Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features the return of Jessie Reyez and the emergence of Puerto Rican and Colombian singer Lucy Vives.
Also on the list, Mexican singer Ingratax goes banda with Banda MS, Nicky Jam and Jay Wheeler go bachata with Prince Royce, and Paloma Mami slays Polimá Westcoast’s “Ultra Solo” remix. Plus, Yandel teams up with Maluma and Eladio Carrion, Alejo breaks out with “Full Discoteka,” and Monsieur Periné celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with Vanesa Martín.
Jessie Reyez, “Fraud”
Jessie Reyez is back! The Canadian and Colombian singer released her new single, “Fraud.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reyez took some time off to work on her craft. Her last single was “Rain” alongside Grandson and Idris Elba on last year’s “The Suicide Squad” soundtrack. In “Fraud,” Reyez continues to push R&B and pop to exciting new places. Backed by light trap beats, she goes off on a lover who turned out to be unfaithful. “I let you through my f**king walls just so you can break me and make money off my f**king scars,” Reyez sings. Frauds be damned with this soulful yet piercing take down. She is also making her directorial debut as co-director of the striking music video with Emma Higgins.
Lucy Vives, “Cenizas”
Lucy Vives has arrived. The Puerto Rican and Colombian singer released her debut single, “Cenizas.” The captivating track was produced by Sinego and she co-wrote it with Dani Blau, who has penned hits for Latin pop stars like Danna Paola and Lali. Vives identifies as sexually fluid, and she sings about bidding her lover adieu from a lesbian perspective. Her sultry vocals make this one last hurrah with her lover all the more irresistible. Vives’ take on the bolero with a pop touch is refreshing. She is the daughter of iconic Colombian singer Carlos Vives. She appeared on his single “Besos En Cualquier Hora” with Mau y Ricky.
Prince Royce, Nicky Jam & Jay Wheeler, “Si Te Preguntan”
Prince Royce is bringing some more bachata music into our lives. The Dominican-American pop star released his new single, “Si Te Preguntan.” This time he invited Puerto Rican singers Nicky Jam and Jay Wheeler in the Dominican genre. Royce sounds phenomenal, as always, in bachata while, Jam and Wheeler come through with heartfelt performances that compliment him well. The amount of hearts that will be stolen after hearing this soaring love song? Far too many. The swoon is real, especially with Royce’s alluring vocals. Earlier this year, Royce scored a hit with “Te Espero,” featuring Argentine singer María Becerra. He will perform all his hits on the Classic Tour that will travel across the U.S. in the fall.
Ingratax and Banda MS, “Un Chingazo”
Ingratax is a rising Latin pop star from Mexico. Last year she released her breakout single “Paris.” The emo track with a reggaeton twist reached No. 36 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and amassed over 94 million views on YouTube. For her new single, “Un Chingazo,” Ingratax is embracing the sound of her Mexican roots. She teamed up with top-selling banda music act Banda MS. She blends her emo edge with the brassy sounds of Banda MS. Ingratax wears her heart on her sleeve as she sings about being haunted by a past relationship. “When I heard [the song], I loved it,” Ingratax told LATINA. “I thought it was incredible! When it was time to record it, I gave it my personal touch, a little more in my style.”
Alejo, “Full Discoteka”
Alejo has become a rising star in reggaeton music this year. The Puerto Rican singer broke out thanks to his viral hit “Pantysito” with Feid and Robi. He also collaborated with Karol G in “Un Viaje.” With the release of his second EP, “Full Discoteka,” Alejo wanted the focus to be on him without any featured artists. This time around, he gives reggaeton music a dance music twist. “I wanted to make an EP for the summer, happy and danceable,” he told LATINA. “I was inspired by the experiences that happen in a disco. I studied different DJs, and all the songs do not go below 90 BPM. It is exactly what I visualized: full disco to dance.” That’s best evidenced by the lead single, “Se Enamoró de un Reggaetonero,” where Alejo’s charm and swagger shine over alluring beats.
Monsieur Periné and Vanesa Martín, “Tú y Yo”
Monsieur Periné is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month with their new single. The Colombian group – led by Catalina García and Santiago Prieto – teamed up with Spanish singer and poet Vanesa Martín for “Tú y Yo.” Monsieur Periné’s García and Martín share tender verses about not being afraid to love who you love. The beautiful music video for the celebratory anthem features couples from all walks of life and images of self-love. “[The song] is a story of a love so big that it can break through all barriers,” García told LATINA. “It was written as a letter whose sender understands between the lines why they feel a certain way with their heart.” Monsieur Periné’s summer tour in the U.S. kicks off on July 13.
Polimá Westcoast, Paloma Mami, Pailita, Feid & De La Ghetto, “Ultra Solo” remix
We missed you, Paloma Mami. The Chilean-American singer re-emerged on the remix of Polimá Westcoast’s rising hit “Ultra Solo.” Westcoast proudly represents Chile with Mami and Pailita featuring on the alluring track. He also gives it a global appeal with Puerto Rican singer De La Ghetto and Colombian artist Feid in the mix. Every artist gets their moment to shine on the star-studded collaboration, but Mami steals the show. As the only woman on the track, she gives it a flirty and fierce touch with her standout guest verse. Being single has never sounded so good. Mami released her debut album, “Sueños de Dalí,” last year.
Yandel, Maluma & Eladio Carrion, “Nunca Y Pico”
As Wisin y Yandel move closer to the end of their time together as a duo, each member is still releasing music on their own. Puerto Rican icon Yandel dropped his new single “Nunca Y Pico” with Colombian superstar Maluma and fellow Boricua rapper Eladio Carrion. On the tender reggaeton track, the three guys take turns laying heartfelt affection on their lovers. Carrion even shows a softer side on this sensual and charming love song. In other Maluma news, he released the Summer 2022 collection of his Royalty fashion line with Macy’s. “This is my first time ever designing a summer collection, and for me, it was special because I had the opportunity to design bathing suits for women; an experience that was completely memorable and inspiring,” he said in a statement.
