“Para Ti,” the only Spanish-language track on Cuco’s latest album Ridin’, may be a deep cut, but it delivers an emotional punch. Heartache drips from every note — a modern homage to the sentimental ballads of yesteryear, influenced by lowrider oldies and legends like Ralfi Pagan and Joe Bataan. With a lush blend of acoustic and electronic textures, Cuco resurrects the romance of yesterday, weaving dreamy “ooo”s in the choruses with shimmering synths and groovy basslines, courtesy of Sal Samano (Thee Sacred Souls). It’s a bittersweet serenade steeped in nostalgia and raw vulnerability. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Grupera queen Ana Bárbara and rising sibling trio Yahritza y Su Esencia debuted their collab at Billboard’s Latin Women In Music telecast in May, in a stunning live acoustic version that replicates the recording. It’s rare to hear artists perform, much less record, in such an exposed setting. “Besos Robados” is an acoustic ballad that features Yahritza’s high, piercing voice — perhaps the best among the new crop of regional Mexican singers — alongside Ana Bárbara’s pathos-filled contralto, singing over only the acoustic, sierreño guitars of Yahritza’s siblings. The vocal counterpart is as beautiful as it is surprising and immediately touching — a counterpart to everything else happening with the genre today. — LEILA COBO

American pianist Arthur Hanlon and Colombian singers Carlos Vives and Goyo join forces and genres in “GOODBYE,” a flavorful heartbreak track that fuses the Mississippi Delta’s blues with cumbia from Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Driven by guitar, piano and drums, the song features Vives and Goyo singing about the loss of a loved one, while Hanlon passionately accompanies their heartfelt performance. The collaboration — produced by Nicolás “Navi” de la Espriella and featured on Hanlon’s album 2 Manos 1 Mundo — not only works, it brings something original and special to the table. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

In a first collaborative effort, Colombian artists Miguel Bueno and Juan Duque teamed up for “Solcito.” Little did they know that the tune they officially released in March would become a viral hit. “Solcito,” with its pop-Afrobeats sound and feel-good lyrics, immediately connected with fans on social media. “You had to come to give me peace/ When you’re not here, everything goes wrong/ I have plans to stay forever/ and you be my queen,” goes the part of the track that generated its viral success. — JESSICA ROIZ

Fragility becomes a melody in “chica de cristal,” where heartbreak dissolves into just over three enthralling minutes of nostalgic dream-pop. Wrapped in airy steel string arpeggios and subdued drum beats, the Spanish singer at times evokes the glowing melancholia of ’70s icon Jeanette, her ethereal voice wandering through longing like a cloud. Judeline embraces loss with elegance, capturing the ache of relationships gone cold with understated beauty and haunting sincerity. — I.R.

In one of his most moving performances, Sebastián Yatra presented a powerful song that he initially saw as a form of protest. After sharing the idea with Uruguayan star Jorge Drexler, the song underwent a transformative shift, becoming more of a proposal song — a message inviting listeners to adopt a new perspective on life. The performance was made even more touching by the delicate voices of a children’s choir — who echoed the title of the song, “Amen” (meaning “to love), reflecting on the Bible’s teachings about loving one another. — INGRID FAJARDO

Beéle and Ovy on the Drums have found the secret sauce to creating viral hits — and “La Plena (W Sound 05)” is proof of that. The sensual Afrobeat, where they collaborate with Colombian online streamer and YouTuber, W Sound, is about a man who’s telling a girl everything he feels for her. “You’re the apple of my eye/ You’re everything I want […] Temptations, just like you/ Deserve sins like me,” Beéle sings in the track. “La Plena” scored all three acts their first No. 1 on Billboard Argentina Hot 100 this May. — J.R.

Like a storm brewing at sea, acoustic guitars echo as a lone trumpet pierces through. Then, Estevan Plazola’s gravelly voice emerges, sighing wistfully while delivering lyrics with flirty confidence. In his single “Vibrar+,” the Mexican singer-songwriter paints the picture of an opulent date: gifting Givenchy dresses and diamond earings — with “insurance in case you wanted to dive into the sea,” he sings, while extending invitations to friends to “vibe more.” With this track, the emerging artist showcases his talent for transforming each lyrical scene into a cinematic experience. — I.R.

