16 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Tiago PZK to Xenia Rubinos
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 Tiago PZK, Xenia Rubinos, and Rafa Pabön. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Tiago PZK, Rvssian – “Sex & Love”
Tiago PZK enters his villain era on “Sex & Love,” made in collaboration with super producer Rvssian, the mastermind behind chart-toppers like Farruko and Bad Bunny’s “Krippy Kush.” The Argentinian rapper and singer adopts a full-on Matrix aesthetic and dons a black leather trench coat in the equally sleek and cinematic video for his latest single, giving a play-by-play of a hedonistic, love-turned-obsession. “Sex & Love” is dark dancefloor pop punctuated by booming electronics, a first for Tiago PZK, but hopefully not his last venture into these kinds of glossier and hooky productions. – Nayeli Portillo
Xenia Rubinos, El Individuo – “Día Libre en el Yanky”
Following an explosive performance at last weekend’s Pitchfork Festival and with the recent announcement she’ll be embarking on European and West Coast tours, there’s no doubt Xenia Rubinos is on a roll. This week, she released a reimagined version of “Working All The Time,” a standout from her 2021 LP Una Rosa, re-titled as “Día Libre en el Yanky.” It features hype-man vocals from poet/actor Modesto Flaco Jimenez and a stirring cypher from Cuban rapper El Individuo. The effervescent track also includes keys from Argentinian pianist Leon Genovese and guitar from Dominican fusion prodigy Yasser Tejeda, resulting in an all-star ode to hard-won come-ups and vibey summer jams. – Richard Villegas
Luísa Sonza – “CACHORRINHAS”
Brazilian pop singer Luísa Sonza loves her dogs Gisele, Duda, and Britney — the popstars and top model names are no coincidence. She loves the trio so much that she even made a song for them. In “Cachorrinhas,” Sonza shouts out to her beloved pets as the mirror of her own personalities: the easygoing girl, the sassy woman, and the powerful diva. For that task, Sonza gathered a team of Brazilian producers and music from a colorful range of pop music. The duo Tropkillaz gives the baile funk-ish trap vibes to the song, the R&B singer Hodari makes it smooth, and musicians Diggo Martins and Elana Dara drop the lines and melodies to Sonza’s vocals, all of that into a good blend. — Felipe Maia
Rafa Pabön – “Eclipse Lunar”
Following “Panty Azul,” the Puerto Rican artist, songwriter, and activist Rafa Pabön unveils “Eclipse Lunar,” a sensual reggaeton track that lyrically captures a nostalgic sentiment of missing someone. The Rike Music-produced single infuses reggaeton pop and live band influences by incorporating drums and a groovy bass rhythm. It’s the first taste of his forthcoming EP, Dial Up, due in Oct. The Karla Read and Mariela Pabon-directed video features multi-colored silhouettes of the artist and a dancer. Towards the end we finally see the two meet, unlocking an evocative feeling that fittingly reinforces the lyrics. – Jeanette Hernandez
Ambar Lucid – “Timeless”
Mexican-Dominican artist Ambar Lucid made a stop at the popular COLORS studios to lay down a version of “Timeless,” her new track and third single from her upcoming sophomore album Estrella. This ethereal bilingual track is a psychedelic-splashed R&B jam produced by frequent collaborators The Wavys, and it features Ambar Lucid back in her Estrella alter ego, passionately crooning about instant connections that transcend time and space, be it with a person or even yourself. – Cheky
El Gran Poder De Diosa – “Reloj de Arena”
Dominican Republic’s El Gran Poder De Diosa is ready to take the homegrown sounds of merengue to the next level by giving them a fresh spin. Anchored by the trademark rhythm of the genre, the band injects funky electric guitar, house-inspired bass, and fuzzy synth lines to give “Reloj de Arena” its own flavor. Unexpected elements come in and out of the mix to keep listeners on their feet, raising the energy and the temperature of the room. With such a calling card, El Gran Poder De Diosa are on their way to bigger, more ambitious things.—Marcos Hassan
ZTVZ – “Una Noche Más”
Less than a year after their debut self-titled LP, Puerto Rican electropop band ZTVZ are revving up for their sophomore outing due later this year. The new single, “Una Noche Más,” continues to toe the line they’ve successfully navigated before by incorporating elements of funk, pop, and dance music around hazy vocals that linger like a sonic mirage. The duo, two brothers whose backgrounds include degrees in Physics and Astronomy before venturing into music, are dedicated to making music that feels like the soundtrack to a sojourn through space, and this new offering is no different. But as they remind you, sometimes the loveliest constellations are the ones formed between two people. — Juan J. Arroyo
Lucrecia Dalt – “Atemporal”
Colombian experimentalist musician Lucrecia Dalt brings in “Atemporal,” a sci-fi story about an alien visitor on Earth named Preta and their contacts with local inhabitant Cuc Clementi. It’s a surrealist tale soundtracked by tropical rhythms that dance with modular synths narrating an experience disrupting the conveniences of outer space stories in mainstream media. The track has traditional drum patterns brought by Alex Lázaro, Dalt’s friend and regular collaborator, which deliver a provocative eeriness while preparing the ears for the singer’s smooth and melodic vocals. All combined, it’s a trippy fever dream out of Colombia’s Magical Realism. – Gabriel Leão
