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This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin roundup and playlist — a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — are powered by new music from Omar Montes (in collaboration with Nicky Jam) Fonseca, Santiago Cruz, Banda MS‘ first collaborative effort with Gloria Trevi, and more. Latin supergroup Piso 21 unleashed a new 15-track […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Fonseca, “Canto a la Vida” (Sony Music Latin)
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To the sounds of vallenato, Colombian trop-pop icon Fonseca sings of good memories on the new single “Canto a la Vida.” The song is the second preview of his next album in which, as he revealed to Billboard Español during a Latin Music Week panel, he wants to pay tribute to Colombian music while rediscovering the sound of his beginnings. With clarinet, percussion, guacharaca, guitar and, of course, an accordion, Fonseca recreates a classic vallenato and distances himself from the pop sound of his most recent projects, while recounting his successes and recognizing that there is an important song that he needed to sing. “That is why today I sing to life / For the memories that are not forgotten / Let the memories live / Let the stories live / That today live in photographs,” he sings in the chorus. The accompanying video encapsulates a little piece of the essence of Colombia with its costumes, dances, instruments and other typical elements. Without a doubt, “Canto a la Vida” is a song to spread the feeling of gratitude for life and the experiences that make us who we are today. — LUISA CALLE
Santiago Cruz & TIMØ, “Golpes Contra Las Paredes” (Santiago Cruz)
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Colombian singer-songwriter Santiago Cruz recruited breakout trio TIMØ – currently nominated for a best new artist at the Latin Grammys – for a new heartbreak anthem, “Golpes Contra La Pared.” Written by Cruz and produced by Juan Pablo Vega, the indie pop-rock song addresses feelings of anger and frustration when imagining what an ex is doing with a new lover. “And here I am, banging against the walls, not accepting that you were and are no longer, it is no longer our room,” goes part of the chorus. Cruz said in a press release that he sat down to write the song “expressly with the idea that it would be a collaboration” with his TIMØ countrymen. “It’s an upbeat, powerful song, with some anger, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to play live,” he added. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Banda MS ft. Gloria Trevi, “Y Que Soporten” (Lizos Music)
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Banda MS is no stranger to outside-the-box collaborations, and their latest single is no exception. The band teams up with pop queen Gloria Trevi for “Y Que Soporten,” marking the first collab between the Mexican powerhouses. To the tune of a traditional-leaning banda sinaloense song — with brassy instruments leading the way — Banda MS’ Alan Ramírez and Trevi trade verses about bumping into an ex who seemingly wants to restart a failed relationship. “If my love was ever his, then let him swallow his pride, it’s going to be super hard for him to find someone to replace me,” they declare. Banda MS has most recently collaborated with Ice Cube (“¿Cuáles Fronteras?”), Yahritza y Su Esencia (“Solo Que Lo Dudes”) and Fuerza Regida (“Santo Patrón”). — GRISELDA FLORES
Omar Montes & Nicky Jam, “Oye BB” (Sony Music Latin)
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In a first collaborative effort that was made possible by a tattoo artist-friend they have in common Omar Montes and Nicky Jam unleash “Oye BB.” Produced by Tunvao, Jota Rosa and Jon Leone, the song is a hard-hitting, fast-paced reggaeton beat that perfectly interlaces Montes’ dark, raspy vocals with the Puerto Rican artist’s more sugary tones. In “Oye BB,” the breakout Spanish star and Jam are trying to seek the attention of the girl they like: “I’m only asking for one percent and I’ll give you my heart,” chants Montes. The chorus is more flirtatious, where both acts sing, “Hey, baby, you smell delicious/ But you’ll be more delicious once I taste you/ Hey, baby, every weekend/ I’d do it to you better than the last so that you stay.” A music video directed by Borkinson features the two artists at a house party. — JESSICA ROIZ
Dawer x Damper, “Bochinche” ft. Miracali (Discos Fiera)
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Tearing through the invigorating, scant beats informed by the sweltering vibes of Colombia’s Pacific coast, brothers Dawer x Damper arrive with “Bochinche,” featuring Miracali. Bolstered by their laid-back but assertive rap bars, the song title can be interpreted as a kind of gossip in Colombian slang — the theme around the group’s upcoming mixtape, which they announced today to arrive early 2024. “When something happens on the corner, everybody peeks out, everybody wants to know,” Dawer explains in a press release. “The neighbor, even though she’s in the kitchen making the sancocho, sticks her head out the window to find out. In this song, we talk a little about the neighborhood, about how the street behaves, how our city behaves, more so in our Aguablanca neighborhood in Cali.” The single also stars another pair of siblings, Lil Keren and Young Kali, from the group’s local scene in Cali. The Afro-Colombian duo are currently nominated for best long-form music video for their 2022 album Donde Machi. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Stream the New Music Latin playlist below:
Karol G will perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, taking place Sunday, Nov. 19. The Colombian hitmaker — who’s had a massive year, scoring her first Billboard 200 leader with Mañana Será Bonito — is set to perform a trio of songs.
