Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list includes the EP from breakout Dominican artist Letón Pé, Cardi B’s explosive collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, and Emilia’s Kylie Minogue-inspired club banger.
Also on the list: The new EP from Yahritza y Su Esencia, Sofia Reyes’ sexy single, and Elena Rose’s empowering anthem. Plus, a sweet love song from Carlos Rivera and the emergence of genre-bending artist MÓRY.
Letón Pé and Piek, “Ando Animal”
Letón Pé is showing a different side to the music of the Caribbean. The Dominican singer-songwriter released her new EP “Rojo Rubí.” In her latest single “Ando Animal,” Pé teamed up with Spanish producer Piek. Dembow-driven beats collide with elements of electronica in the fierce track. Pé sings about embracing your animal instinct. “[The song is about having] a connection with yourself,” she told LATINA. “[It’s about the] freedom to be in the moment even when you don’t understand exactly what you’re doing. It only takes joy.”
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
Cardi B is back with another wild club banger. The Dominican-American superstar regrouped with Megan Thee Stallion for her new single “Bongos.” The two rappers previously joined forces for the 2020 global smash “WAP.” This time around, Cardi B embraces elements of Brazilian funk music. She trades verses with Megan Thee Stallion about captivating the world with their assets. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will perform “Bongos” for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12. The show will air live on MTV that day.
Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Dos Extraños”
Yahritza y Su Esencia have returned with “Obsessed Pt. 2.” The EP by the Mexican-American trio includes the global hit “Frágil” with Grupo Frontera and “Inseparables” featuring Ivan Cornejo. Yahritza y Su Esencia also released the new single “Dos Extraños.” The heartbreaking song blends the band’s sierreño with elements of corridos tumbados. With a voice beyond her years, Yahritza Martinez sings about a partner who sadly turns into a stranger after a breakup. Next month, Yahritza y Su Esencia will restart the Obsessed Tour in Fresno on October 6.
Emilia, “GTA.mp3”
For her recent hits, Emilia has dabbled in music genres that she loved in the 2000s. The Argentine pop star channels Kylie Minogue and house music in her new single “GTA.mp3.” Backed by pulsating beats, Emilia sings a hot-and-heavy romance that she can’t get out of her head. “It’s a song to enjoy and dance to,” she told LATINA. “For a while I’ve wanted to do a song that was more in the style of electronica and house.” In the sexy music video, Emilia enters the world of Grand Theft Auto on her own mission.
MÓRY, “Moda”
MÓRY is changing the way we look at Latin music. The Dominican singer and producer broke through earlier this year with “Oye,” which blended together bachata and drill music. In her new single “Moda,” MÓRY continues to prove there’s no limits to her artistry. In the hypnotic track, she seamlessly melds genres like R&B, drum and bass, and reggaeton. “Moda means fun and freedom,” she told LATINA. “Following my previous songs, [‘MODA’] was the right track to show the world that a song can have various sounds at once and that’s okay.”
Sofia Reyes, “Hoy Me Porto Mal”
Sofia Reyes is also tapping into her animal instincts for her new single. In “Hoy Me Porto Mal,” the Mexican pop star blends elements of Afrobeats with sultry Latin pop music. Reyes sings about a red-hot romance that is driving her wild. “It expresses a sexual and feminine side of myself that I’m just starting to embrace, to love my body and my own power,” she told LATINA. Reyes will perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on October 5. The show will air live on Telemundo that day.
Elena Rosa, “Linda Natural”
Elena Rose is celebrating the beauty of all women in her new single. “Linda Natural” is an empowering anthem by the rising Venezuelan-American star. Backed by reggaeton with a bit of a jazz influence, Rose sings about encouraging women to love themselves and their bodies. “I want people to feel safe and happy,” she previously told LATINA. “Music is a way to express my love to life, my love to God, and my love to humanity. I want people to feel that, heal, and feel happy to be alive.”
Carlos Rivera, “Para Ti”
Carlos Rivera continues to prove that he is the king of love songs in Spanish. The Mexican superstar sweetly serenades his fans and his wife, Cynthia Rodriguez, in his new single “Para Ti.” In the soaring song, Rivera reveals that he dedicates his life to his partner. The cinematic music video shows a couple that finds out that they’re expecting a baby. It hits home for Rivera, who became a father to his son León in August. His U.S. tour restarts in El Paso on October 13.
Lucas Villa is a freelance music contributor for LATINA. His work is also featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Teen Vogue, MTV News and W Magazine.
