Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features the return of Natalia Lafourcade, a new EP from Silvana Estrada, and the revival of one of Mariah Carey’s classics with Brandy.
Also on the list: Kany García teams up with Christian Nodal and Rauw Alejandro revisits a reggaeton classic. Plus, Kim Loaiza shines on Ovi’s “Después de las 12” remix, Carlos Rivera champions love, and ICON kicks off a new era.
Kany García and Christian Nodal, “La Siguiente”
In her new single “La Siguiente,” Kany García experiments with regional Mexican music for the first time. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter teamed up with Mexican singer Christian Nodal. Backed by a ranchera band with a bit of a tropical twist, García sings about feeling underappreciated in a relationship while Nodal tries to smooth things over. By the end of the breathtaking ballad, García lets it be known that she’s moved on to better things. About working with Nodal, García told LATINA, “This song was born to be a duet, because it is a conversation between the couple, and it was always clear to me that the voice was Christian Nodal, who has a magical voice with a unique feeling. I wanted him to feel that the song was also his, that it had elements of his DNA and that he also put his own stamp on it.”
Mariah Carey and Brandy, “The Roof”
This month Mariah Carey celebrates the 25th anniversary of her iconic album “Butterfly.” In honor of the occasion, our favorite pop icon of Venezuelan descent released an expanded version of the LP that includes a new version of her sultry R&B banger “The Roof,” featuring Brandy.. “‘The Roof’ Is one of my favorite songs from ‘Butterfly,’ so when we decided to redo it in The Butterfly Lounge, I had to ask one of my favorite singers ever, Miss Brandy,” Carey wrote on Twitter. Brandy breathes new life into the track as she harmonizes with Carey. A quarter of a century later and “The Roof” still holds up as one of Carey’s most underrated jams.
Natalia Lafourcade, “De Todas Las Flores”
Natalia Lafourcade is back with her new single “De Todas Las Flores.” While she spent the past few albums celebrating the music of Mexico and Latin American, the haunting ballad marks her return to original material. Backed by piano and an electric guitar, Lafourcade mourns the lingering memories of a past relationship. About the song’s inspiration, she told LATINA, “I wrote it in 2018, after a romantic breakup. A relationship that began with passion and fireworks, then deteriorated into agony and self-destruction. Sometimes we must experience such moments in order to understand that love is more closely linked to the relationship we honor with our own selves.” Her album, also titled “De Todas Las Flores,” will be released on Oct. 28.
Silvana Estrada, “Abrazo”
Last week, Silvana Estrada released her new EP “Abrazo.” The EP is comprised of songs that didn’t make her critically-acclaimed album “Marchita” as well as tracks she created afterwards. The Mexican singer-songwriter also released the music video for her soulful ballad “Aquí.” Backed by piano, Estrada sings about being present and embracing the beauty of living. The breezy “Brindo,” which is also on the EP, touched on a similar theme of appreciating all life’s moments. Reflecting on the song’s inspiration, she told LATINA last month, “I needed a song that encompasses the feeling that floods me every time I think about my path and my work. The idea of creating human connections through music.” This week, Estrada received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2022 Latin GRAMMY Awards.
Ovi, Kim Loaiza, Pailita and Grupo Firme, “Después de las 12” Remix
Ovi added more stars to the remix of his hit “Después de las 12.” The Cuban-born corridos tumbados star originally released the song back in February as a duet with Mexican pop star Kim Loaiza. Now Chilean singer Pailita, who is known for featuring in Polimá Westcoast’s hit “Ultra Solo,” and Mexican band Grupo Firme are in the mix. The rock-infused reggaeton banger is even more electrifying in the remix. Loaiza is alluring as ever while Pailita and Grupo Firme’s Eduin Caz add an emo edge to Ovi’s anthem. The “Después de las 12” remix will be Ovi’s upcoming album “El Asere de Aseres.”
