For many, 2012 marked a year of political turbulence, societal upheavals, change of consciousness, and maybe the coming of Quetzalcoatl. We also experienced three Friday the 13ths, a leap year, and a dude skydiving off the planet Earth. Many others still await the apocalypse (we might all be gone in three days, y’all). Point is, even if we had different experiences, we all had to grapple with what was in front of us, what our values are, and what media outlets we chose to engage in. At the end of the day, I can say with confidence that what we all have in common – no matter what language we speak – is the love of music. Over the course of 2012, we’ve engaged with and fallen in love with newly found genres, the works of up-and-coming artists, songs that spoke to our heart, and/or those that made us forget. The Remezcla Música team has come together to put together our 30 Best Songs of 2012. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did creating it and experiencing the music. Happy listening!
Hands down, this was the song I enjoyed playing the most on my DJ sets during 2012. The lyrics are hilarious, the beat is irresistible, the break-down is explosive… What the hell! There’s nothing I don’t like about this track. Okay, except for the fact that it wasn’t pressed on vinyl. I understand to some of you it must be a little too cryptic, but if it was just up to me, this was the biggest dance-floor hit of 2012. –Juan Data
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29. “☠ / ⚑ / ✞ (Sangre, Bandera, Cruz)”
by Los Macuanos
[Mexico]
It’s basically now winter and we’re getting über-shivery and turned on listening to this psycho sexual occult track. It seemed like some time since Tijuana’s wunderkind trio put together a tune that penetrated our minds with a political-esque theme, this one being about Mexico’s ex-president, Felipe Calderón. Los Macuanos are known to make music sound spooky yet meaningful, dissonant yet contagious. “Sangre, Bandera, Cruz” or if you prefer “☠ / ⚑ / ✞,” comes loaded with hauntingly dry vocals that sprout here and there making the track almost sound like gregorian chanting over the mostly instrumental tune. On a lighter note, it’s kind of reminiscent of the Mario Bros. classic videogame song – you know, the level where Mario’s fighting those cute, squishy, marshmallowy-looking ghosts. Bottom line: Los Macuanos nailed it once again. –Isabela Raygoza
I played this song a lot on my DJ sets in 2012 and I love the reactions I get from the crowd. Specially those non-Latinos who aren’t expecting it. I love seeing the faces of surprise on the gringos who instantly turn around and look at the DJ booth when Los Master Plus start dropping their hilarious verses in Spanish. It works every time. Besides, it doesn’t only work on the kitsch level, it actually makes the crowd dance. When I saw them doing it live it was explosive. If I had any doubts about this duo being absolute genius, this track dissipated it and I became their loyal fan. –Juan Data
The Wookies! Allow me to readjust my glasses, which are now askew thanks to my loud cheering for a Star Wars reference (a cheer made less triumphant by my knowledge that “Wookie” has an extra “e” at the end but that Señor Lucas would probably sue the pants [which Wookiees tend not to wear] off them.). “Disco Beach” is a relentless club track that you cannot not move to. It’s distinguished from an overcrowded field by its sheer singularity of purpose – there is no waiting for the beat to drop, no major bridges, and no matter what layers get placed on top of the rhythm, that rhythm never once speeds up or slows down. Put it on, turn your brain off, and bounce. –Matt Barbot
From their notorious techno brega bootlegs and covers, to their free spirits and open minds, Davi Sabbag, Mateus Carriho and CandyMell have established themselves as one of the coolest party bands of this day and age. Besides being a sexy queer collective of two handsome guys and a dazzling trans-lady, the trio has a boisterous spirit that is not afraid to have lots of fun – no exceptions. Why else live life? To borrow from the most ubiquitous 2012 catchphrase: YOLO. I think of these guys Á la Cyndi Lauper without excluding genders and sexes. We expect to hear more of Banda UÓ on this side of the continent, but for now, “Faz UÓ” definitely made this year a lot more pleasant. –Isabela Raygoza
As subsumed in electronic music as we can get – and, I mean, a lot of it is great – I have to confess the soft spot I’ll always have for people playing instruments (of the traditional variety) and singing over them. Ulises Hadjis scratches that itch, and his song “Dónde Va” is the kind of classic, sweet ode that’s easy to bop your head to while rooting for the singer in the game of love. It’s a simplicity that’s we can’t lose track of. –Matt Barbot
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24. “El Solitario”
by Bunbury feat. David Hidalgo
[Spain]
