New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Ke Personajes & J Balvin, “Celosa” (Sueños Globales/Capitol Records)
Argentina’s Ke Personajes and Colombia’s J Balvin join forces for the first time in “Celosa,” which translates to “jealous girl.” Produced by Luis Barrera Jr., the song starts off with a 40-second soft rock melody before smoothly transitioning into a riveting cumbia melody — staying true to Ke Personaje’s sound. Meanwhile, Balvin, who recently teamed up with Gilberto Santa Rosa for the captivating salsa “Misterio,” continues on his experimenting streak. Lyrically, “Celosa” is just that, an ode to those who overthink and are jealous. For reassurance, the artists sing in the chorus: “I blocked my ex for you, so you can relax/ even if you’re jealous, I still want you in my life/ I gave you my passwords to my social media, so you can remove those you don’t want me to follow.” The vibrant music video was directed by Fernando Lugo in Tijuana, Mexico. — JESSICA ROIZ
GALE, “Ciao!” (Sony Music Latin)
There’s a bluntness to GALE’s lyrics that makes her music refreshingly relatable. The Puerto Rican artist’s “Ciao!” is no exception and on this ’80s-influenced synth-pop anthem, she knows exactly what she she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it, setting an ultimatum for that indecisive significant other. “If you’re unsure, then I’d rather say ciao,” she sings decisively. Powered by that rebellious tone that is signature to GALE’s music, the track follows a handful of singles the singer-songwriter has released since dropping her 2023 debut album Lo Que No Te Dije. — GRISELDA FLORES
Grupo Cañaveral & Grupo Niche “Mi Mundo al Revés” (FONO)
Two giants of tropical music come together for this majestic fusion of salsa and cumbia at the highest level. The rhythmic beat takes us on a love story full of sensuality, something that these Colombian and Colombian-Mexican groups handle perfectly. “Mi Mundo al Revés” is the first single from volume 2 of Tributo a Una Leyenda Humberto Pabón, a compilation that pays tribute to the founder of Grupo Cañaveral and his great contribution to Latin music. — TERE AGUILERA
Yami Safdie, “Luis” (WEA Latina)
Yamie Safdie delivers a bold response to haters in “Luis,” a folk song driven by rhythmic guitar riffs in which she gives a fictitious name to those who do nothing but criticize from the comfort their cell phones. Transforming the trolls’ hatred into empowerment, the Argentine artist sweetly sings biting verses like: “Make up any movie you want/ And paint me any color/ Dress me up and make me a villain/ But that doesn’t change a thing/ You’re still alone on your couch.” The music video, starring popular Argentine streamer Martín Cirio, is full of humor and cultural references taken directly from the web. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Siddartha, “Tú y Yo y Tú”
With bossa nova-tinged flourishes and hints of psych-rock, Siddartha’s “Tú y Yo y Tú” captures the fiery intimacy of two souls colliding. Co-produced by Didi Gutman, Alejandro Pérez, Rul Velázquez and the artist himself, the track feels like a lush, moonlit dance of passion wrapped in warm, cinematic soundscapes. The music video pairs tribal ritualism with coastal dreaminess, leading viewers through a cabin lit by candlelight and a beach after sunset. A faint radio tune at the opening of the visual hints at a future song by him, according to a statement, creating anticipation for what the Mexican singer-songwriter has in store. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Sofia Monroy, “Alma Dividida” (Veo Sonora)
With “Alma Dividida,” Sofía Monroy puts into words a feeling shared by many immigrants: the difficulty of fitting completely into one place or identity. Over a Latin pop base marked by enveloping percussion and strings, the Mexican-born, Swedish-raised singer-songwriter sings about what it means to belong to two worlds at the same time. “If I’m from here and also from there/ I’ve never understood why pointing out/ who belongs to any place/ The things of having a double identity / Because my soul is a divided soul,” the chorus concludes honestly. — LUISA CALLE
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Comentarios