15 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Yendry to Cauty
This is a weekly compilation of bite-sized song and EP reviews from our music writers. Discover new favs, read nuanced criticism of the week’s hottest releases, and more. This week, some of the featured artists include Yendry, riela, and Cauty. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Yendry x Lous and the Yakuza – “MASCARADE”
In a stunning display of sultry, bilingual R&B, COLORS alumni Yendry and Lous and the Yazuka team up for a stunning new track “MASCARADE” that was dropped on the platform as an exclusive. The collaboration radiates divine feminine energy as the global rising powerhouses move through a fluid soundscape of sensual R&B in Spanish and French, respectively, to deliver an intimate flow around a narrative themes racism and prejudice – demanding for people’s masks to come off before being spoken too in an act of reclamation of their own power and independence. – Jeanette Diaz
Fuego x Micro TDH – “La Original”
Atypical of his usual output, “La Original” is a more vulnerable track from Fuego in which he slows himself down from his popular Latine trap brashness and raps about love and longing. What’s not missing is the gravitas that he always brings, even when he lets his guard down to gravelly whisper sweet nothings to an old flame. Venezuelan R&B crooner Micro TDH tags in too and compliments the (literally) finger-snapping beat, courtesy of producer XAY, with some smooth lines and not a little bit of swag. No better time than February to show you can throw roses and not just hands. — Juan J. Arroyo
Claudia Manzo, BaianaSystem – “Água Benta”
Last year, self-described “Brachilena” singer-songwriter and musician Claudia Manzo penned a couple of tracks with Brazilian Afrofuturists BaianaSystem for OXEAXEEXU, a transformative collaboration that synced so smoothly, it was bound to happen again. The two rejoin on “Água Benta,” the third single off of Claudia Manzo’s forthcoming album Re-voltar, which is set to drop this March. Here, Manzo speaks to the many rich, pre-colonial histories across present-day Latin America (‘Mi danza no es del diablo/Es movimiento poesía/Encontrar mis ancestros, nunca fue una herejía’), and belts it all out beside Roberto Barreto’s cutting guitarra baiana and Russo Passapusso’s sonorous bars. – Nayeli Portillo
Rosaly Rubio, Lapiz Conciente – “Emilio y José”
Bangers like “Emilio y José” grab your attention and don’t let go until the song is over and only artists as charismatic as Rosaly Rubio can take them to the next level. The Dominican artist delivers an anthem about cold hard cash over a viciously hard drill beat, handing out hook after hook as if they were going out of style. Lapiz Conciente makes an appearance to deliver capital B bars and take the song home. In the end, there’s no doubt about Rubio being the boss. – Marcos Hassan
Cauty, Marconi Impara – “Brickell”
The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Cauty captures a whole action film under four minutes in this tip-toeing trap single with Marconi Impara. Both artists’ verses are almost competing with one another, embodying a flow that aggressively boasts money, sex — and basically having the best of it all. That is until they meet someone who takes their ego to the next level: a woman who challenges their bluff and encourages the duo to plan a scam to collect a rich man’s money. In doing so, you get caught up in a Grand Theft Auto-inspired story that ends with them celebrating their money with champagne — all because of a woman’s mastermind. I know that’s right. — Jeanette Hernandez
Adriel.sfx – “AlwaysInbetA”
After nearly two years of collaborations plunging into sonic realms of R&B and indie pop, Dominican electronic explorer Adriel.sfx has returned to his glitchy, jagged roots with his new EP Always in beta. The thrilling title track unfolds like an abstract idea in constant motion, undefinable yet fascinating, drawing from IDM and chiptune to create a prismatic experience that isn’t exactly danceable, but too effervescent for one to stand still. – Richard Villegas
Baco Exu do Blues – “Dois Amores”
Only a month into 2022, Salvador, Bahia rapper Baco Exu do Blues already left a high mark in Brazilian hip-hop with his latest album QVVJFA?, the awaited follow-up to 2018’s Bluesman. “Dois Amores” stands out amongst its 12 tracks with its elegant, driving production and Umbanda music samples, as it dives into the exploration of love he undertakes on the album by reflecting on his relationship with his city, with other people, his spirituality, and himself. – Cheky
Beéle feat. Blessd – “Enchulao”