Young Miko – “Bi”
Last year, queer rapper Young Miko emerged from Añasco, Puerto Rico, and put on her best game face in the playful heavy-hitter, “105 Freestyle.” “Bi,” the third single from the up-and-coming rapper’s debut EP TRAP KITTY alternates between steamy, slow-groove reggaeton and a dense, grimy trap beat as the rapper flaunts her brazen, unapologetic attitude some more. Puerto Rican trap star Brray swoops in and brings up the boast factor on what may easily end up being Young Miko’s next viral track. – Nayeli Portillo
Depressiego – “Madrid”
After spending the past year working on new material and re-conceptualizing his sugar-coated pop persona, Monterrey heartthrob Depressiego has returned to the spotlight with an edgy new single titled “Madrid.” Filled with thumping bass lines and longing vocals, the track is accompanied by a gritty music video that recounts a wild night out clubbing, with substance-fueled sequences alongside busy highways and poignant reminders that even on a crowded dance floor, you can feel alone. – Richard Villegas
Josyara, Margareth Menezes – “LadoAlado”
“LadoAlado” is Josyara’s wholehearted letter about the struggles and joyfulness of Black women in Brazilian society. Whether overcoming racism or celebrating life, the singer shows that sorority is a need in these times. That’s the reason why she sought help from Margareth Menezes, one of the most important Brazilian singers and a key figure in Bahia’s ‘90s pop music. Josyara’s impressive acoustic guitar leads the way throughout the song. Its snaky lines and sharp chord shape the single as a post-modern samba afro, a complex patchwork of rumbling percussion and trembling cowbells with snaky acoustic guitars and groovy basslines. The sequenced drums that fill the beat gaps are followed by echoed and overdubbed vocals. — Felipe Maia
paopao, ROBI – “diablo”
The Puerto Rican artist paopao released “diablo” featuring ROBI. Her second single off her debut EP encapsulates her signature “melancholic perreo,” a blend of reggaeton coated with emotional lyrics. In this specific track, we follow a story of a breakup due to the relationship only being about the physical and lacking the emotional side. The Daniel Bomb-directed music video exposes the two artists in minimalistic squares, confessing the reasons why the relationship failed. With the danceable yet heartfelt song, paopao demonstrates once again why she’s quickly becoming one of RichMusic’s most exciting artists to look out for. – Jeanette Hernandez
Charlotte Dos Santos – “Filha Do Sol”
Norwegian-born Charlotte Dos Santos is set to drop her debut album MORFO next Oct., and she’s giving us a sneak peek with her latest single. “Filha Do Sol” is an interpolation of Edu Lobo’s “O Açoite Bateu.” Over a bed of delicious slow-motion bossa nova instrumentation, Dos Santos pays homage to her Afro-Brazilian roots, acknowledging the country’s history of slavery to paint a hopeful picture of an empowering future, which is finally reached figurately within the song with a powerful batucada-led outro that lifts our spirits. – Cheky
Fol De Rol – “Antiguosexpertos en Bombas”
As proven in the past few years by a handful of acts, rock can be as much a manifestation of external energy as much as it can be introspection. Mexico’s Fol De Rol manages to walk this fine line with their debut song by blending drums and electric guitars with electronics to send the listener into a frenzy. The motorik beat keeps a steady chug while the noise gets louder as the track dives headfirst into a cacophonic wall, giving a rush only the right rock song can give you. — Marcos Hassan
Marc Jonnz – “Mínimo”
Marc Jonnz has known what music he wanted to create since he was a young teen growing up a fan of Don Omar, Arcángel, and American hip-hop, and any spin of his tracks clues you into his creative vision. The Loíza native’s love for both genres informs his output, and the new single “Mínimo” shows off how far he’s come in honing his talents as a producer and rapper. A gloomy trap beat underscores Jonnz’s catchy bars, which bear the influence of modern Latine trap and vintage malianteo. The HASTA EL SEPELIO collective member already demonstrated once his knack for R&B with “Pantera,” and now edges forward with another hot track made to impress. — Juan J. Arroyo
Owerá – “Mbaraeté”
“Mbaraeté” comes now in its full form after having just a short part of it performed in the presence of world music legend Caetano Veloso in an HBO Max special earlier this year. The song, which also serves as the name of Owerá’s upcoming album, is a call for Indigenous people to keep their head up during the dreadful moment that they have been facing. The lyrics in Guarani language add depth to the plight, which are joined by Pará Rete, companion of Owerá, while the guitars bring a feeling of urgency to their voices. “Mbaraeté” is even more timely due to the assassination of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Araújo Pereira, as the world is now paying even more attention to what happens in Brazil. – Gabriel Leão
