Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes the new album from Chiquis, Thalia’s corrido with Estilo Sin Límite, and the surprise EP from Feid.
Also on the list: Daymé Arocena’s empowering disco-pop anthem, the debut EP from ex-CNCO singer Joel Deleōn, and Wisin’s reggaeton banger featuring Young Miko. Plus, the emergence of Mexican-American singer XAVI and Venezuelan pop star Carmen DeLeon.
Chiquis, “La Que Manda”
Chiquis is closing out the year with a new album. The Mexican-American superstar’s “Bee Side” LP is a continuation of last year’s “Abeja Reina.” The album includes her perreo electrónico hit “Ni Muerta” featuring Snow Tha Product. Chiquis continues to proudly represent banda music in the fierce “La Que Manda,” which was written by Carla Morrison. In the triumphant track, she sings about self-love and calling the shots in her Latin Grammy-winning career. “It is a project that reflects my growth and versatility as an artist and singer-songwriter,” Chiquis told LATINA. “[It’s] an album that reflects my essence, passion, and love for music.”
Thalia and Estilo Sin Límite, “Choro”
Thalia has officially entered her corridos tumbados era. The Mexican pop icon teamed up with Estilo Sin Límite, the musical project of Dania Ivana, for her new single “Choro.” In the fiery kiss-off track, Thalia and Ivana take turns singing about living better lives without their exes. The song will be included on her upcoming EP “A Mucha Honra,” which will be released next year. Back in May, Thalia talked about exploring corridos tumbados when she told LATINA, “I’m the number one fan of that genre. As a Mexican, imagine how I feel. I’m the original and authentic ‘Amor A La Mexicana!'”
Feid and Mañas Rufino, “La Vuelta”
Just in time for December, Feid gives his fans the Christmas gift of a new EP. In “Ferxxocalipsis,” the Colombian superstar blends his country’s hip-hop scene with the sentimental reggaeton that he’s known for. Feid teams up with two of the top rappers from his hometown of Medellín. Mañas Rufino joins him in the alluring reggaeton track “La Vuelta” and Jhay P drops in for the dreamy “Yo Ak.” Feid also highlights Pirlo, a rapper from Cali, in the hypnotic banger “Cual Es Esa.” Their collaboration is teeming with caleño slang.
Daymé Arocena, “American Boy”
Daymé Arocena is blazing a path for herself in Latin pop. The Cuban singer-songwriter moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico and she incorporated those Caribbean sounds into her music. With her new single “American Boy,” Arocena shows a different side to her artistry with the empowering disco-pop anthem. “You are supposed to clone and fuse yourself in order to conceal your Black or indigenous side,” she shared in a statement. “They told me I didn’t fit in that [pop] world, but I’m going to prove them wrong.” Arocena’s next album “Al-Kemi” will be released on February 23, 2024.
Joel Deleōn, “No Te Veo”
Joel Deleōn has officially made his debut as a solo artist. Over two years after leaving CNCO, the Mexican-American singer released his debut EP “Ahora Me Escuchan???” Deleōn mostly explores reggaeton across the six tracks, including in the buckwild “Yo-Shi” and in the perreo-ready song “Ponte.” He seamlessly brings together the worlds of pop and reggaeton in the otherworldly “No Te Veo.” About the message behind the EP, Deleōn told LATINA, “I want listeners to take the chance of being daring and doing something that people don’t know you for doing.”
Wisin and Young Miko, “Señorita”
A Puerto Rican reggaeton icon is teaming up with the future of the genre. Wisin joined forces with Young Miko for his new single “Señorita.” In the freaky reggaeton track, Wisin and Young Miko sing about women who are driving them wild in the club. It’s great to see one-half of Wisin y Yandel share his shine with one of his island’s biggest openly queer acts. “Miko is a talented artist that I admire and respect and she is doing incredible things within the genre,” Wisin shared in a statement.
XAVI, “La Diabla”
XAVI has become the next rising star in regional Mexican music to watch out for. The Mexican-American singer went viral this past year thanks to his breakthrough hit “La Víctima,” which amassed over 39 million views on YouTube. Now XAVI is following that up with the red-hot sierreño track “La Diabla.” Backed by what he has called his “tumbado romantico” sound, he sings about being enamored with a baddie at the party. XAVI is hard at work on his debut album that is due out next year through Interscope Records.
Carmen DeLeon, “Que Chimbo”
Carmen DeLeon is proudly representing her home country of Venezuela in her music. The rising Latin pop star released her new single, the breezy “Que Chimbo.” The title is Venezuelan slang that roughly translates to “nuisance” in English. Backed by reggaeton-infused rhythms, DeLeon sings about how she is much happier without her ex in her life. “My intention is to convey strength and encouragement to anyone who, for some reason, has experienced a romantic disappointment,” she told LATINA. “At that moment, I felt the energy to dance away from heartbreak and finally smile at life.”
Lucas Villa is a freelance music contributor for LATINA and his work is featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Teen Vogue, MTV News, and W Magazine.
