14 New Songs to Listen to This Week From Santa Fe Klan to Eladio Carrión
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 Santa Fe Klan, Eladio Carrión, and Mariah Angeliq. Follow our playlist featuring these tracks and more on Spotify or Apple Music.
Santa Fe Klan feat. Reik – “Llévame”
It’s impossible not to root for Ángel Quezada, aka Santa Fe Klan, considering how quickly his rebellious rhymes and sometimes cumbia, sometimes norteño-tinted instrumentals have made their way to the global stage. Last month, the Guanajuato rapper and musician released the blistering “Soy” (made in collaboration with Marvel Studios) and revealed its highly-coveted spot on the official Wakanda Forever Prologue EP tracklist. On “Llévame,” the latest from his new album Mundo, the 22-year-old takes a break from dosing out weighty, rasping bars and enlists Mexican pop rockers Reik for a melodic, acoustic guitar-backed single about an “impossible love” and working through life’s obstacles to keep it alive. – Nayeli Portillo
Eladio Carrión, YOVNGCHIMI & Hydro – “HELLCAT”
Eladio Carrión has proven to be one of the most eclectic and well-rounded artists of the current generation leading el movimiento. Yet, as “HELLCAT” proves, he’s still most at home spewing rhymes over dirty drum machines, gliding through the beat with ease and charisma. Here, he sounds both menacing and having a total ball with his bilingual word schemes, while his co-conspirators YOVNGCHIMI and Hydro also take their turns in the spotlight with energy and charm. “HELLCAT” is all catchiness and dirty rhythm, a rare combination that only someone like Eladio can achieve. — Marcos Hassan
Abraxas – “Sunrise State (Of Mind)”
Uruguayan musician and former Los Bitchos member Carolina Faruolo joined forces with Night Beats’ Danny Lee Blackwell to bring us their trippy new project Abraxas. They just debuted the radiant “Sunrise State (Of Mind),” the first track off their upcoming first full-length Monte Carlo, transporting us to the desert to experience a psych-cumbia mirage that charms us with mesmerizing guitar melodies and otherworldly vocals. – Cheky
Jossef, Mariah Angeliq, Brray – “Sin Perse”
The Puerto Rican artist Jossef enlisted Mariah Angeliq and Brray on his newest summer reggaeton pop joint, “Sin Perse.” The tune highlights Jossef’s signature auto-tune vocal, Angeliq’s unique and flirty sensuality, and Brray’s distinctive flow. As far as the video goes, it follows the trio at a nightclub where Jossef’s performing. The video captures them enjoying a classic night out at the crowded, energetic club. It goes without saying that “Sin Perse” is one of those songs you’ll likely hear when you’re getting into a party mode. – Jeanette Hernandez
HF Diez x Mr. HumA – “Cubana”
HF Diez has long been a peer and producer’s favorite in Puerto Rico’s indie rap scene and is now taking the first big strides towards elevating his name amongst fans of the genre as well. His EP, Planet X, dropped last month and featured some of his best output yet; highlighting his grungy-yet-chill take on trap and alt-R&B. “Cubana” teams him up with Mr. HumA, who adds his own dose of cocksure braggadocio to an already boastful track. HF Diez isn’t done here though, as he has a follow-up complimentary EP out this week as well, titled Lunático, which will side-step features and put the full spotlight on his solo rising talents. — Juan J. Arroyo
Natalia Matos – “Nave do Tempo”
Returning to the spotlight five years after her last LP, Brazilian singer-songwriter Natalia Matos has unveiled her third studio album Sempre Que Chover, Lembra De Mim; a breezy collection of pop ballads infused with synthpop and tecnobrega. Early singles “Doce Feroz” and “Está Nos Mares” bring some fresh bite to Matos’ gentle songwriting, embracing a bolder, sultrier vocal delivery. Meanwhile, new album highlights like “Nave do Tempo” add nostalgia to the equation with loungey bossa nova percussion and psychedelic synths, ruminating on the fleeting nature of all things, from romance to life itself. – Richard Villegas
Marina – “Maldade”
“Maldade” is a sultry R&B joint by young Brazilian singer Marina, aka Marina na Voz. Jamming on a lo-slung, uncomplicated beat made out of boom-bap drums, claps, and ear-tingling keys, the 20-something singer plays around with vocals taking no big risks. Timidly but assured, Marina doesn’t hide her influences, and the Kelani mention in the lyrics is just a nod among several other new and old school R&B artists felt within her music — in which the full potential is yet to come. — Felipe Maia.