A departure from his signature corridos tumbados and instrument-heavy sound, Peso takes a detour brilliantly guided by Mexican artist and producer duo RØZ. “Apaga la Luz” is a head-bobbing electronic track that showcases Peso’s vocal versatility — delivering a more intimate, almost whispered performance — and RØZ’s ability to create hypnotizing beats powered by euphoric melodies. The collaboration between the Mexican acts came about through an Instagram DM and the end result is an explosive team up. — GRISELDA FLORES

This potent dose of “Vitamina” instantly hooks listeners with its electrifying sound. Producer Jotta blends old-school reggaetón beats with fresh, modern flair, while Jombriel’s distinctively raspy vocals bring grit and intensity. Colombian newcomer DFZM energizes the track with dynamic rap verses and sharp lyrics, creating an explosive synergy against the song’s pulsating rhythms. — I.F.

When a band that represents the present of regional Mexican music joins forces with a Latin rock legend, the results are electrifying. “Me Retiro” is not only an unexpected collaboration between Grupo Frontera and Carlos Santana, but also a testament to the cultural evolution of Mexican music of quality and intergenerational relevance. Santana’s unmistakable electric guitar intertwines with the accordion in a harmonious melody at the end of the song, symbolizing the meeting of two memorable musical eras. — LUISA CALLE

How do you blend guitars that have a country twang with norteño accordion and the vibe of a ranchero ballad? By putting Carín León and Alejandro Fernández together for their first-ever collab. Fernández, Mexican music royalty, tackles this one with gusto and conviction, and León, in what he called a dream collab, brings to the forefront the poignancy of the ordinary: “No quiero escribirle así que quítenme el cellular” (“I don’t want to write her, so take my cell phone away”), he sings plaintively in the opening line. “Me Está Doliendo” is straightforward but beautifully and thoughtfully crafted, with each influence and arrangement in the right place. Here, simple makes perfect. — L. Cobo

Much has been said about Ángela Aguilar’s relationship with Christian Nodal so it’s not totally unfair to assume that, in this song, Aguilar takes ownership of that narrative, offering a glimpse of their love story. But in reality, this love story is as universal as it gets. “The wrong one is unlike anyone else and in my heart, he’s number one/ The world doesn’t understand us and whatever they say, he’s the right one,” the 21-year-old star sings evocatively over an equally emotional mariachi tune. The track opens her latest album Nadie Se Va Como Llegó. — G.F.

Argentine singer Yami Safdie joins forces with Colombian artist Camilo on “Querida Yo,” a heartfelt ballad celebrating personal empowerment and self-discovery. The track reflects on overcoming vulnerabilities and transforming them into strengths, offering listeners a message of hope and resilience. Safdie’s gentle vocals blend seamlessly with Camilo’s emotive delivery, creating an intimate and uplifting musical experience, akin to receiving advice from a close friend. — I.F.

In this folk song Silvana Estrada gathers the pieces of a broken relationship with a sensitivity that touches the heart. Written during the pandemic over a period of insomnia and loneliness following a breakup, “Como Un Pájaro” (meaning “Like a Bird”) creates an enveloping atmosphere, with a string arrangement courtesy of Roberto Verástegui and the evocative voice of the Mexican singer-songwriter intoning lyrics such as “And I, who am nothing more than a sea of ​​doubts/ Who stumbles alone with my shadows/ I sing to you like a bird in the mist/ And I regret everything we were.” The result is profoundly sublime and poetic. — S.R.A.

This stunning reimagining of Jeanette’s iconic 1981 hit, “Ojos Tristes” intertwines modern, nostalgic melodies with the enchanting vocals of Selena Gomez. This bilingual collaboration with Benny Blanco and The Marías — with frontwoman María Zardoya’s distinctive, warm vocals providing harmonies — yields a lovely track that breathes new life into the original. Gomez’s ethereal vocals soar throughout the song, beautifully complementing The Marías’ signature sound. — I.F.

Few songs capture the sting of betrayal with the tender precision of “Con Otra.” Cazzu turns heartbreak into art, weaving themes of deception and karmic justice into an unapologetic cumbia villera. Opening with cheers and synths evocative of ’70s Latin ballads, the track evolves into bold rhythms that feel undeniably bittersweet. With her tender, R&B-laced voice, the Argentine star delivers lines like “Te estás cuidando de la equivocada” (“You’re guarding against the wrong one”) that strike like a quiet revelation. Spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100, “Con Otra” resonates as an empowering anthem of resilience and self-worth. — I.R.