The global star is up for five Billboard Music Awards, including top Latin artist, top Latin female artist, top Latin touring artist, top Latin album (Mañana Será Bonito) and top Latin song (“TQG” with Shakira). Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito, released in February, made history as the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200. The set includes her unprecedented collaboration with Shakira, “TQG,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. This year, Karol also went on her first-ever U.S. stadium tour, which included stops in major markets such as Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Earlier this week, Peso Pluma — also up for top Latin artist — was announced as a performer for the 2023 BBMAs. The Mexican star will perform “Rubicón” with a special guest appearance by boxing legend Mike Tyson. NewJeans and Bebe Rexha & David Guetta have also been announced as performers.
With nods in 20 categories, Taylor Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 BBMAs. Morgan Wallen and SZA are runners-up, with 17 entries each. They are followed by The Weeknd (16); Drake and Zach Bryan (14); Luke Combs (10); 21 Savage, Metro Boomin and Miley Cyrus (nine each); Beyoncé and Rema (seven each); Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma (six each); and Ariana Grande, David Guetta, Eslabon Armado, Karol G, NewJeans and Selena Gomez (five each). See the complete list of finalists here.
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy — which will be produced by dick clark productions — will have a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Spotify “Fans First,” which will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists. Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, Nov. 19. Billboard Music Awards performers will be revealed daily on BBMAs social channels.
One special BBMAs performance and two exclusive acceptance speeches will be hosted at hotel brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy will be providing a select group of fans access to attend five BBMAs performances via Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Other sponsors include Lexus, who will be surprising one lucky fan with VIP treatment with a private ride in a luxury Lexus vehicle to the one-of-a-kind performance.
Luck Ra’s “La Morocha,” featuring BM, logs a seventh week atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as the song leads the Nov. 11-dated list. With a new week in charge, “La Morocha” ties with Emilia, Big One and Callejero Fino’s “En La Intimidad” and LIT killah, Maria Becerra, FMK, Rusherking, Duki, Emilia, Tiago PZK […]
Chayanne dances his way back into the top 10 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart as Bailemos Otra Vez debuts at No. 3 on the Nov. 11-dated list. The set becomes his 15th top 10 and his first since 2014.
“It’s the greatest joy!” Chayanne tells Billboard. “I put heart, soul and all my energy into this project and it has rewarded me in the best way, which is the response from the public.”
Bailemos Otra Vez was released Oct. 27 via Sony Music Latin and launches on Latin Pop Albums with 4,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 2, according to Luminate.
Of the 4,000-unit sum, 3,000 derive from album sales. Streaming activity contributes to 1,000 units, which equals to 1.43 million official on-demand audio and video streams for the album’s songs in its first week, while a negligible amount of activity comes from track-equivalent units. On Latin Pop Albums, one unit equals to one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.
With Bailemos Otra Vez, Chayanne logs his 15th top 10 — and 12th consecutive — dating back to his self-titled 1989 album, the No. 3-peaking Chayanne. In fact, the Puerto Rican tracks a multi-decade streak of albums that reached the top 10 since the ’80s, a feat achieved by only one other artist, Rocio Durcal, who has placed top 10s in the ‘80s, ‘90s, ’00, ‘10s and ‘20s.
