Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features Shakira’s ode to her sons, the return of Ivy Queen, and the emergence of GALE.
Also on the list: Villano Antillano’s fierce collaboration with Pedro Capó, Miranda! revisits one of their hits with Juan Ingaramo and Emmanuel Horvilleur, and Corina Smith’s post-breakup anthem. Plus, the debut album from Spanish singer-songwriter BORJA and Mariangela’s heartfelt single.
Shakira, “Acróstico”
Shakira dedicates her new single “Acróstico” to her sons. In the heartfelt ballad, she thanks Milan and Sasha for helping her get through her breakup from her ex Gerard Piqué. Shakira also offers her boys her love during this difficult time while giving them advice on how to overcome hurdles in the future. Earlier this month, the Colombian icon was presented with the Latin Woman of the Year Award at the Billboard Women in Latin Music event. During her speech, she shared the honor with her sons, her mom, and “all the single moms who defend and protect their children like lionesses.”
GALE, “La Mitad”
After helping write songs for artists like Shakira and Christina Aguilera, GALE is making her mark an artist with her debut album. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter previously teased Lo Que No Te Dije with the rock-infused hits “Inmadura” and “Problemas.” Now GALE is showing a vulnerable side to her artistry with the introspective track “La Mitad.” In the beautiful, reggaeton-lite track, she sings about what’s left after a relationship has run its course. “It’s about letting go, but also being like there’s a lot of nostalgia in that feeling,” GALE told LATINA. “That’s why I love that song so much.”
Ivy Queen, “Toma”
Ivy Queen has returned! The Puerto Rican icon released her new banger “Toma.” Ivy Queen channels the sound of reggaeton from the 2000s while pushing it into the future. Backed by funky rhythms, she lets the listeners know that she still reigns supreme over the genre after all these years. At the Billboard Women in Music event in March, the reggaeton pioneer was honored with the Icon Award. “The bars became my self-defense mechanism,” she said while accepting the honor. “Through the lyrics, I encouraged other women who were around me to defend themselves and to also not be silent when something hurts.”
Miranda!, Juan Ingaramo, and Emmanuel Horvilleur, “Traición”
Miranda! is revisiting its past hits with the current crop of Argentine pop stars. Back in April, the Argentine duo released Hotel Miranda! where they recorded new versions of their songs. Miranda! released the playful music video for their electro-pop bop “Traición.” This time, Juan Ingaramo and Emmanuel Horvilleur check into the hotel and give the song a sultry touch. “I stayed at Hotel Miranda and very crazy things happened like this version of ‘Traición’ next to Emmanuel Horvilleur,” Ingaramo wrote on Instagram. “I love you Miranda! Thank you for being an inspiration forever and ever.” Ingaramo also recently released his latest single, the flirty “Anímate.”
Corina Smith, “Como Te Va?”
After making her mark in reggaeton music, Corina Smith is showing that her artistry is not limited to one genre. In her new single “Como Te Va?,” the Venezuelan singer gives Latin music a touch of R&B that is reminiscent of the the 2000s. Smith sings about getting over a breakup while learning to love herself more. “It’s a song that I’m giving to my fans from my heart with that vibe of feeling happy again even when the sadness from a bad love experience made you think you weren’t going to smile again,” she told LATINA. The feel-good song will be included on her album Triste Pero Siempre Mami, which will be released on May 25.
Villano Antillano and Pedro Capó, “Reina De La Selva”
Villano Antillano turns up the heat in her music with her new single “Reina De La Selva.” The Puerto Rican rapper teams up with fellow Boricua artist Pedro Capó for the fierce reggaeton anthem. Antillano trades verses with Capó trade verses about empowering women to be the lionesses that they are. She also revealed that the opening scene of the sexy music video was inspired by 2002 movie Die Another Day. “The hair flip I threw in my first scene and the walk on the beach are entirely inspired by one of my favorite Bond girls, Halle Berry,” Antillano wrote on Instagram. “I grew up watching all these movies and in my journey I was overqualified to be a Bond girl. Always a dreamer.”
Mariangela, “Luz Azul”
Mariangela continues to give Latin music an alternative twist with her music. In her latest single “Luz Azul,” the Mexican singer-songwriter blends elements of rock with an electro-pop edge. Mariangela sings about the importance of being there when they need someone to talk with. She wants to help them find their shine with lyrics inspired by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s poem “Tu Pupila Es Azul.” Mariangela told LATINA, “It’s an invitation to a loved one, your grandmother, your partner, your brother or sister, your friend, to open up and be vulnerable because it is the only way love can transcend and heal you.” It’s her first taste of new music since the release of her 4+1 EP.
BORJA, “Quizás”
BORJA has co-penned hits for artists like Reik, Lasso, and Nicole Zignago. The Spanish singer-songwriter is making his debut as an artist with his first album Rimas Del Verbo Amar. He previously teased the project with the hot-and-heavy single “Tensión” featuring Colombian singer Valentina Rico and the flamenco-infused “Tu Cuarto.” Armed with his guitar, BORJA is bringing love back into Latin pop through his emotional lyrics. He wears his heart on his sleeve in the soaring ballad “Quizás” where he sings about trying to move on from a past relationship. “I want people to feel the lyrics and the feelings in these songs,” BORJA told LATINA. “I love when people message me through Instagram and tell me that one of my songs reminds them of someone and how it relates to their story.”
LATINA’s New Music Picks are published every Monday.
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.
