14 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Boza to Silvana Estrada
This is our weekly compilation of newly released bite-sized song reviews from our talented music writers. Discover new favorites, read nuanced criticism of the week’s hottest releases, and much more. Who knows, you might walk out of this with a new fave or two. Some of the featured artists include Boza with Beéle, Silvana Estrada, & San Cha. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Boza, Beéle – “Que Prefieres”
The Panamanian artist Boza released a reggaeton and dancehall-infused track, “Que Prefieres,” alongside the emerging Colombian singer Beele. The production also infuses a distinctive piano and chime that add a sentimental touch to its emotional lyrics, talking about the uneasiness of having to define a relationship. However, the visuals show an additional story that involves the two vocalists participating in a money act that their partners don’t appear to agree with. “Que Prefieres” is the focus single from Boza’s newest and anticipated musical bundle. – Jeanette Hernandez
Silvana Estrada – “Aquí”
Mexican songstress Silvana Estrada released her awaited EP Abrazo this week, including the focus track and visualizer for “Aquí.” A serenade wrapped in tranquility, Estrada ruminates on the sweetness of life previously unseen or fully cherished as a means to view the present with kinder eyes. The warmth of her mesmerizing voice is gently laid over a simple melody delivered from her signature quatro guitar, as the visuals provide a nostalgic touch that plays back the magic of a memory of playing the song for friends in love in a Brooklyn apartment earlier in the year. – Jeanette Diaz
Mueran Humanos – “El Camino Del Dolor”
Mostly known for their harsh experiments in synth punk and techno-oriented musical extremity, the Berlin-via-Buenos Aires duo changes gears to give us something vulnerable and sweet, even. Recalling the goth-tinged balladry of Joy Division and Velvet Underground’s most tender moments, “El Camino Del Dolor” floats on airy electronics, vintage drumming, and simple guitar lines over singer Carmen Burguess’ most wounded and poetic lyrics. Mueran Humanos welcomes the season with an autumnal ballad fit for the weather. — Marcos Hassan
St. Panther x Chrystel – “Así Así”
St. Panther’s These Days EP was one of 2020’s best releases of the year, and now she’s dropping her first song in Spanish alongside ATL singer Chrystel. The song is an afrobeats joint made to get hips swaying and heads bopping, with Chrystel’s Ivorian roots lending gravity to an already catchy track that maximizes their chemistry. St. Panther, real name Daniela Bojorges-Giraldo, is clearly having fun with the production and wants to spread that joy to listeners. The song’s fresh lyrics celebrate the thrill of a healthy, reciprocal relationship that’s worth dancing, as she sings, for “horas y horas.” — Juan J. Arroyo
Lilly Yan – “Egoísta”
The world is exhausting, and Lilly Yan knows this well. Saturated by a dreadful, never-ending news cycle, the Honduran-American pop pixie offers a mantra of self-care on her latest single, “Egoísta.” She vents over shimmering synths and a minimal bossa nova beat, grappling with the sense of guilt often produced by staying home under the bedsheets. Lilly Yan reminds us — and herself — that sometimes it’s OK to be a little selfish and pamper ourselves. So go ahead, drink that second glass of wine. – Richard Villegas
Tagua Tagua – “Tanto”
To introduce Tanto, his sophomore full-length as Tagua Tagua and first with Brooklyn’s Wonderwheel Recordings, multitalented São Paulo-based artist Felipe Puperi shared the title track, a soft and soulful jam to daydream to. Joined by musicians Leo Mattos and JoJo, Puperi uses a handful of instruments delicately and purposefully placed in the stereo spectrum to capture the overwhelming feeling of falling deeply in love, an emotion he describes beautifully while riding the upper end of his vocal register. – Cheky
Bloods – “Radical”
“Radical,” the latest single from Australian punk trio Bloods’s third studio album Together, Baby (out Sep. 23), is a charged anthem of empowerment inspired by protest chants sung across Latin America, including “Un violador en tu camino” by Chilean feminist performance art collective LASTESIS. In the accompanying video, director Triana Hernandez centers on the writer and stripper Romina Pistolas’s day-to-day routine of work, rest, and the “freedom to exist safely without being attacked, hassled, or judged by society.” Matching the lyrical dynamism of riot grrrl luminaries like Bikini Kill, singer Marihuzka Cornelius cuts through the static with defiant rage over punchy toms and thunderous trumpet and trombone solos: “Todas mis hermanas con las manos en el aire/Cuando nos cansamos lo llevamos a la calle,” “Futuro nuestro para soñar y mano-a-mano a pelear/Hechas de magia con voces grande para gritar” – Nayeli Portillo
