12 New Songs You Need to Hear This Week

1

Rosalía - "Di Mi Nombre"

For the final preview before of El Mal Querer, Rosalía brought out unsettling but seductive energy for “Di Mi Nombre,” reflected in a sparse but commanding rhythm and her stunning vocals. An ode to submission in exchange for fidelity, the Catalan singer summons a world of pain, pleading her lover to tie her to the bed just to hear them say her name in ecstasy. Temperature and expectations for the album suddenly rose higher, and we weren’t sure that was possible. –Marcos Hassan

2

Twin Shadow - "Hollow Days"

Following his 2018 album Caer, Twin Shadow drops off a new loosie called “Hollow Days,” where he pays homage to his Dominican roots by going into full bachata mode. He borrows from the genre he grew up with and gives it an electronic spin to make this heartfelt track, which already has us scanning the room to find the first dance partner that crosses our way. Romeo who? –Cheky

3

Sammi Sanchez - "Down Girl" ft. Alex Aiono

The protagonists of this steamy, contemporary dance-strung video give off wholesome vibes, in spite of the whole “down girl” hook of the poppy Spanglish confection. The Rude Boyz beat hits, and there’s no denying that Alex Aiono looks nice in a trench coat. –Caitlin Donohue

4

Ha$lopablito - "Gusto Culposo"

19-year-old Bogotá rapper Pablo Jaramillo heads Ha$lopablito, a trap project whose lyrics are generally engaged in political commentary and conveying the daily travails of Colombian city life. “Gusto Culposo” is a stop-and-go single for which producer Aaronparce dips into baile funk and reggaeton to lace for the party. –Caitlin Donohue

5

Iris Creamer - "Sweet Tooth"

The Providence-based renaissance woman brings her most positive manifestations for the lyrics and production on this daydream-y flow over a echoing, boom-bap beat. Let yourself be seduced. –Caitlin Donohue

6

Javier Arce - “Beibi” ft. Fármacos

Costa Rican singer-songwriter Javier Arce continues to guide us down a path of personal exploration, falling deeper into a rabbit hole of ambient-flavored R&B with every release. “Beibi,” his latest single, is a subtle but sensual song about a couple finding refuge in each other’s company, where Chilean indie rockers Fármacos drop by for a verse that is far more interested in intensifying the song’s shimmery longing than ramping up the BPMs. –Richard Villegas

7

Something Obscura - "Human Torch"

Lima, Perú’s Something Obscura checks every box when it comes to the goth lyrical canon. References to death? Check. A plea to return to innocence? Check. References to ancient religions? Check. The acoustic “Human Torch” approximates post-industrial apocalyptic folk, rich in atmosphere and sentiment, enough to call spirits from beyond to sit with you on your couch so you won’t feel alone on a spooky evening. –Marcos Hassan

8

AQUIHAYAQUIHAY - "Ambiente"

Mexico’s freshest boy band AQUIHAYAQUIHAY takes another step on their path to success with “Ambiente,” an understated trap&B song where each of its members trade verses to reflect on those little things we sometimes can’t even verbalize that are, at the end of the day, the spice of life. Kind of like the tingly feeling we’re getting every time that Legend of Zelda sample pops up. –Cheky

9

María del Pilar - “Milagrito”

The newest single from María del Pilar’s forthcoming sophomore album Songs + Canciones II is an effervescent kiss called “Milagrito,” featuring backing vocals by Las Cafeteras and guitars by Gloria Estrada. It’s a celebration of love that has the same effect as receiving a puppy GIF when you’re feeling down: it spreads warmth in your body until you feel energized and ready to face this dark world. –Cheky

10

Francisca Valenzuela - "Ya No Se Trata De Ti"

Chilean indie pop goddess Francisca Valenzuela drops off a confessional ballad about growth and cultivating a sense of freedom after a toxic relationship. Get ready to sing into your hairbrush. –Isabelia Herrera

11

Boundary - "Aerodynamics of Multimedia"

On “Aerodynamics of Multimedia,” teenage Dominican prodigy Boundary warps deep house into a 6-minute lo-fi meditation, making us wonder if we were even capable of anything other than angst at the age of 17. –Isabelia Herrera

12

Jason Saldana - "ILY (on baby)" ft. Ego

https://soundcloud.com/jason-saldana/ily-on-baby-ft-ego-1?in=jason-saldana/sets/tearz

Chicago rapper Jason Saldana caught our attention earlier this year with devilishly charming single “Mexicanas From the Southside,” and he is now back with a new EP called Tearz that is swapping tongue-in-cheek humor for suave reggaeton romántico vibes. EP opener “ILY (on baby)” is a perfect first taste of this new direction, as Saldana pours his heart out to his girl, urgently professing his undying love on the hook. Some smooth bars from featured artist Ego come in on the bridge, complementing a timely tune about dudes giving up on fuckboi antics to do right by their partners. –Richard Villegas