Xavi and Manuel Turizo’s “En Privado” is a surprising fusion between bachata (a tropical genre that Turizo has dominated) and Xavi’s signature tumbados románticos sound, produced by Andy Clay. The sensual tune — which peaked at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay Chart in June — is a dedication to “la mas chula del barrio” (the most beautiful girl in the block), with a lot of hard-to-decline invitations and exciting promises. “I’m going to steal you, I’m going to maintain you/ A night in Cancun, and the next in Dubai,” Turizo chants, while Xavi also proposes: “Everything you want, my sweetheart/ I’ll even erase the girls I have on Instagram.” — J.R.

Colombian star Fonseca and Venezuelan band Rawayana invite us to embrace the present and face life’s challenges with an optimistic attitude in this poetic vallenato pop tune. “If the world ends/ May this catches us together/ May the archaeologists of the future/ Don’t know if we were two or one,” says part of the chorus — a romantic, uplifting message that has stayed with us since its February release. — S.R.A

“Me Prometí” is one of those rare songs that captures the pain of heartbreak with as much rawness as beauty. 21-year-old Iván Cornejo delivers a vulnerable performance with a broken, sincere voice that stands out over the minimalist production, leaving room for silence and emotion. In a year saturated with formulaic sound bites, Cornejo takes the risk of being real, and it’s no coincidence that this has brought him to a mainstream audience, with his performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. — L. Calle

The only collaboration on Eslabon’s Vibras de Noche II, “Esa Noche” is one of the greatest representations of música mexicana today. Powered by signature sierreño guitars and huapango flair, Pedro Tovar’s melodic and delicate vocals offer the perfect contrast to Martínez’s bright and soaring vocals as they sing about that special night they spent with their respective lovers before a breakup. Tovar, frontman of Eslabon Armado, showcases his producer chops in this track modernizing regional Mexican sounds like huapango and incorporating them to the group’s sad sierreño vibe. — G.F.

There’s a serenity that Karol G transmitted in previous songs like “Provenza” and “S91,” and she does it again in “Milagros,” or miracles. The single, which is part of her Tomorrow Was Beautiful documentary, is a quintessential feel-good anthem that opens with bright quena (Andean flute) notes, setting the tone for the vibrant track about the miracles of life. Produced by Edgar Barrera and Lexus, the song goes full pop with elements of Peruvian folk incorporated throughout, serving as a teaser of what was to come in Karol’s new album Tropicoqueta, which takes listeners on a musical journey across Latin America. “Milagros” landed Karol her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Pop Songs chart. — G.F.

“Malboro Rojo” hits like a dose of pure adrenaline. With one of the most electrifying música mexicana leads of the year, the track captures Fuerza Regida at their gutsiest. JOP’s grit-soaked vocals resound with the conviction of someone who’s lived every lyric, while the musical arrangement — tight tuba, blazing trumpets, tololoche, and guitars — smoke through like a sonic warning shot. Though the group pushes boundaries on 111XPANTIA with experimental banjo and reggaetón hybrids, “Malboro Rojo” throws it back to their roots, reminiscent of the raw energy that first defined their rise to fame. It’s unapologetic, hard-hitting and impossible not to ride to. — I.R.

Sonically and lyrically, “Carita Linda” is a love letter to Puerto Rico, powered by a hypnotizing fusion of traditional bomba with urban beats. The song — which Rauw first premiered during his Cosa Nuestra Tour stop in Seattle — captures an instant connection between two souls who are meeting for the first time, and that deep yearning for eternal love. “Under the stars, the full moon/ You are my calm in this storm/ There are beautiful faces that leave marks/ And yours cannot be erased,” he chants in the lyrics. “Carita Linda” marks the Puerto Rican artist’s first single since the release of his Top Latin Albums chart-topping 2024 set, Cosa Nuestra. — J.R.

Bad Bunny has dabbled in merengue, dembow, bossa nova and other genres beyond urban, but truly surprised fans with his first-ever salsa single: “Baila Inolvidable,” part of his blockbuster album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Backed with rich live instrumentation — congas, piano, trumpets and all that jazz —from young musicians at Escuela Libre de Música in Puerto Rico, “Baile Inolvidable” is about a man who can’t forget the woman he loved, especially the one who taught him how to dance. “I thought I was going to get old with you,” a melancholy Bunny begins the track, before it transitions into a saucy salsa tune. “Baile Inolvidable” peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay in February, and is currently on its 12th week atop the Hot Tropical Songs chart. — J.R.