Rauw Alejandro and Baby Rasta, “Punto 40”
Rauw Alejandro has released the first taste of his upcoming album “Saturno.” For his new single “Punto 40,” the Puerto Rican superstar teamed up with reggaeton pioneer Baby Rasta. The song is a re-imagined version of Baby Rasta’s song of the same name with Gringo. Alongside Baby Rasta, Alejandro puts a new club-ready spin on the track that accentuates his slick charm. “Punto 40” is a sexy reggaeton banger that Alejandro will surely bust a move to on his next tour. Alejandro’s “Saturno” album will be released in November. His EP “Trap Cake Vol. 2” was nominated for Best Urban Album at the 2022 Latin GRAMMY Awards.
Carlos Rivera, “Digan Lo Que Digan”
Mexican heartthrob Carlos Rivera is back with his new single “Digan Lo Que Digan.” In the past few months, he has gone through highs in his life with his marriage to Cynthia Rodríguez and lows with the passing of his father last month. In his empowering ballad, Rivera sings about love prevailing through any difficulties along the way. In Spanish, he belts outs, “Whatever they say / What you and I have, they wouldn’t understand / We won’t waste time explaining.” This heartfelt song can also double as an anthem for LGBTQ+ community, for which Rivera has shown support in the past. During a trying time in his life, he continues to champion love with this triumphant track.
ICON, Beéle and Rios, “Enchule”
ICON is back with the new single “Enchule.” The duo is comprised of Colombian producers Andres “Rolo” Restrepo and Johan “Jowan” Espinosa; both have produced hits for artists like J Balvin, Feid, Nicky Jam, and Thalía. Now, ICON has signed with Warner Music and marks their new era with “Enchule,” teaming up with fellow Colombian singer Beéle and rising Puerto Rican artist Rios. ICON blends Afrobeats with elements of reggaeton music. Beéle and Rios take turns serenading their crushes with loving lyrics. Beéle gives the collaboration a sultry touch while Rios slides in with his slick guest verse. ICON’s alluring love song is irresistible.
Jessie Reyez, “Yessie”
Jessie Reyez has returned with her new album “Yessie.” The Colombian-Canadian singer first previewed the LP with her fiery lead single “Fraud.” She followed that up with the haunting kiss-off track “Mutual Friend.” A standout on the album is alluring “Forever” with R&B singer 6LACK where the two artists sing about the push and pull of a relationship. Reyez is captivating alongside 6LACK’s slick rhymes. In the soulful “Adiós Amor,” she embraces her Latina roots by telling a toxic lover goodbye in Spanish and English. In the atmospheric “Mood,” Reyez reflects on her journey to get to this high point in her career over a sample of the classic “Los Caminos de la Vida.” The “Yessie” album is Reyez’s finest moment that beautifully accentuates her authenticity as an artist.
Becky G and Dáviles de Novelda, “Amantes”
Becky G is experimenting with the bachata genre for the first time in “Amantes.” The Mexican-American pop star teamed up with Spanish rapper Dáviles de Novelda. As a Latina that embraces her bicultural upbringing in her songs, Becky G is always creating interesting musical fusions and this one is no different. In “Amantes,” she blends the bachata rhythm with trap beats and a flamenco influence courtesy of de Novelda. The two artists trade verses about rekindling a relationship as lovers. Becky G makes a pretty convincing case with this alluring love song. “Amantes” marks her first new single since the release of her album “Esquemas,” which featured the hits “Mamiii” with Karol G and “Bailé Con Mi Ex.”
ANGEL22, “Para Ti No”
ANGEL22 is an emerging all-Latina girl group. The band includes Brazil’s Sofia Oliveira, Colombia’s Laura Buitrago, Cuba’s Wendii Sarmiento, and Alondra Martinez, who has roots in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In 2019, the group first formed as V5 in the U.K.’s “X-Factor: Celebrity” contest. Now as ANGEL22, the quartet has continued to win fans with each new release; most recently, they wrote “Para Ti No” with Venezuelan-American hit-maker Elena Rose. In the R&B-infused ballad with a light dembow beat, the women sing about letting go of toxic relationships in Spanish and Portuguese. ANGEL22 sounds absolutely heavenly in this beautiful ode to moving on.
