Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes the new albums from Bad Bunny, Mexican reggaeton star Yng Lvcas, and Chilean singer Denise Rosenthal.
Also on the list: Ice Spice dabbles in Afrobeats with Rema, Tainy’s electrifying collaboration with Young Miko and J Balvin, and Ivy Queen’s must-see Tiny Desk concert. Plus, Mon Laferte’s empowering anthem and Nicole Zignago’s dreamy love song.
Bad Bunny, “Monaco”
Bad Bunny is back with a new album! The Puerto Rican superstar returns to his Latin trap roots in “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana.” In the braggadocious banger “Monaco,” Bad Bunny compares himself to soccer icons Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. He appears to address his relationship with Kendall Jenner in the sleek “Fina” featuring Young Miko. “They wonder how we communicate / Maybe it’s best not to tell them,” Bad Bunny sings. There’s a few reggaeton songs on the LP like the alluring “Perro Negro” featuring Feid and a knockout drill collaboration, “Thunder y Lightning,” with Eladio Carrión.
Ice Spice and Rema, “Pretty Girl”
Ice Spice is the breakout artist of the year. The Dominican-American rapper has scored hits like “Barbie World” with Nicki Minaj and “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress. Ice Spice is keeping the momentum going while pushing the drill rap scene forward in her new single “Pretty Girl.” She blends the genre with elements of Afrobeats alongside Nigerian superstar Rema. “Lookin’ at you got my eyes wide, damn,” she sings. Ice Spice and Rema come through with ethereal and captivating collaboration. Over the weekend, she performed “Pretty Girl” and “In Ma Hood” on “Saturday Night Live.”
Ivy Queen on NPR’s Tiny Desk
Ivy Queen shined during her NPR Tiny Desk concert. The Puerto Rican icon performed her biggest hits with new arrangements during the intimate performance. Ivy Queen looked fabulous in a purple gown as she belted her songs with heart. She noted that the message of her women empowerment anthems like “La Vida Es Así” and “Menor Que Yo” are still as relevant and meaningful as when she first wrote them. Ivy Queen wrapped her incredible set with “Yo Quiero Bailar,” the song that opened the doors for many women to thrive in the reggaeton scene following her breakthrough.
Tainy, J Balvin, Young Miko, and Jowell y Randy, “Colmillo”
Tainy released one of the biggest albums of the year with “Data.” The Puerto Rican producer closes out the project with his new single “Colmillo” featuring J Balvin, Young Miko, and Jowell y Randy. Tainy pushes reggaeton forward with elements of house music blended in the mix. J Balvin and Young Miko take turns singing about getting freaky with their lovers. Towards the end, the song erupts into a perreo intenso moment with Jowell y Randy. Tainy’s “Colmillo” packs plenty of bite and proves the future of reggaeton is limitless in his eyes.
Yng Lvcas, Mont Pantoja, Ingratax, Emjay, Akasha, and Lexy Walter, “Cypher Morras”
Yng Lvcas put reggaeton from Mexico in a global spotlight thanks to his breakthrough hit “La Bebe” remix with Peso Pluma. For his debut album “Super Estrellas,” the rising Mexican star teamed up with 17 reggaeton artists from his country. For the freaky “Perreando Triste,” Yng Lvcas joined forces with El Malilla, El Bogueto, and Uzielito Mix. He also highlights the Mexican women in the genre in the fierce “Cypher Morras,” which includes Mont Pantoja, Ingratax, Emjay, Akasha, and Lexy Walter. “I sing in that song, but at the end, because I want to show people that Mexican women can make reggaeton too,” he told LATINA.
Denise Rosenthal and Snow Tha Product, “Naughty Girl”
Denise Rosenthal has returned with her new album “Supernova.” The Chilean singer previewed the LP earlier this year with the hyperpop bop “Sugar Mami” featuring Mexican pop star Danna Paola. Now Rosenthal is joining forces with Mexican-American rapper Snow Tha Product for the sultry “Naughty Girl.” In the trap-infused pop track, Rosenthal sings about how she brings all the boys to the yard while Snow Tha Product, who is openly bisexual, boasts about women. “Love you Snow,” Rosenthal wrote on Instagram. “You are what this song was missing.”
Mon Laferte, “40 y MM”
Mon Laferte is pushing her alternative sound to new places. The Chilean singer-songwriter previously teased her return to music with the cumbia-infused “Te Juro Que Volveré” and the towering “Tenochtitlán.” Now Laferte is embracing trip-hop beats in her new single “40 y MM.” In the empowering song, she sings about living life even louder at her age. “It’s a declaration of principles,” Laferte shared in a statement. “It’s like self-love. I’m 40 years old and feel amazing. It feels good to me to reach this age.” The song will be included on her album “Autopoiética,” which will be released on November 10.
Nicole Zignago, “Bubble Gum”
Nicole Zignago is breaking out. The Peruvian singer-songwriter has previously co-written hits like Sofia Reyes’ “1, 2, 3” and “Casualidad.” Last year, Zignago launched her career as an artist with the “Así Me Siento Hoy” EP, which garnered her a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. In her dreamy single “Bubble Gum,” she sings about getting intimate with a woman who has captured her attention. “This is going to be the sapphic anthem that I feel we need,” Zignago, who is openly queer, wrote on Instagram. “I love being able to make honest and fun music.”
Lucas Villa is a freelance music contributor for LATINA. His work is also featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Teen Vogue, MTV News and W Magazine.
