Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features the return of Latin alternative band Y La Bamba, Karol G’s collaboration with Romeo Santos, and Colombia’s rising artist Ela Taubert.
Also on the list: Young Miko teams up with Hozwal for “Big Booty,” Chiquis releases a new banda anthem, and Big One kicks off his Crossover sessions with Emilia. Plus, RaiNao and Paopao drop an epic duet and CNCO shines in dreamy “Diferente” with Steve Aoki.
RaiNao and Paopao, “Dale Play”
RaiNao teamed up with another one of Puerto Rico’s women on the rise for her new single “Dale Play.” She joined forces with Paopao for the alluring reggaeton banger. RaiNao is known for bringing a soulful sound to reggaeton, and here she does just that. She trades verses with Paopao about the lust between two people who want to press replay on a past romance. RaiNao’s dreamy perreo sound is next level with Paopao in the mix.
Y La Bamba, “Dibujos De Mi Alma”
One of the most exciting alternative bands in Latin music has returned. Y La Bamba released the new single “Dibujos De Mi Alma.” The group is led by Mexican-American singer Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos. In the tropical track with a psychedelic edge, she reminisces about a past lover that’s still on her mind. She told LATINA that the hypnotic track is “a song of longing for this person but at the same time trying to detach myself from the unhealthy parts of connection.” It will be included on Y La Bamba’s album “Lucha” that will be released on April 28. The band’s U.S. tour kicks off on April 26, 2023.
Karol G and Romeo Santos, “X Si Volvemos”
Colombian superstar Karol G teamed up with Romeo Santos, the King of Bachata, for her new single “X Si Volvemos.” Instead of his usual bachata music, Santos finds himself wrapped up in Karol G’s reggaeton romp. She trades verses with Santos about getting back with an ex for one more fling. “It’s a porno and I love how we do it,” Karol G sings. Santos rounds out the bedroom banger with his sultry vocals. Karol G alludes to Santos’ classic “Noche De Sexo” with Wisin y Yandel. The song will be included on Karol G’s next album “Mañana Será Bonito.”
Hozwal and Young Miko, “Big Booty”
Two of Puerto Rico’s rising stars, Hozwal and Young Miko, teamed up for the former’s new single “Big Booty.” Hozwal blends trap beats with an electro-pop sound, and comes through with a playful performance as he sings about the women that have his attention. Young Miko, who is openly queer, turns up the heat with her fierce guest verse. She evokes Becky G and Cardi B as she describes the women that drive her wild. The sexy club banger will be included on Hozwal’s next album “Sempiterno.”
Ela Taubert, “¿Qué Hubiera Pasado?”
Ela Taubert is bringing a pop-punk edge to Latin music. The Colombian singer-songwriter dropped her new single “¿Qué Hubiera Pasado?” In her most electrifying release yet, she digs deep to sing about the angst that she’s left with following a breakup. In a statement about the song’s meaning, Taubert shared, “I wrote this song from my deepest insecurities, wondering if maybe things would have been different if I hadn’t been so wrong for following my fears sometimes.” With life’s lessons, she’s grown as an artist and a person. “I understand that thanks to that past I am here, I am who I am, and I am grateful everyday for my mistakes and my challenges. They have made me bring out the best version of myself,” she added.
Big One, Emilia, and Callejero Fino, “En La Intimidad”
Big One, one of Argentina’s top producers, kicked off his Crossover series with “En La Intimidad.” He has produced global hits for Argentine singers María Becerra and Emilia, and for his Crossover No. 1 session, he regrouped with Emilia and Argentine rapper Callejero Fino. Big One blends influences of cumbia music with hip-hop beats. Emilia trades verses with Callejero Fino about the rush of a secret romance behind closed doors. Big One is off to a great start with this cumbia fusion banger.
Chiquis, “Porque Soy Abeja Reina”
Chiquis has emerged as one of the leading female voices in regional Mexican music. The Mexican-American singer blends her banda music roots with a corridos edge in her new single “Porque Soy Abeja Reina.” In the empowering, personal anthem, Chiquis lets people know that she’s proudly carrying the crown and the legacy of her late mother, Jenni Rivera. Chiquis told LATINA, “It was very important for me to write and record a song like this one because it represents my truth and my essence. Being a Queen Bee means facing challenges and taking risks that allow you to grow in a personal and professional way.”
Steve Aoki and CNCO, “Diferente”
Steve Aoki joined forces with Latin boy band CNCO for his latest single “Diferente.” Aoki brings the quartet into his EDM world and their harmonies float across the dreamy track. The members of CNCO sing about a relationship that has gone cold over a chillwave soundscape. On the experience of working with Aoki, CNCO shared in a statement, “We are thrilled to be a part of this record, collaborating with Steve was something we wanted to do
for a long time. It’s a new sound fans have never heard from us before.”
LATINA’s New Music Picks are published every Monday.