Camilo and Camila Cabello, “Ambulancia”
This month, Camilo released his new album “De Adentro Pa Fuera.” The Colombian singer-songwriter said the adventurous LP was influenced by the birth of his daughter, Indigo, who arrived in April. “[Indigo] was in [my wife] Evaluna’s belly while I was writing the songs, creating the first melodies, and feeling the lyrics,” he told LATINA, “A lot of the inspiration comes from the fact that we were waiting for her. She’s most of close to every little corner of this album in the purest way.” Among the standouts are “Ambulancia” with Cuban-Mexican pop star Camila Cabello. Backed by a seductive bachata rhythm, the two singers trade verses about a romance that burns up the bedroom. With Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers, Camilo sings about drinking heartbreak away in the dreamy “Bebiendo Sola.” The hypnotic “Naturaleza” with Nicki Nicole is Camilo’s empowering anthem about embracing who you are.
Chris Jedi, Young Miko and Lunay, “Condado”
Chris Jedi brought together two of Puerto Rico’s hottest acts, Lunay and Young Miko, for his new single “Condado.” The Puerto Rican producer is known for helping create multiple hits like Ozuna’s “Farsante,” Lunay’s “Soltera,” and Rosalía’s “Despechá.” Jedi regrouped with Lunay and rising rapper Young Miko for his tribute to Puerto Rico’s Condado neighborhood. Not only is Jedi a producer, but he also sings the first few lines of the enchanting track. Lunay comes through with his signature seductive touch that’s rounded out by Young Miko’s slick and swaggering flow. Jedi makes this dream collaboration between Lunay and Young Miko all the more alluring.
Tiago PZK and TINI, “El Último Beso”
Tiago PZK is continuing to make strides in the Latin music industry from Argentina. The singer-songwriter teamed up with fellow Argentine pop star TINI for his new single “El Último Beso.” Tiago PZK seamlessly blends a reggaeton rhythm with trap beats and a punch of alternative rock, trading verses with TINI about a relationship that never advanced beyond the stage of lovers. The sting of that realization is palpable in both their heartfelt performances. “El Último Beso” is a beautiful “baby come back” anthem. Tiago PZK released his breakthrough album “Portales” back in July. In November, his Portales Tour will visit Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
Feid, “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos El Álbum”
Though his album was scheduled to come out in December, Feid ended up releasing it this week after it was leaked online. “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos El Álbum” features all of the Colombian singer-songwriter’s recent hits like “Normal” and the deep house banger “Nieve.” Among the new songs, the standout is Feid’s collaboration with Puerto Rican icon Yandel. The two artists teamed up for the alluring “XQ Te Pones Así.” Yandel finds himself at home in Feid’s sentimental reggaeton sound. Feid turns up the heat with his longtime producer Sky in the sexy “Quemando Calorías.” Despite the album leak, Feid promised to release a completely new project on Dec. 1 of this year.
Rosalía and Chencho Corleone, “Candy” Remix
Rosalía released a deluxe edition of her latest album “MOTOMAMI.” The upgraded LP features the Spanish pop star’s global hit “Despechá” where she embraced merengue beats while shaking off a broken heart in the club. The standout among the new tracks is the remix of “Candy” with Chencho Corleone. Corleone, the ex-Plan B rapper has had a career resurgence this past year, appearing on hits like Bad Bunny’s “Me Porto Bonito” and Rauw Alejandro’s “Desesperados.” Now, he adds extra allure to Rosalía’s twinkling track. Corleone makes “Candy” even more irresistible with his throwback perreo touch.