Klüber – “Meu Som”
The up-and-coming Brazilian artist Klüber employs her classical music formation with influences ranging from local samba to grunge, alternative rock, indie, folk, and alternative pop, leading to an experimental sound. On the track “Meu Som” from her debut album Pra Duvidar, Klüber unleashes a powerful ballad about mixed signals sent by her male love interest. The piano arrangements navigate over art pop waters, while Klüber’s vocals are tinged with an influence from the Seattle grunge scene of the ‘90s, all coming together to make room for the most radio-friendly track on the album. – Gabriel Leão
Cyn Santana – “PÉGAME”
Following the empowering number “Gimme Light,” the Salvadoran-Dominican artist Cyn Santana released “Pégame.” The pop reggaeton single follows the same vein: it oozes bold female representation and embraces her unchained sexuality while at it. The music video features the femme fatale enjoying street music and captivating the male gaze while she strides through the streets of the Dominican Republic. With tantalizing lyrics like, “Tu amigo mirando y tu quiere también,” her confidence remains unparalleled. – Jeanette Hernandez
San Cha – “Enfrente De Ti”
Regret gets a lively disco-inspired soundtrack on Los Angeles-based artist San Cha’s latest offering. Nestled in the determined decision to forget every ounce of an ex-lover’s memory, the single is full, robust, and power packed in energized instrumentation. The singer’s forceful vocal plea meets enchanting synths and a tantalizing saxophone to supplement a lamenting disco ball-lit party where all the raging emotions are invited. – Jeanette Diaz
Sr. Chinarro – “El Detector”
At this point, Spain’s Sr. Chinarro has become a genre of his own, and “El Detector” is another top-notch contender in a catalog of picture-perfect singles. Taking the metaphor of the metal detector — finding treasures in unexpected places, digging for different reasons, hoping for life-changing possibilities — the singer-songwriter takes this folk-based, twee-accented song and gives it a subdued arrangement. It recalls indie pop’s golden age while adding strings for sentimental value. Sr. Chinarro’s baritone voice lets the emotions spelled out in the music and lyrics of “El Detector” speak directly to listeners’ emotions. — Marcos Hassan
Pink Pablo – “Insomnia”
Giving credit where credit’s due, melding a ‘90s pop-rock sound with reggaetón lyrical stylings is something that reads odd on paper, but Pink Pablo manages to pull it off. “Insomnia,” his first of four singles the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter will be releasing monthly between today and Dec., is a fun track tailored to appeal to Millennials with its nostalgic hooks and Gen Z for, well, its nostalgic hooks too, but in a different way. Pablo’s relatively new to the scene, but the song shows off his promise as a deft singer and someone who can craft catchy bops ingeniously. — Juan J. Arroyo
Dawer X Damper & Lee Eye – “Eso”
When it comes to Colombia, most eyes tend to hover over Bogota and Medellin as promised lands of rock, reggaeton, and electronic music. But Cali is thriving — a city considered the nexus point for rapidly evolving musical traditions of the Colombian Pacific. Afro-futurists Dawer X Damper are a prime example of these fresh ideas, colliding percolating afrobeats with inimitable Colombiano swagger on their latest single, “Eso.” The message is simple: “you got that ‘thing’ that makes me go crazy.” Nimble trap and R&B chanteuse Lee Eye also jumps on for a sexy hook perfect for grinding up on your boo. — Richard Villegas
LYZZA – “Cheat Code”
Amsterdam-based Brazilian producer/vocalist LYZZA has dropped her awaited Big Dada mixtape MOSQUITO, which includes “Cheat Code,” one of its standout tracks. With a spectral beat that’s both menacing and melancholic, LYZZA intertwines contrasting elements (vocals in Spanish and Portuguese, mellow singing and rapid-fire rapping), mirroring the feelings of being open to play around but knowing her worth well enough not to let just anyone into her heart. This night is just for perreo. – Cheky