Here’s a review of Chayanne’s collection of top 10s on Latin Pop Albums spanning five decades:
Peak Date, Title, Peak Position, Weeks At No. 1Aug. 12, 1989, Chayanne, No. 3June 1, 1991, Tiempo De Vals, No. 2April 17, 1993, Provócame, No. 3March 4, 1995, Influencias, No. 12Nov. 9, 1996, Volver A Nacer, No. 15Jan. 9, 1999, Atado A Tu Amor, No. 3Dec. 16, 2000, Simplemente, No. 3April 13, 2002, Grandes Éxitos, No. 1, 10Sept. 13, 2003, Sincero, No. 1, oneApril 16, 2005, Desde Siempre, No. 2Oct. 15, 2005, Cautivo, No. 1, oneApril 28, 2007, Mi Tiempo, No. 2Nov. 15, 2008, Vivo, No. 5March 13, 2010, No Hay Imposible, No. 1, sevenFeb. 25, 2012, Solas Con Chayanne, No. 2Sept. 13, 2014, En Todo Estaré, No. 1, oneNov. 11, 2023, Bailemos Otra Vez, No. 3
Beyond his Latin Pop Albums top 10 debut, Bailemos opens at No. 35 on Top Latin Albums, his first chart appearance since the No. 1-peaking En Todo Estaré en 2014.
Bailemos was preceded by two songs: “Te Amo y Punto,” which reached No. 6 high on Latin Pop Airplay in 2022, and “Bailando Bachata” which holds strong at No. 1 on Tropical Airplay for a 13th week. The latter ties with Marshmello and Manuel Turizo’s “El Merengue” for the most weeks at the lead there in 2023.
“I’ve always liked to have music and rhythms for all tastes,” Chayanne adds. “From this one, I love bachata. I have the tropical in my DNA, and with this album I wanted to wink at Mexico, a country that has always given me so much love and support, so I have a lot of faith in “Necesito Un Segundo.”
Regional Mexican star Carin León signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Billboard has learned. A leading force in the música mexicana genre, the Sonora-born singer-songwriter has established himself as one of Mexican music’s most versatile and eclectic artists today recording in norteño, banda, R&B and pop. “There is no […]
After seven years working for regional Mexican indie labels — including DEL Records and most recently AfinArte Music — and helping grow the música mexicana genre, industry veteran Maria Inés Sánchez has been appointed Sony Music Latin’s new vp of West Coast operations.
Based out of Los Angeles, Sánchez, who began her career over two decades ago with stints at Sony and Universal, will report directly to Esteban Geller, general manager of Sony Music U.S. Latin, and oversee a team that includes other new hires such as Gonzalo Herrerias, senior director A&R and label manager Juan Tapia.
With Sánchez’s appointment, the label doubles down on its dedication to support the genre, which has seen extraordinary global growth this past year alone. “Sony Music Latin is really committed on continuing this explosion,” Sánchez tells Billboard. “The commitment being that we have to support a new generations of artists and help develop them because these young artists will only continue to fuse and evolve the sound, which has helped the genre grow.”
With indie labels mainly driving the the genre’s surge, Sánchez says the key to keep pushing the genre forward will be creating key alliances between major labels and indies. Sony Music Latin has already entered partnerships with labels such as Lumbre Music (Yahritza y Su Esencia) and Rancho Humilde (Fuerza Regida).
“We saw Mexican music grow because artists started to collaborate,” explains Sánchez. “It’s the same thing if companies start joining forces. Major labels like Sony, we can reach a broader spectrum of the business in general. We have eyes where indie’s perhaps don’t with offices internationally, which help export the music and work in other key markets such as Latin America and Spain.”
It aligns with how Sony U.S. Latin president Alex Gallardo visualizes the label’s role in regional Mexican music today. “We want to be the best possible partner for any artist, label, manager, or any Mexican music project, for this we have reinforced the West Coast team, and we have a clear vision to take Mexican music as far as possible,” says Gallardo.
Sony U.S. Latin also has an alliance with Sony Music Mexico to work both countries, Mexico and the United States, as a “single market,” Gallardo explains.
Adding that, ultimately, the plan is to break regional Mexican music beyond those two countries and enter new markets throughout Latin America and Spain. “We have already taken steps like getting Christian Nodal to sell out a WiZink Center in Madrid for 15,000 people … In countries like Colombia, Chile or Spain [the genre] is entering little by little and I believe that the strength of Sony in all these markets should be focused on bringing this wonderful music that is coming out of this new wave of artists.”
