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.
Christian Nodal, “Kbron y Medio” (Sony Music México)
With his new single, Nodal perfectly captures a bad boy attitude, almost villain-like, which leads to a toxic lifestyle that only those who’ve gotten their hearts broken can understand. In “Kbron y Medio,” which loosely translates to “a jerk and a half,” he embraces a new identity to help heal his wounds. Powered by a country blues melody fused with his signature mariachi elements, the single-as-of-recently artist sings emotively, “My kisses are no longer for just one, my bed is open to receive bad girls, my agenda is open for everyone,” while quickly adding, “just don’t get stuck and talk to me about feelings.” His second single of the year, “Kbron y Medio” is a preview of his upcoming album, Pa’l Cora, slated for mid August. – GRISELDA FLORES
FARIANA, Oro Solido, “El Caballito” (La Commission, LLC)
Farina (now, under her new alter ego Fariana) has teamed up with Oro Solido for what could possibly, most probably, become the song of the summer. After dipping her toes in the dembow genre, the Colombian rapper continues to tap Dominican culture, this time with “El Caballito,” a catchy merengue produced by Gangsta and Oro Solido’s frontman Raul Acosta. In her new career chapter, where she goes under the artistic name of Fariana, the rapper explores her versatility that goes beyond rap and freestyling. “El Caballito” — the second single off of her upcoming musical project — is a perfect example of her new era, best fusing her effortless and saucy rhymes with the merengue group’s signature mambo sound that has had generations after generations dancing “hasta las 15 de la mañana” (until 3 in the morning). — JESSICA ROIZ
J Balvin & Chencho Corleone, “Polvo de tu Vida” (Capitol Records)
Kicking off with eerie, dissonant strings, J Balvin dives deep into his fascination for sci-fi-inspired melodies juxtaposed a vigorous old-school reggaetón thump in “Polvo de tu Vida.” The Colombian superstar enlists genre OG Chencho Corleone who provides the ideal high-pitched harmonic counterpart to J Balvin’s sensual flow. Together, they deliver the catchy and impassioned hook: “Soy el polvo de tu vida, esta noche no se olvida,” proclaiming it with fervor ensuring it resonates with the listener. The song and its accompanying video immediately seizes attention, with its eccentric tones and the futuristic visuals that allude to a dystopian theme. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Natti Natasha, “Quiéreme Menos” (Sony Music Latin)
With the romantic bachata “Quiéreme Menos,” Natti Natasha celebrates her love story. Written by Romeo Santos and dedicated to his partner, producer Raphy Pina, the song talks about an unconditional love that overcomes all adversities. “Romeo managed to capture the essence of what I feel for Raphy and everything he has given me, while making the lyrics universal. It is a privilege to be able to perform this beautiful song, which emerges from his pen and musical talent,” Natasha said in a statement about the release. The emotional music video shows various clips of intimate moments from her life as a couple, including Pina’s recent release from prison. — LUISA CALLE
Joaquina, “Pesimista” (Universal Music Latino)
Joaquina continues expanding her collection of profound, relatable works with this new song about missing someone you love from a distance. Written by the Venezuelan artist during a Spring she spent in Madrid, and co-produced by Julio Reyes Copello and Larry Coll, “Pesimista” shows an evolution in the singer-songwriter — who in November became the youngest artist to win the Latin Grammy for best new artist — with more mature lyrics and an evocative sound. “I’m not a pessimist, but if I were to lose you, it would break me to pieces,” she sings in part of the lyrics.
“This song is essentially a love song that speaks to having something so special to the point in which you’re scared to lose it,” Joaquina explained in a press release. “It’s about being far from the person you love and wishing that they were living all of these new experiences and things with you and seeing them everywhere you go.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