Jessie Reyez – “Mutual Friends”
Jessie Reyez may have endured that once-in-a-lifetime kind of heartache, but she gets the last laugh on her latest single, “Mutual Friends.” Despite its candy-coated pop stylings, the Colombian-Canadian singer tears a no-good ex to shreds and calls out that meddling mutual friend in this merciless breakup anthem. Reyez claps back with an unwavering sense of sass and incisive one-liners that easily match the energy in Taylor Swift’s infamous kiss-offs: “And guess what? Your karma’s that you love me still.” – Nayeli Portillo
Cauty, Zion & Lennox – “Ponle Dembow”
Maybe there’s something about the beat, or maybe it’s the presence of legends Zion & Lennox bringing their flavor to the track. Or maybe there’s just something in the air. Whatever the reason, “Ponle Dembow” feels both like a throwback to the golden age of reggaeton and a great entry to best tracks to perrear to in 2022. Cauty plays the host and shows us the way around the DJ Pope-produced beat to talk about horny and fun things after which La Zeta y La Ele bring their magic to the mix, resulting in an irresistible combination of charisma and slickness. — Marcos Hassan
Columpios al Suelo – “La Risa Drilarisa”
Included in their forthcoming album set to drop later this year, “La Risa Drilarisa” is Chilean band Columpios al Suelo’s intense new single, an art-rock number that creates an exhilarating experience by experimenting with dynamics and structure. At first, it forecasts a post-hardcore drop using machine gun-like drumming, clean arpeggios, and a bed of distortion, only to end up turning into an ever-growing, beautifully crafted ‘90s alternative moment. But right when we get comfortable, we’re ejected right into a kind of chaos that Kim Gordon would approve of. Does anyone know what just happened? – Cheky
Flaco el Jandro – “Me Matas”
Following his last release, “No Te Pido Nada,” the catchy sierreño track “Me Matas” is your classic song about a passionate over-the-top infatuation. The Chicano artist Flaco el Jandro captures the nostalgia of a typical norteño tune with the acoustic instruments, all while he delivers lyrics about a toxic relationship. He describes a bittersweet love that has its ups and downs, but that at the end of the day, he can’t live without it. This banda-infused track is part of his second album that’s titled Nada te Pido, which experiments not only with banda and sierreño, but also incorporates elements of jazz, boleros, and the ’60s and ’70s “romantic” era. – Jeanette Hernandez
ACIDD x Mike Rodz – “Mike de amorES”
Producer ACIDD’s debut EP, amorES agua, features a bevy of heart pumpin’ and head bob-inducing beats ranging from deep house to dancehall. Standouts like “Flores del Ego” go toe-to-toe with what’s churned out by some of the biggest names in the industry, underlining the promise found in the album’s seven tracks. The closer, “Mike de amorES” is a rewind to mid-aughts reggaetón that features indie rap artist Mike Rodz firing off fast and loose rhymes about wooing the girl of your dreams. In an industry that increasingly values and seeks multifaceted talents, ACIDD’s aural CV showcases his range for enterprising listeners. — Juan J. Arroyo
Sebastian Maria – “Juego de Cambios”
The latest release from experimental dance music label APOCALIPSIS comes with Sebastian Maria’s brand new Sonoras EP, a thumping, grinding melange of techno, noise, and chaotic percussion. On EP opener “Juego de Cambios,” the Colombian-American producer delivers a resonant mission statement for his distinct brand of maximalist club music. Pounding kicks meet glitchy synth effects and pitched-up vocals, chopped up and reconfigured to create a genre-defying soundtrack for substance-fueled twirling. –– Richard Villegas
Aretuza Lovi – “Drama”
Amongst several cultural hallmarks that shaped the early 2000s, local versions of international hits have a special place in the heart of Brazilians. Indeed, this practice is found all over Latin America, but in Brazil, this sort of organic remix is almost mandatory for local forró bands. That’s exactly what Aretuza Lovi did in “Drama.” Revamping Magic Box’s “If You…,” a top-charter in national radios back then, the singer unleashes a song that sets the tone of her new album, Borogodó. With a cheek-in-tongue attitude, unleashing lyrics just as bossy as fun, she’s unapologetically cheesy and fun. — Felipe Maia