Naming Sánchez as vp of West Coast operations, a role previously served by Manny Prado (now at Interscope), means having someone who has a “very complete vision of both the business and Mexican music” having experience in both indie and major labels. Plus, having a woman in charge is something that “makes us very happy,” adds Gallardo.
“As a woman, I bring passion and conviction to a genre that I respect and love,” says Sánchez. “I’m committed to keep fueling this música mexicana explosion and impacting on a bigger level.”
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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RBD’s songs get the regional Mexican treatment
RBD’s “Nuestro Amor” in banda? Yes, please. A number of regional Mexican artists, including Calibre 50, Chiquis, Banda Carnaval, Banda Los Sebastianes de Saúl Plata, Los Socios del Ritmo, among others, have teamed up for Somos Rebeldes, a 15 songs-set, via Universal Music Group México, that pays tribute to the Latin pop band, which recently wrapped their epic reunion tour in the U.S. The LP drops ahead of RBD’s upcoming tour in Latin America, including shows in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Below, steam Somos Rebeldes, which includes reimagined versions of “Sólo Quédate en Silencio,” “Qué Hay Detrás” and “Sálvame.”
University of Miami’s new Knight Center for Music Innovation
Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Ben Folds and Jon Secada were among the stars in attendance for the opening of the Knight Center for Music Innovation at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Nov. 2. The cutting-edge, $36.5 million, 25,000 square foot music and technology center includes two performance spaces: the 200-seat Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Recital Hall, and the Thomas D. Hormel Music Innovation Stage, a versatile innovation space equipped with advanced recording, lighting, and broadcast technology. Performances in both spaces can also be seen via a state-of-the-art technology Windowcast system that broadcasts live in the surrounding plaza. Thursday night’s gala featured performances by Frost School alumni Jon Secada, Dawnn Lewis, and Lee Levin, among others. The gala was hosted by University of Miami Board of Trustees Chair Laurie Silvers, University of Miami President Julio Frenk, and Frost School of Music Dean Shelton G. Berg.
Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan arrive at the Frost School of Music’s Knight Center for Music Innovation Inauguration Gala at the University of Miami on November 2, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Frost School of Music at The University of Miami
Bésame Mucho in Texas
After launching the first edition of Bésame Mucho in Los Angeles last year, the festival is expanding and holding its first Bésame Mucho festival in Austin, Texas on March 2. Following the concept showcased in Los Angeles in December, the one-day event will feature an array of artists different genres, including rock, pop and música mexicana. The lineup includes headliners Los Tigres del Norte, Grupo Frontera, Caifanes, Cafe Tacvba, Gloria Trevi and Alejandra Guzmán. Others set to perform include Banda MS, El Tri and Belinda. The second Bésame Mucho festival in Los Angeles is still set to take place Dec. 2 at Dodger Stadium with headliners Maná, Los Bukis and Reik.
Alejandro Sanz to donate to those impacted by Hurricane Otis
Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz announced donations to benefit the victims of the devastating hurricane Otis in the beach resort of Acapulco and the Costa Grande region of Guerrero, in southern Mexico. Sanz said he will donate 800,000 Mexican pesos (about $45,540) to those affected by the powerful category 5 hurricane that hit Mexico’s Pacific coast on Oct. 25, his representative agency in Mexico, Ocesa Seitrack, said Wednesday (Nov. 1). The money will come from tickets sold at his recent concerts in the Mexican cities of Tijuana, Hermosillo, Culiacán and León, part of his Sanz En Vivo tour.
Laura Pausini talks Person of the Year
In a candid interview with Billboard Español, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini shared how she’s feeling just a few days out from being honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s 2023 Person of the Year. She will become the first artist born outside of Latin America or Spain to receive the accolade. On Nov. 15, on the eve of the 24th edition of the Latin Grammys — which for the first time leave the United States to take place in Seville, Spain — Pausini will be celebrated at a gala. “For 30 years I always say that I am the most Mexican, most Argentinian, most Spanish Italian… because I have grown up spending many days of my life with you,” Pausini said. “Maybe not my blood, but my soul, my ideas, my ideals, I have made them grow with yours, and I feel Latin.”
