New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard’s Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Carín León, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 (Socios Music)
It’s no secret that Carín León’s musical influences are extremely diverse: In fact, he once told Billboard that the first song he learned to sing was Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” when he was little boy, and that he had sort of fallen into singing regional Mexican because of where he was born in Sonora, Mexico — a region where that genre rules. In just a few years, he’s become one of the most important exponents of música mexicana today — singing over both R&B beats and a norteño accordion — globalizing the once-considered-niche style. Now, he’s fully embracing his experimental roots in Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 where he doesn’t hold back from showing off just what a chameleon he is in music and how innovative he can be.
From pop (“Otra Vez”), R&B (“Despídase Bien”) corridos tumbados (“Casi Oficial), alt-rock (“Frené Mis Pies”) and even cumbia ska (“No Sé” with Panteón Rococó), it’s important to note that León doesn’t totally abandon the norteño sound that made him the star that he is. The 34-year-old singer elevates his core sound by incorporating subtle influences he’s taken from country and R&B. One thing is clear, whatever genre he’s singing in, León sounds right at home, cementing himself as one of the most versatile and eclectic artists in Latin music. It’s important to listen to the album from top to bottom to get the full Carín León experience. It’s a tour de force album that has set the bar high for future releases — and this is just the first volume of two. — GRISELDA FLORES
Olga Tañón, Así Yo Soy (Opción1 Entertainment)
If the opening title track is any indication, Olga Tañón is embracing life to the fullest (and with no rules) on her new studio album. In “Así Soy Yo,” –-a refreshing mambo reggaetón jam — she makes it clear that she’s not changing her ways for nobody. What remains consistent, however, is her reign as “La Mujer de Fuego” (the woman of fire), bringing to life 10 tracks that, for the most part, are innovative merengue fusions: “Vamos A Ser Feliz” with Christian Alicea, “Escondidos” with Sergio Vargas, and the Eddy Herrera-assisted “Ya No Soy Ajena” — a clever response to Herrera’s 2001 mega hit “Tu Eres Ajena.”
The Puerto Rican tropical star also experiments on Así Yo Soy: Her powerhouse vocals and empowering, relatable lyrics shine on the vallenato tune “Enseñame,” with Jorge Celedon and Lenier, while she takes on música Mexicana on “Amarte Me Hace Daño” and punk rock on “Tu Quieres Que Contigo Yo Me Vaya.” The set wraps with the ultra personal ballad “No Sé Quien Soy,” in collaboration with Lenier. — JESSICA ROIZ
Mau y Ricky, Hotel Caracas (Warner Music Latina)
For their third studio album, Mau y Ricky literally returned to their roots by taking a three-month trip through their native Venezuela, 15 years after moving to Miami as children. Led by producer Malay (Frank Ocean, Lorde, Fletcher), and inspired in music they listened to since their childhood, the Montaner brothers created songs using entirely acoustic arrangements, a lot of horns and brass, while experimenting with pop, funk, Latin and urban sounds.
The result is Hotel Caracas, a 16-track set that includes the previously released singles “Vas a Destrozarme,” “Pasado Mañana,” the Guaynaa-assisted “Gran Día” and “Canción 2,” as well as collaborations with Arcángel on “Hasta Olvidarte” and Ilegales in “Espectacular.” Each comes with a music video filmed in different corners of Venezuela, along with a 15-episode documentary on their exciting journey, directed by Daniel Durán and available here.
“Hotel Caracas is a journey into the future while reconnecting with our roots,” Mau y Ricky say in a press release. “We revisited our passion for writing songs without following formulas or rules, driven by curiosity.” With songs that also include “Muriendo de Miedo,” “David Beckham,” “Amarte Tanto” and “Karma,” among others, it’s a fun ride from start to finish, full of nostalgia, humor and good vibes. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Gusi, Monte Adentro (Gaira Música Local)
Gusi embarks on a profound, introspective journey to reconnect with his Caribbean roots while infusing them with pop sounds in Monte Adentro. “This album is an invitation to look at that place where we belong,’ Gusi passionately shared during the launch of his new album in Miami on May 30. “Many of us have arrived in the United States with a latent dream that never stops. But we always have an invisible thread there that ties us to some place, some corner.”
This seven-track set is a collaborative project between Gusi and iconic Latin producer Emilio Estefan Jr. Together, they worked at Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, which, in Gusi’s words, “being at that studio felt like an award.” They worked on the album for ten days; Estefan chatted with Billboard during the launch and explained how, for him, music has to be done quickly to maintain its magic. “Music is like love; you click, and you fall in love fast, and you fall out of love fast, too,” he says.
The album aims to celebrate the diversity of Latin America, and it’s beautifully represented in this album full of rich fusions of accordions, trumpets and guitars with Gusi’s sweet vocals, as we hear in “Amores No Correspondidos,” “Me Voy Contigo” and the folkloric flauta de millo-featuring “Mil Ave Marias.” Meanwhile, the focus track gives the album its name and encompasses all the meaning it has for Gusi, as well as the importance of always wanting to return to his roots. — INGRID FAJARDO
Omar Montes, Lola Índigo & Las Chuches, “EL PANTALON (RUMBAS)” (Sony Music Latin)
Spanish singer Omar Montes joins fellow hitmakers Lola Indigo and Las Chuches for a vibrant collaboration on “El Pantalon – Rumbas”, creating a summer explosion. This cheerful flamenco rumba fused with urban music is a remix of Las Chuches’ classic 2004 hit “El Pantalon.” “I’m looking around the square to buy some pants/ Let them fit me very tight, let them fit me hesitantly,” they sing in unison — while, in the video clip, they are seen walking through a local market, as (you guessed it) they look for the famous pants. — LUISA CALLE
Manuel Medrano, Perfecto (Warner Music México)
Manuel Medrano takes his time between albums, and that’s why they come out so well. Perfecto comes three years after Eterno, and it was worth the wait. Perfecto is sophisticated, yet commercial, an album that explores pop, funk, dance and soul with elegance and attitude. “Verano En NY” is just like its title-chill, urban, fun; “Este Cuento” is uptempo pop with mixes of dance and acoustic guitars; “Luna” (with Arthur Hanlon on piano) is a sweeping acoustic ballad, backed by atmospheric strings; and “Miel” is pure disco. Throughout, Medrano’s deep, distinctive voice and well-crafted lyrics shine, always a welcome combination. — LEILA COBO
Grupo Firme, “El Beneficio de la Duda” (Music VIP Entertainment)
Grupo Firme is known for its party songs, but how well they do ballads? In “El Beneficio de la Duda”, composed by Joss Favela, Eduin Caz unleashes an emotion that is rarely seen in his music. This norteño ballad, accompanied by the accordion’s lament, is short and beautiful. “I don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I’ll be grateful if someday you give it to me,” Caz implores in the video, singing in the rain and showing another aspect of his great musicality. — L. Cobo
Manu Chao, “Viva Tú” (Radio Bemba)
There’s something nostalgic and poetic about “Viva Tú,” Manu Chao’s latest single that pays homage to heartfelt connections. The eternal troubadour captures the simple joys of life, weaving them into a tribute that feels both personal and universal. It thrives on the heart-rending strums of a nylon guitar set to a mellow rhythm of a rumba; while, flamenco-styled vocal embellishments further enrich the tune. The track announces his upcoming solo studio album, out later this year — the first since 2007’s La Radiolina. “Cada día que me enamoro,” he sings, honoring everyday heroines from the baker to the sweeper, each verse blooming with admiration, celebrating the unassuming beauty of daily interactions. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