Bunbury has always been some kind of lone wolf, though now that we read his “Diary of a Drunkard,” I don’t know: things got a little strange. But strange is good, especially when it comes to a guy like Bunbury, who has been around for so long and has always been a little… well, off. He sails away from the Iberian Peninsula and picks up the Latin vibe with good results, really: a dark, catchy and rhythmical tune. I didn’t care much for his “costume” in the video, but you got to love the tinny Catrina singing on a vintage microphone and holding signs and heart-shaped balloons. Strange, but End-of-the-Word strange. And like I said: strange is good. –Salvador Olguín
“Retrovisor” is about moving on and not looking back. It obviously references some romantic break up, but it’s also a symbolically charged topic since the whole new album marked a stylistic departure from CéU‘s previous endeavours. Caravana Sereia Bloom was also conceived as a road trip collection of songs where each one represents a stop in CéU’s Latin American tour, “Retrovisor” being the first. I could keep going on about the meaning of it, and its tropicalia influences, but honestly, the main reason we selected this song is because we can’t help falling in love with her every time we listen to it. –Juan Data
The draw of this instantly catchy and enticing tune is its idealism – it inspires thoughts about the urgency of healing what’s broken around us –right before the unexpected becomes explosive if it’s rubbed the wrong way, like a molotov or a grenade. Musically and lyrically, Protistas gave an eye-opening and jaw-dropping delivery, as militant and musical healers. “Granada” is intelligent and thought-provoking. There is hope. –Isabela Raygoza
Granted: “Noreste Caliente” references almost every single stereotype there is about Regios: carne asada, fast trucks, hot morritas and lots of beer. But truth be told: así es como nos gusta. Hot as hell y un chingo de cerveza: with this song, A Band of Bitches leads the way to the last party before the End of the World, Noreste-style. Just like Monterrey, this track is fast, tough, dirty, and did I mention it was hot? Doesn’t matter: there’s plenty of beer. There’s a beat. Metales, guitarra. Yes: that’s Jonas from Plastilina Mosh behind Ushka’s mask. Where’s the party, you say? Hasta mero arriba, a la derecha compadrito! You can’t miss it. –Salvador Olguín
20. “Festival de las Luces”
by Mueran Humanos
[Argentina / Germany]
Ah! Mueran Humanos‘ “Festival de las Luces” has hit our best of list because this entrancing experimental pop track is laced with the darkwave vibe that we know and love from MH, but it’s also an upbeat dance track that would kill at any New Year Eve party. “Festival de las Luces” creates a sexy atmospheric sound that is incredibly tough to deny. Never underestimate the power of Mueran Humanos’ ability to disturb you and make you move your hips at the same time. –Jordannah Elizabeth
Now, despite whatever ill will you might hold for that appropriating colonizer Diplo with all his devilish good looks and apt ear for hot and hard beats, we’re all pretty happy that Bonde do Rolê has joined Mad Decent’s ranks. They deserve it. Since their debut with Domino Records in 2006, and their ascent up the mountain with Rolling Stones’ predatory instincts helping lift this zany trio to lofty heights, this band has proved they aren’t only the remix masters, but they can mix up a mean fruit salad too. -José Luis Benavides
Pontiacs’ heavy psych-shoegaze rock anthem, “Slow Motion” has made this “Best Of” simply for the fact that this track is powerful, in your face, and addictive to listen to. It is not easy to create a heavy psych album that has both a very strong intro track, and never slows down its momentum. Pontiac’s Bursting is one of the few to pull it off. “Slow Motion” is reminiscent of The Doors’ Morrison Hotel, and is sprinkled with the “don’t give a damn” attitude of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This track is an addictive straight up rock & roll song that’s going to stay in rotation on many psych enthusiasts’ playlists for years to come. –Jordannah Elizabeth
This right here is the go-to, cheer-you-up song of 2012. Did your paycheck arrive late? Did your puppy run away? Did your tire go flat on your way to visit a loved one? Or did you loose your unlimited metro card? Pop this one in your audio player and all those worries and anxieties will float away during this 3:30 anthem of indie-pop perfection. Also, the ’80s era The Cure-style riffs and keyboards á la “Love Song” certainly don’t hurt. –Afroxander
Let it be. Let Madeline Monroe be your platonic love. Why? Because you don’t want romance, you just wanna dance. That’s the main premise of this dance-floor friendly and contagious track. No doubt, Foglia crafted a sexy, care-free, and super fun track with a Miami Vice feel that makes us forget about our worries and have some good ol’ fun with a lovely damsel to admire. Isabela Raygoza