Read her interview here.
This week, our New Music Latin roundup — a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — is powered by new music from Don Omar — in collaboration with Luny Tunes and Wisin y Yandel — Silvestre Dangond and Sofía Reyes, who both released new albums, respectively. Marking a reunion between Don […]
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Sofía Reyes, MILAMORES (Warner Music Latina)
From Mal de Amores (bad heartbreaks) to Milamores (a thousand loves), Sofia Reyes embraces her growth and life lessons on her third studio album. Home to 14 tracks, the set kicks off with the 20-second “Florecer,” where, over the sound of birds chirping in a garden, Reyes says: “Joy where are you? Come help me wake up. Heal me with your song, heal me with your joy.”
The first official song is “La Batidora,” in collaboration with El Gran Silencio, where they lace Mexican cumbia sonidera with the Monterrey band’s fiery rap verses. “I put the bad vibes in a blender, pure happiness is trending now,” Reyes chants. On “Delirio,” a dreamy indie-pop track backed by synth melodies, Reyes takes listeners to a galaxy far away to remind us that we are bright as a star. Along those lines, MILAMORES is a feel-good album packed with inspirational lyrics about self-love and enjoying the simplicity of life.
Musically, the album delivers all sorts of rhythms meshed with Reyes’ pop essence: “Cobarde” is a romantic bachata featuring Beéle; “Altitud” is a futuristic reggaeton track with Ingratax; the title track is a heartfelt mariachi-meets-hip-hop song with Gera MX; “Gaia” is a chill reggae song featuring Delian; and “Noche de Sirenas” is a hard-hitting perreo, in collab with Mariah Angeliq. Other collaborators on the set include Danna Paola and Caloncho. MILAMORES follows Reyes’ albums Louder (2017) and Mal de Amores (2022). — JESSICA ROIZ
Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40, Radio Güira (Rimas Entertainment)
Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40 light up the party this week with Radio Güira, an EP of six songs presented, as its title indicates, in radio station style. “You are listening to Radio Güira, 4.40 FM,” Guerra narrates over a techno-beat at the beginning of “Mambo 23,” the first single and opener. “This EP has a different concept. Our purpose was to do something innovative,” Guerra explained in a press release. “We imagine a radio station playing 4.40 music in different parts of the world. We include calls, recipes, and IDs and the genres of mambo, bachata, and merengue. This was our dream for many months, and today we make it known!”
With six songs written and produced by the Dominican maestro, it is impossible not to move and smile to the rhythm of mambo, bachata (“DJ Bachata”), merengue (“La Noviecita” and “Como Me Enamora”), pambiche blues (“Te Invito a un Blues”) and even pop reggaeton (“Cositas de Amor”), all with elegant touches of genres such as jazz and rock, and the sweet, poetic lyrics for which the artist is known. It is, in short, a work that overflows with joy, humor and love. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, “SANDUNGA” (Sugar Cream Music)
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“Dale, dale, Don dale.” Don Omar is back with an irresistible reggaeton, which is a reunion of sorts: After over a decade, “SANDUNGA” brings together Don Omar with Wisin y Yandel and OG production duo Luny Tunes. Taking Don Omar back to his old-school reggaeton roots, reminiscent of the early 2000s, the song successfully blends the adrenaline-fueled formula that is rooted in reggaeton, resulting in an explosive sound that preserves the essence of música urbana. As for the meaning of the word, “sandunga” can mean many things, including describing someone’s spark or charisma. The historic reunion is part of the upcoming Don Omar Presenta: Back to Reggaeton EP. The song drops along with an epic four-minute music video, visually reflecting the track’s underworld vibe, which was shot in Miami and directed by Carlos Perez from Elastic People. — INGRID FAJARDO
Arthur Hanlon, Legados Pop (Sony Music Latin)
An American pianist with a Latin heart, Arthur Hanlon presents the second volume of his Legados album series, which began with Legados Bachata and, on this occasion, pays an emotional tribute to pop classics from the 2000s. Composed of six songs, Legados Pop includes a notable collaboration with emerging Mexican-American artist Mariangela (of the popular trio Camila) on the single “Todo Cambió.” The beautiful collaboration transports you to a golden era, both in the blues-tinged musical arrangements and in the accompanying video, that evokes those classic romantic scenes from the movies of yesteryear.
