Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features Demi Lovato’s “29” that’s making waves online, the hotly anticipated collaboration between Anitta and Missy Elliot, and beautiful songs by Mexican singers Julieta Venegas and Silvana Estrada.
Also on the list: Nicole Zignago steps out with Sofía Reyes, and Colombian singer Feid celebrates his birthday. Plus, Victoria La Mala teams up with Selena’s band members and Camilo goes banda with Grupo Firme.
Demi Lovato, “29”
Demi Lovato has returned with her new album “Holy Fvck.” (This month, she started using she/her pronouns in addition to they/them.) With the release of the LP, she also dropped a lyric video for her latest single, “29.” Lovato returns to her pop-rock roots while singing about a relationship with a wide age gap. The telling lyrics perhaps allude to how Lovato met her ex Wilmer Valderrama at age 17 when he was 29. The couple didn’t start dating until Lovato was 18. “Finally 29, funny just like you were at the time,” Lovato belts out. The striking power ballad has started conversations on TikTok about grooming in relationships. Over a decade into her music career, Lovato proves she can still strike a chord with her words while singing her heart out as no one else can.
Julieta Venegas, “En Tu Orilla”
Julieta Venegas continues her rollout of new singles with “En Tu Orilla.” Earlier this year, the Mexican singer-songwriter returned with the funky “Mismo Amor.” She then followed up with the haunting “Caminar Solo.” At first, “En Tu Orilla” was a cumbia-influenced song that producer Álex Anwandter transformed into a stunning synth-pop track. Venegas’ sweet love song was inspired by the poem “Guárdame En Ti” by Chilean writer Raúl Zurita. Anwandter’s electronic touch adds a fresh feel to the song, while the accordion brings a timeless sound. The music video was shot in Bueno Aires by Carmen Rivoira. On creating the video, Venegas told LATINA, “I really like that water, the moon, and nature are present in the video. I think it gives it a lot of magic, and it makes me think of la orilla, of that person who I ask in the song to let me stay there forever.”
Anitta and Missy Elliott, “Lobby”
The long-awaited Anitta and Missy Elliott collaboration is finally here! The Brazilian superstar began teasing her “Versions of Me” deluxe edition album earlier this month with music videos for “Gata” and “El Que Espera” featuring Maluma. She saved the best for last with “Lobby” featuring Elliott. Anitta embraces a funky disco-pop sound as she sings about a hot-and-heavy romance. Elliott slides in at the halfway point and turns up the heat with her freaky guest verse. The alluring “Lobby” proves that Anitta can raise the roof in any language. As for collaborating with Elliott, Anitta told LATINA, “Missy was a big surprise! She’s like, wow! A queen! Such a humble person. I loved it.”
Silvana Estrada, “Brindo”
Silvana Estrada is having a breakthrough year thanks to her album “Marchita.” The Mexican singer-songwriter maintains the momentum with her upcoming EP “Abrazo.” The EP both contains songs recorded during the “Marchita” sessions and newly-recorded tracks. Estrada is teasing the EP with her new single, “Brindo.” Backed by the gentle strumming of her guitar, the artist raises a glass to the beauty of life. As for her inspiration for the heartfelt ballad, she told LATINA, “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.” The “Abrazo” EP will release on Sept. 21. Around that same time, her tour will touch down in the U.S.
Nicole Zignago and Sofía Reyes, “Corazón Frío”
Nicole Zignago is stepping in as an artist alongside Sofia Reyes, with whom she previously wrote several hit songs. The Peruvian singer-songwriter teamed up with Reyes for her new single “Corazón Frío.” Zignago previously co-wrote Reyes’ global hit “1, 2, 3” and “Casualidad” on the Mexican singer’s latest album “Mal De Amores.” The friends and longtime collaborators join forces for Zignago’s frosty synth-pop anthem. Zignago and Reyes trade verses about moving on from past relationships that left them feeling cold. In the music video, after finding out their ex-partners have moved in together, the two women break into the house and let their frustrations run wild. This girl power moment among friends leads to a feel-good pop track that feels cathartic.
Feid, “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo”
Happy Birthday, Feid! The Colombian singer-songwriter celebrated his 30th birthday by releasing his new single “Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo.” Embracing “Ferxxo,” another name Feid goes by with his fans. Backed by atmospheric reggaeton beats, he pours his heart out about an ex that’s still on his mind. “I know I’m drunk, but I remember how good we danced, baby,” he sings in Spanish. His Medellín brand of reggaeton sentimental hits on a different level in this haunting club banger. In the music video, Feid revealed via birthday cake that his next album will release on Dec. 1.
Victoria La Mala, “Tenme Miedo”
For her music video “Tenme Miedo,” Victoria La Mala joined forces with legends Chris Perez and Joe Ojeda, both of whom are members of Selena’s band Los Dinos. Victoria La Mala blends the hip-hop edge of her music with the Tejano soul that Perez and Ojeda brought to Los Dinos. Trap beats with a regional Mexican twist back her as she raps in Spanglish about being a strong independent woman. “Fear me, I’ve earned everything I have, and you’re not going to disrespect me,” La Mala sings. She serves up a fierce Latina power anthem. The VHS-like music video pulls inspiration from the aesthetic of the ’90s and 2000s. “Tenme Miedo” is one of the songs on Victoria La Mala’s EP “Soy Mala.”
Camilo and Grupo Firme, “Alaska”
Camilo continues the rollout for his upcoming album “De Adentro Pa Afuera.” In “Alaska,” the Colombian pop star teamed up with the Mexican band Grupo Firme. Camilo’s Latin pop sound meets the banda music of Grupo Firme. Camilo and Grupo Firme’s lead singer Eduin Caz trade verses about drinking away the heartache at the bar with a few beers. Caz told LATINA that he and Camilo clicked quickly, “The synergy was immediate. We exchanged lyrics and verses. It was there that, without saying much, we decided that we should join our talents to create something new. Thus, birthed ‘Alaska,’ synonymous with joy, fun, passion, union, and celebration!” The Mexican peda comes to life in the music video where Camilo parties in the back of a van with Grupo Firme while his wife, Evaluna Montaner, acts as the designated driver. Camilo’s U.S. tour kicks off on Aug. 27 in New York City.