For further proof that ’80s music never really died, check out Linda Mirada’s “Secundario,” which actually captures more than just that era. And no, we’re not talking about the ’80s over-the-top, glittery bubblegum sounds that were mostly listened to by girls rocking crazy hair styles in their thigh-high socks. It’s actually really infectious. I wouldn’t be surprised if I looked up the meaning of the word “catchy” in the dictionary and this song started playing. –Afroxander
Everybody loves ironic cumbia covers, and what’s more ironic than “iron man,” or in this case “I Ron Man”? After doing cumbia versions of Michael Jackson, Queen and a who’s who of golden age hip-hop, Quantic went for the classic of all classics of heavy metal in his ambitious collaboration with Colombia’s Frente Cumbiero. It’s not, however, the first time the landmark Black Sabbath riff becomes a tongue-in-cheek cumbia; on their debut album Kumbia Queers had turned it into “Chica del Metal” five years earlier. But this new version, with all the funky percussion and the hilarious chorus, is the definitive, ultimate, all time metal cumbia cover. –Juan Data
This song is sour and melancholic, but also in-your-face and unapologetic. The video is raw, with a kind of DIY look. 2012 was a year of worldwide social turmoil. Mexico had its share of chaos. The last year of President Calderón’s War on Drugs was also an election year when the country decided to give power back to the party that ruled for 70 years during the 20th century. Tainted presidential elections, widespread protest, and the failure of the War on Drugs: Camilo Lara managed to condense the Mexican rage of 2012 into a song, without departing from his mellow, neo-retro style. I wasn’t impressed when it came out, but it has definitely grown on me. –Salvador Olguín
Leaving aside for a moment the incredible video (and its accompanying video for “Patient”), Twin Shadow’s retro-synth provides — in the wake of Drive’s box office success — a welcome return to the earnest-lyrics-over-sick-beats of yesteryear. “Five Seconds” is the epitome of driving ’80s movie anthems, and its release thirty years too late makes it a unique addition to this list that I can’t get out of my head. –Matt Barbot
Another band from Monterrey makes its way into this list, with a little help from their very nude, female, hot and kinky friend. Let’s face it: this girl is the body and soul of Kinky’s video for “Inmóvil” –more like the body, really, but that’s more than enough. The song is pure Kinky: a catchy chorus, a techno beat and spacey lyrics about artificially altered states of consciousness produced by everyday experiences like floating, turning your head, opening a jar or standing still: these are all of the ingredients you need for a nice cocktail of Regio electronica. And to be honest, Kinky does it very well. –Salvador Olguín
Hippies tried to make the world a better place and somehow it backfired and they turned heaven into hell, or at least that’s kind of the premise of this song. Babasónicos‘ new release of 2012 is actually not new, this one and ten more songs had been originally recorded as part of the ground-breaking Jessico (first great album of the century?), back in 2001, but these tracks were never published or even played live until eleven years later when they finally saw the light of day under the title of Carolo in Argentina, or Jessico Carolo (edición delux) for international iTunes shoppers. –Juan Data
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9. “Amor, Amor de mis Amores”
by Natalia Lafourcade feat. Devendra Banhart
[Mexico]
Natalia Lafourcade teams up with that once-upon-a-time heart throb and indie darling, Devandra Banhart on a light and uplifting duet that reminds us to breathe and love equally. We are human and there’s no escaping, no cure, no way to keep the hope down. Fill your lungs with wishful thinking, your thoughts with warm, gooey intentions and bake yourself some holiday cheer. Love of my loves, if you don’t already have a sweetheart waiting to cuddle with you at home, this one’s just around the corner. We promise. Her recent album Mujer Divina, an homage to Agustín Lara, is, to put it plainly, quite divine. -José Luis Benavides
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8. “De Este Lado Del Camino”
by Café Tacvba
[Mexico]
Undergoing an eclectic transformation with every release, Café Tacvba never seizes to amaze me. From bolero playing paisanos to electro-rock/punk masterminds, they’re still the ultimate band after a 20+ year career. Since their last album Sino five years ago, they finally came together in 2012 to release El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco. Its first single, “De Este Lado Del Camino,” says it all: the band’s evolution from lyrical confessions to a heartfelt delivery with lyrics and instrumentation. Overall, the track is mildly-melancholic and lyrically introspective, reflecting the maturation of this legendary quartet. It gives us the chills. –Isabela Raygoza