The EP also includes five instrumental pieces, where the piano’s versatility is the protagonist. Among them, “Noviembre Sin Ti” from Reik is cleverly fused with a piece of the melody from “Christmas Canon” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It also includes gems such as “Un Siglo Sin Ti” from Chayanne, “Mientes Tan Bien” from Sin Bandera, a bossa nova version of “Corazón Partío” by Alejandro Sanz with backing vocals in Portuguese, and “Vente Pa’ Ca” by Ricky Martin. Legados Pop includes classic songs that have conquered the hearts of a generation, with soft choruses to accompany you on that nostalgic journey. Hanlon will be on tour in early 2024 with Un Viaje Mágico De Piano: Arthur Hanlon and Friends. Presented by Loud and Live in collaboration with SBS, the tour will visit cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles. — LUISA CALLE
Silvestre Dangond, ‘Ta Malo (Sony Music Latin)
After dabbling with pop and tropical music, Silvestre Dangond returns firmly to his vallenato roots with an album that has contemporary edges, but is still traditional vallenato in its musical arrangements (and more importantly in its spirit). ‘Ta Malo includes tracks by 13 composers, a true nod to the notion that vallenato is a troubadour genre where the singer tells stories of the people. Among the writers is Dangond himself, who lends his personal life and love story to “La Vallenata.” Indeed, many tracks in ‘Ta Malo are romantic, but ultimately this is an album to party to, as highlighted by focus track “Bacano,” a feel-good romp. While Dangond’s music is impeccably executed, this is a celebration of vallenato as music to cry, drink and dance to. — LEILA COBO
Esteman, “PORNOSTALGIA” (Universal Music Group México)
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The play-on-words title of Esteman’s new song is intriguing enough to want to listen to it, yet the Colombian singer-songwriter manages to stay away from the raunchiness and place all bets on his usual romantic style, as he sings about the chemistry and passion between two people that keeps them coming back for more. “PORNOSTALGIA” is a delicate yet captivating bachata, which allows Esteman to step out of his electro-pop comfort zone his fans are now accustomed to hearing. “This song talks about a forbidden love that breaks with traditions and what is established, where desire, eroticism and nostalgia are present all the time,” he said about the track in a statement. — GRISELDA FLORES
Espectro Caudillo, La Liturgia del Tigre Blanco (Nacional Records)
In a climate where prominent Latin artists such as Peso Pluma and Fuerza Regida have been forced to cancel their Tijuana performances in response to menacing narco-banner threats, and where the grim specter of violence continues to cast a shadow over the nation, La Liturgia del Tigre Blanco emerges as a work of ever-increasing significance. This concept album by Tijuana/San Diego-bred producer Espectro Caudillo speaks to the pressing issues facing not only the music industry but also the freedom of journalists in Mexico. Fusing traditional northern Mexican sounds like brass-blaring banda and cumbia with dark electronica, Caudillo (real name: Reuben Torres) encapsulates the essence of the border city’s hybrid electronic styles, like Nortec and Ruidosón — the latter of which he helped pioneer as one-third of Los Macuanos in the early 2010s.
La Liturgia takes its creative spark from Daniel Salinas Basave’s 2013 book of the same name, which delves into the captivating narrative of Jorge Hank Rhon, a former Tijuana mayor with an enduring influence on the region. The 16 songs pay homage to a wide spectrum of events, spanning from the hedonism surrounding Rhon’s immersion into Tijuana’s social scene in the mid-1980s (“La Siniestra Extravagancia”) to the drug cartel conflicts and the murder of a journalist Hector “El Gato” Felix in 1988 (“04’20″88”) that still lingers as a haunting presence in Tijuana even now.
Then there’s “El Temible Grupo Jaguar”, with a music video that depicts a lone aspiring hitman in his apartment that undergoes a transformation from an ordinary man into an Aztec warrior jaguar. In an era where Latin artists grapple with threats and violence, Cadullo’s La Liturgia stands as a profound musical testament, blending traditional Mexican sounds with electronica to encapsulate the rich, often complex tapestry of Tijuana’s history. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Listen to the New Music Latin playlist below: