Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features Bad Bunny’s new album “Un Verano Sin Ti” and Carla Morrison’s return to music with “El Renacimiento.”
Also on the list, Dominican-Italian singer Yendry dabbles in dembow in “Ki-Ki”, Mexican artist Girl Ultra pushes Latin R&B forward in “El Sur” and Belinda makes a comeback with “Eden.” Mexican-American pop princess Becky G goes sierreño in “Ya Acabó” and Latin girl group Bella Dose breaks out with “Bite.” Check out the list below.
Bad Bunny, “Un Verano Sin Ti“
Get ready for another sad boy summer with Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar released his hotly-anticipated album “Un Verano Sin Ti.” On this latest LP, his emo reggaeton sounds are sun-kissed. It’s a whopping 23 songs to tide over Bad Bunny’s fans until his World Hottest Tour 2022 this summer. In “Tarot,” he regrouped with “Dákiti” collaborator Jhay Cortez for another captivating and mystical track. El Conejo Malo also joined forces with Rauw “El Zorro” Alejandro for the alluring banger “Party.” It’s a match made in Boricua reggaeton heaven. The exciting moments are when Bad Bunny goes alternative on the album. He embraces a rock music edge in “Otro Atardacer“ with The Marías and “Ojitos Lindos“ with Bomba Estéreo is his most colorful reggaeton bop yet. Bad Bunny can still hold it down on his own, which he makes clear in the refreshing “Moscow Mule.” He is continuing to bring the heat to Latin music.
Carla Morrison, “El Renacimiento”
Carla Morrison is back with her new album “El Renacimiento.” The Mexican singer tackles more of a Latin pop sound with her timeless voice across 11 songs. About the LP, she said in a statement, “[It’s] my most personal album yet. My other albums focused on my relationship with others. This one focuses on my relationship with myself. It’s as of now, the place where I live now. I shine bright. I’m in love and I’m content with my darkness and my light.” Morrison shines the brightest in the synth-pop delight “Diamantes.” Her ballads like “Divino“ and the soaring “Soñar“ are gorgeous. The musical rebirth demonstrated on this album is stunning.
Yendry, “Ki-Ki”
Yendry’s star continues to rise. The Dominican-Italian singer had a breakout year with global collaborations that reflect her multicultural sound. She teamed up with Colombian superstar J Balvin for “Instinto,” Damian Marley for their duet “You” and Congolese-Belgian artist for the alluring “Mascarade.” In her new single “Ki-Ki,” Yendry goes it alone and embraces the dembow bounce of her Dominican roots. The feel good song lives up to its name as Yendry gets the party started. “It’s la jefa that calls you over,” she sings in Spanish. In the music video, Yendry brings the party to life with a celebration in the street. She continues to keep Latin music exciting with her fresh fusions.
Belinda, “Eden”
Belinda has returned to acting and music, and she’s marking the occasion in a big way. The Spanish pop star made her Netflix debut in the new series “Bienvenidos a Edén” (“Welcome To Eden”) that’s now streaming. She plays the character África who is invited to the island of Eden to build a new society with other social media influencers. Belinda also wrote two new songs for the series. With the show’s launch, she released her new single “Eden.” In the theme song, she takes on a more cinematic sound. Backed by piano and heavy percussion, Belinda details her search to find paradise. “I’m so lost ’cause you’re all that I’m looking for,” she sings. Belinda belts her heart out in this breathtaking and spellbinding ballad. About who she would want to work with next, Belinda told Latina, “I would love to collaborate with [Coldplay’s] Chris Martin. I love Pharrell. Julia Michaels too. She’s great! I would love to work with her.”
Girl Ultra, “El Sur”
Girl Ultra is a leader in the Latin R&B movement in Mexico. The Mexican singer-songwriter pushes the genre to new places on her new EP “El Sur.” Talking about the seven-track release, she told LATINA, “The origin of this album really came from the desire to diversify genres and expand Girl Ultra beyond just R&B.” The EP reflects Girl Ultra’s life growing up in the south of Mexico City where the music scene is more diversified. In the dreamy “Amores de Droga,” her soulful voice soars over house music beats. She tackles a pop-punk sound in the aptly-titled “Punk” with Mexican act Little Jesus. Girl Ultra’s musical evolution is incredible to witness and listen to. Her U.S. tour kicks off next week in Texas.
Marca MP & Becky G, “Ya Acabó”
Becky G is embracing her Mexican roots on her latest release. She teamed up with Mexican-American group Marca MP for a new version of their song “Ya Acabó.” The original version was one of the biggest regional Mexican music hits of last year with a music video that amassed over 186 million views on YouTube. Becky G is tackling sierreño music for the first time by adding her sweet vocals to the heartbreaking ballad. She trades verses with Marca PM’s lead singer Pedro Vargas as they reminisce about the good times with their old flames. The song deals with the end of a relationship, but hopefully this marks the beginning of Becky G’s relationship with sierreño music. Her new album “Esquemas” will be released on May 13.
Bella Dose, “Bite”
Bella Dose is the world’s first bilingual girl group. The quartet that consists of members Melany Rivera, Brianna Leah, Jenni Hernández and Thais Rodriguez has built a following on TikTok with their singing and choreography videos. Bella Dose received a big boost last year when they teamed up with Dominican-American singer DaniLeigh for the bachata-infused “Luna.” DaniLeigh is the real-life big sister of Brianna. In their new single “Bite,” Bella Dose lets loose over a unique blend of trap beats with a pop-punk edge. The ladies boast about bringing all the men to the yard with their fierce swagger. The music video for the girl power anthem was inspired by the movie “Jennifer’s Body” that starred Megan Fox. Bella Dose rules the high school halls with sharpened fangs.
