Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features the emergence of Mexican-American singer Doris Anahi and the return of Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin. There are plenty of all-star collaborations with Sebastián Yatra and Pablo Alborán as well as Camilo and Nicki Nicole.
Also on the list are Young Miko’s debut EP and Tainy and Rauw Alejandro’s stellar jam. Plus, Mexican-American indie acts Alaina Castillo and Omar Apollo dropped new tunes.
Doris Anahi, “Aprendiendo Por Las Malas”
Doris Anahi released her highly-anticipated debut EP “Aprendiendo Por Las Malas.” Though Anahi is new as an artist, she has years of experience in the industry as an artist manager and a proponent of Latinx music in L.A. From the style of her music and her Spanglish, Anahi always proudly represents being a Chicana Angeleno in her songs. She first teased the EP with the beautiful bolero “Que Sufras.” With her follow-up single, “It Wasn’t You,” Anahi gave the bolero a fresh R&B twist. The latest single, “Aprendiendo Por Las Malas” is a hypnotic ode to the hard knocks of love and life. The Disney Original documentary “Mija” that tells Anahi’s life story will be released to select theaters on August 5.
Ricky Martin, “Play”
Ricky Martin is back with his new EP “Play.” While the Puerto Rican superstar originally intended for the EP to be filled with club bangers, instead he came through with more sensual love songs. “Puerto Rico was mainly the inspiration,” he told LATINA. Discussing his homeland’s influence, Martin added, “It was a need to go back to the purity of the beginning. La poesia de la calle is there. It’s present. It’s pulsating. I was really in touch with nature. Obviously the island vibe.” The EP features the seriously sexy “Ácido Sabor” that Martin co-wrote with Súbelo NEO, the production duo behind many of Bad Bunny’s hits. However, Martin is still a smooth operator in the funky “Paris in Love” and the frisky “Amordio.” His irresistible EP is meant to be played in the bedroom.
Young Miko, “Trap Kitty”
Young Miko has emerged as a queer voice in Latin rap music. After garnering plenty of buzz around her music in Puerto Rico, she has released her debut EP “Trap Kitty.” Young Miko first made waves from Añasco, Puerto Rico, with her breakout song “105 Freestyle.” The EP includes her swaggering hit “Standard” and the hip-hop banger “Riri.” She embraces her queer identity in the hypnotic trap track “Bi” featuring Brray and reflects on going viral on TikTok with the fiery “Trending.” Throughout the EP, Young Miko masterfully blends classic hip-hop beats with her refreshing and rapid rap flow. The “Trap Kitty” is out of the bag and ready to take on the world.
Sebastián Yatra and Pablo Alborán, “Contigo”
Heartthrobs unite! Colombia’s Sebastián Yatra and Spain’s Pablo Alborán collaborated on the former’s new single “Contigo.” Both of their voices soar as they sing about fleeting romances and reminisce about old memories. The heartbreaking ballad reaches heavenly heights with these pop princes’ passionate performances. The music video is from a street performance of “Contigo” that Yatra and Alborán filmed in Spain. Earlier this year, Yatra released his “Dharma” album. Next month, the Dharma Tour kicks off in the U.S. Alborán will also be touring the U.S. with his Gira de Teatros Tour in November.
Camilo and Nicki Nicole, “Naturaleza”
Camilo continues the roll-out for his upcoming album “De Adentro Pa Afuera.” The Colombian star partnered with his wife Evaluna Montaner for an ode to their child, “Índigo,” and with Spanish icon Alejandro Sanz for “NASA.” Now, Camilo is joining forces with Argentine singer and rapper Nicki Nicole for the empowering Latin pop anthem “Naturaleza.” Camilo and Nicole trade verses about embracing who you are despite the naysayers. “After many meetings, we decided that ‘Naturaleza’ had a very powerful message we wanted to share with everyone,” Nicole told LATINA. Concerning the blending of their musical styles, she added, “We finished putting it together, each with our taste. We are happy with the result. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy and identify with it as much as we do.”
Tainy and Rauw Alejandro, “Sci-Fi”
Puerto Rican hit-maker Tainy is back with his new single “Sci-Fi,” produced with fellow Boricua superstar Rauw Alejandro. With the single, Tainy has come through with an out-of-this-world club banger. Backed by funky beats with galactic synths, Alejandro sings about being wrapped up in an otherworldly romance. His slick vocals and performance give Tainy’s track an irresistible edge. The knockout collaboration will be on Tainy’s upcoming album “DATA.” Last year, Tainy scored a global smash with “Lo Siento BB:/” featuring Bad Bunny and Julieta Venegas. He’s produced hits for Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Jhay Cortez, Kali Uchis, and many other of today’s Latin music stars.
Alaina Castillo, “Call Me When You’re Lonely”
This past year Alaina Castillo has broken through. The Mexican-American singer performed at the Coachella Music Festival in April, and the following month, she opened for Coldplay in her hometown of Houston. That month she also returned with “Sad Girls Always Finish First.” Castillo keeps the sad girl vibes coming with her new single, “Call Me When You’re Lonely.” She blends synth-pop music with a soulful twist and sings about wanting an old flame back. Castillo commands the hypnotic track with her alluring voice. “‘Call Me When You’re Lonely’ is a song about missing someone and the way things used to be so much that you’re willing to do anything just to hear their voice or see their face one more time,” she told LATINA.
Omar Apollo, “Archetype”
Good news for Omar Apollo fans — he is releasing an expanded version of his debut album “Ivory” very soon. The Mexican-American singer will add five more songs to the LP to re-package it as “Marfil.” Apollo has also released one of the new songs called “Archetype.” He continues to blend R&B and funk music with a pop-rock edge, singing about finding his other half with a sexy and soulful performance. The alluring “Archetype” already has us wanting more new music from Apollo and his upcoming expanded LP “Marfil.” The original version features “Bad Life” with Kali Uchis. Apollo previously told LATINA, “That’s literally like my sister. She’s the best. We get along super well. She feels like family.”