Dropping in the days leading up to Valentine’s day, emerging talents Beéle and Blessd release an affection-fueled dance track soundtracked by island dance rhythms, punching bass and the burning desire that comes with the early days of finding yourself falling in love. With the production help of the inimitable Ovy on the Drums, the single finds a perfect intersection of dance and reggaeton music, combining to create a fresh new super force of danceable music. Whether you’re finding yourself planning to serenade a partner or spending time loving yourself, this is a perfect song to add to any romance playlist when you just can’t get that person out of your head. – Jeanette Diaz
Alex Ferreira feat. Vanessa Zamora – “Hubo Algo”
The bittersweet feelings that come with reflecting on a relationship that never quite materialized and wasn’t ever formally defined by a label (los “casi algo,” or those dreaded situationships, if you will) are always difficult to put into words. On “Hubo Algo,” acoustic balladeer Alex Ferreira teams up with Mexican multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Vanessa Zamora to tease out those emotions. The result is a trebly and gleaming, pop-oriented melody sustained by Zamora’s velvet-smooth vocals and Ferreira’s soulful, aching-yet-soothing croons. — Nayeli Portillo
riela – “Sola”
The opening track of her upcoming sophomore EP llorar y perrear, “sola” quickly establishes the sultry voice and heartful emotions that riela offers listeners. The Miami-based singer, born to Panamanian and Cuban immigrant parents, proudly puts her Spanglish lyrics front ‘n’ center as a hallmark of her music. Her ode to self-love might be an oft-repeated message in music nowadays, but that’s the result of a new generation’s increased appreciation of the sentiment. Because as the saying goes, “Mejor sola que mal acompañada,” and riela’s song makes it a whole vibe. — Juan J. Arroyo
Pehuenche – “Dos Amantes” (LÁZARO Remix)
Over the course of his latest album cycle, we’ve gotten to know Mexican singer-songwriter Pehuenche through visceral songwriting and buoyant, organic guitar melodies. But pushing full throttle into the atmospheric nature of his music, electronic producer Lázaro (a.k.a. lzr0) has given a mind-bending remix treatment to Pehueche’s 2021 single “Dos Amantes.” The track’s sonic textures convulse between ambient and drum & bass, laying out a throbbing canvas for the singer’s soaring, ecstatic vocals. – Richard Villegas
Madi Díaz, Waxahatchee – “Resentment (New Feelings Version)”
“Resentment” has been a heartbreaker of a ballad since Madi Diaz first released it, a slow country track that dealt with difficult feelings head-on. And yet, something intrinsically magical happens in this new version. Inviting indie-rock stalwart Katie Crutchfield, aka Waxahatchee, along for the ride, they take “Resentment” to sentimental folk-pop territory, transforming an already sad song into a yearning lament that captures a desire to find the light in a bleak situation, finding as it suggests, new feelings. – Marcos Hassan
The Linda Lindas – “Growing Up”
The Linda Lindas’ debut full-length, one of our Albums We Can’t-Wait to Hear in 2022 list, now has a title, a tracklist (yes, it includes “Racist, Sexist Boy”), and an April release date, plus a brand new single to get our adrenaline pumping. Sitting on the second spot in Growing Up is the title track, a muscular power-pop song about navigating their teenage years with good friends who have each other’s backs. We can feel the cynicism being chipped away from our adult hearts as the song progresses, and by the time it ends, we’re rejuvenated. – Cheky
Manu Manzo – “PobreDiablo (Interlude)”
Stripping out her bare feelings, Venezuelan-American Manu Manzo delivered a dramatic beginning to an emotional track specifically for those who want to get back with their ex-partners. It’s a heart-wrenching reminder that you’re better off without the toxic patterns of the past. With her soothing R&B vocals, entrancing synth beat, and background voice notes explaining her personal reasons as to why she isn’t going back, she has created an anthem to those who are indecisive when it comes to that late-night “I miss you” text. — Jeanette Hernandez
Black Pantera – “Padrão É o Caralho”
Ahead of their next album, the Brazilian power trio Black Pantera releases a hit-and-run single that screams right in the title: fuck the beauty standards! This is just another power stance taken by brothers Charles and Chaene Gama and drummer Rodrigo “Pancho.” Since 2014, they’ve been tackling Brazil’s endemic racism and social injustice with their music, infusing rock n’roll with a relentless verve and reviving a longtime lost spirit for those who want to fight the power with punchy riffs. – Felipe Maia
