "Yogo Yogo"
Right in the middle of 828, D.R. rapper Acentoh’s Mediopicky-produced first album, sits “Yogo Yogo,” where he feels like playing with fire. Amidst an unsettling hip-hop beat and lyrics that are sexual, political, and pop cultural, he invokes Dominican Vudú spirit Papá Candelo to bless his sound and bring the dead back from the grave, and we’re drawn to it like moths to the flame. –Cheky
10
Álvaro Díaz and Myke Towers - “No Fallamos”
Puerto Rican rappers unite over a classic, refrigerated trap beat for Rapetón, produced by DJ Urba and Rome of Los Evo Jedis, whose CV comes studded with hits from the likes of Farruko and Arcángel – all the way up to Daddy Yankee’s ubiquitous romp “Dura.” –Caitlin Donohue
11
Pioladitingancia - "Chuchi"
Pioladitingancia, our favorite man who’s not a baby, has officially made his entry into the world of music. On “Chuchi,” his addictive dembow romp, the Dominican Instagram star offers an international ode to the turn up, and to his happiness. Andamos chuchi, indeed. –Isabelia Herrera