The first time I met our Remezcla music editor in person was at SXSW this past year. Amid the chaos of a city erupting in musical splendor, there was one small place that gathered the best Latin American acts under one roof. That night, the biggest surprise for us was Monsieur Periné. The small crowd was itching to get up close to the band, to shake down to that cooky Colombian swing, those french trilling sounds mixed with cumbia, bossa nova and so much more. This song is an anthem to creative freedom, a sheer delight. -José Luis Benavides
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6. “El Alma y el Cuerpo”
by Bomba Estéreo
[Colombia]
Bomba Estéreo in “El Alma y el Cuerpo” lures us into vivid Caribbean landscapes where everything feels steady and syrupy over a speedy and sultry beat. It gives us the feeling of eating a frosty vanilla sunday with hot blackberry fudge on a humid but gorgeous day on the coast of the Caribbean, to satisfy our sweet craving while cooling off the burning inside. The now quartet Colombian band outshone themselves once again in this first single off their recent release, and therefore, quenched our thirst for true tropical elegance. –Isabela Raygoza
Tucked away in the rustic confines of Sonic Ranch studios in the states, Hello Seahorse! hid out for 6 weeks in the pecan orchards of west Texas. The esteemed recording complex, noted as one of the world’s largest, has been home to the creation of countless Motown record artists as well as contemporary artists like Enrique Bunbury, At the Drive-In, Zoé, Plastilina Mosh, Girl in Coma and many many more. With that kind of history, it’s no wonder Hello Seahorse! put together such a marvelous album this year, Arumina. This track delivers all the goods. With that quintessential easy-flexing musical muscle, Denise is a well oiled machine. Her vocals spill over this suave dance track like butter on a warm biscuit. She makes it seem so easy, but we know she’s working hard, and Hello Seahorse! even harder. -José Luis Benavides
In the words of the grand sir Plato, “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” Carla Morrison definitely came a long way since her departure from her first indie-rock band Babaluca and has matured into a remarkable young poet. Besides gaining recognition throughout Latin America and beyond, including two Latin Grammys, Ms. Morrison clearly showed us all the depths of her songwriting skills, accompanied by the dolce timber of her voice. This song almost makes me shed a tear, it penetrates my skin. “Hasta La Piel” is about being eager to love again and not being afraid to choose the one you love, even if your family prefers that clean cut conservative person. But you say, NO! And go for the artsy looking dude instead ’cause he’s cooler and definitely more interesting. All in all, it’s a truly gorgeous, romantic polka ballad about love and heartbreak, and the radiant things it inspires. –Isabela Raygoza
The worst turned out to be true and this is, in fact, this amazing trio’s final single. Thankfully, composer/singer Andrea Balency will continue working solo so it’s not a huge loss. Hopefully, she’ll continue to write songs like this one: hypnotic combinations of classical, pop, and jazz centered around Balency’s beautiful voice. –Afroxander
Mexicali’s balladeer Juan Cirerol has no boundaries. Taking on a ranchera/norteña mantle by singing Mexican songs in traditional form, his performing aesthetics are charged with punk rock and corrido swagger. For this and many other reasons, Cirerol not only resurrects the music of our Mexican ancestors, but becomes one of the most promising and rising, modern “alt-norteño” artists of today, a term coined by our contributing writer. With Haciendo Leña and several singles under his buckle, his work contains interesting contemporary narratives and lyricism; after all, he’s dubbed “El poeta del pueblo” for a reason. If this track gives you goosebumps, you probably have no idea what awaits you when you see Cirerol live, if you haven’t done so yet. I’ll call him the cruel one for getting me addicted to his music, but that’s not a bad thing. We assure you, you’ll be hearing a lot more modern norteñas very soon by others thanks to this guy paving the way. –Isabela Raygoza
You fall asleep with wishful thinking. You pray that your morning will be filled with rays of sunlight to feed your wandering jew plant, and you hope that somehow this new day will be as clear as fine ice. Your gut longs for that toothy smile again. But instead, you realize that you’re in the middle of a thick hazy cloud, and your fingertips feel a bit numb. Still, you try to shake it off and strive to see beyond the black smog. For a split second, you stop to think, “How did I even get here in the first place?” “How did I let it become this way?” As the song keeps progressing, and night takes over again, you surround yourself with lost souls who yearn for bodily affection. The music blasts louder, and the synths and percussion go into that break, and they entice you with their glorious arrangements. The music swerves all over your mind, body, and soul, until all is forgotten. When, thereafter, you regain consciousness, and look at the first gorgeous pair of almond eyes, she says to you with a familiar voice, “Esto es la flotadera.” –Isabela Raygoza
