New Music Latin is a collection of the best new Latin songs and albums it recommends Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week's picks below.
Alex Zurdo, “En Hora Buena” (AZ Music)
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Alex Zurdo delivers a timely message of hope this Holy Week with his latest single, “En Hora Buena.” The track opens with his trademark acoustic guitar chords, gradually transitioning into a catchy mid-tempo beat that blends urban music with cumbia influences. Through his lyrical prowess, the rapper lets his melodious voice flow this time to express his gratitude for God's timely intervention and help in times of trouble. “Nothing fills me up like you fill me up/ You've come to a good time/ You're the peace that gives full life/ Following you was worth it,” Zurdo sings on the melodic chorus. — LOUISA CALLE
Beéle & Kany García, “Me Arriesgo Contigo” (Hear This Music LLC/5020 Records)
Beéle and Kany García join forces for a sweet pop track that chronicles an unlikely relationship that truly turns into a risk worth taking. “Me Arriesgo Contigo” opens with a sparse guitar note that serves as a canvas for Beéle's sensitive yet commanding vocals. Then it's García's turn to take charge — and she does so to a hip-swiveling bachata beat. But once they both join their vocals, the song's sound evolves into an explosive pop tune that powers the rest of the song. “I want to shout that I love you and take the risk with you, stripping away all the fears with kisses that we dress up,” they sing on the catchy chorus. — GRISELDA FLORES
Ramona & Daniel & Me Estás Matando, “Amargura”
Tijuana rockers Ramona and Mexico City indie-pop balladeers Daniel Me Estás Matando team up to revive the vintage folklore of a Mexican dark cabaret in this haunting, modern bolero. Offering a kind of vocal desperation that captures the essence of '70s-era Latin girls, their bittersweet wailing eases the anguish of longing for someone who doesn't appreciate the connection. “I've wanted so long to forget you and get all this bitterness off my chest/ Even though I know I still love you and it hurts in my soul,” they sing. Armed with dissonant violins, moody horns and silky percussion — with stellar production courtesy of Daniel Zepeda, Ivan de la Rioja, Jesús Guerrero and Omar Córdoba — “Amargura” is, in short, a seductive look at unrequited love. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Nelly Furtado & Juanes, “GALA y DALÍ” (Nelstar Entertainment/Universal Music Latino)
After releasing their first collaborative effort in 2002, Nelly Furtado and Juanes join forces once again in “GALA y DALÍ”. Unlike “Fotografía”, their heartfelt pop track from 22 years ago, their new single is a lovely bop that combines Calypso with other tropical rhythms. Just in time for summer, the flirty song finds the Canadian singer and Colombian artist singing about their sweet chemistry, comparing it to the bond Salvador Dali and his wife Gala had. The song also samples their 2002 hit, which reached No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and its lyrics cleverly mention how “since 2002, Nelly's been in love” and keeps their photo up. The music video further shows Furtado and Juanes' professional connection in the recording studio, as they sing, dance and even share an anecdote from the first time they appeared together at an awards show more than two decades ago. — JESSICA ROSE
Carin León & Leon Bridges, “It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)” (Socios Music)
A month after dueting with Kane Brown on the historic crossover between country and Mexican music “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” Carin León continues to experiment with new collaborators and styles. This time, the Música mexicana star is joined by American R&B singer Leon Bridges for “It Was Always You (Siempre Fueiste Tú), a bilingual track produced by Edgar Barrera and Casta about an ex who didn't appreciate their love. “Your I gave my heart and you didn't give a damn/ I sent them to hell for your love/ And you're never happy, no,” León sings softly in Spanish before the catchy mid-tempo chorus: “Maybe it's you (maybe it's you) / The reason, the reason for all my pain.”
“This song with my friend Leon [Bridges] it's very important to me,” Leon said in a press release. “It's another great moment for American roots music and Mexican music, bringing together two languages that, despite having so much in common, need music to express their solidarity.” The song comes with a graphic music video shot in his native Sonora, Mexico, directed by Willy Rodríguez. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
The Avengers, The Academy: Second Mission (Warner Music Latina/Rich Music)
Five years later The Academy released in 2019, Avengers — a reggaatón collective consisting of Dalex, Dímelo Flow, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavarez and Sech — has finally released its next album. Segunda Misión (Second Mission). The new set features nine brand new tracks, featuring collaborations with renowned artists such as Myke Towers, Yandel, Maria Becerra, Arcángel, Eladio Carrión and Natti Natasha. Co-produced by Dímelo Flow and Sech in collaboration with other reggaetón creators, this “combi completa” between Panama, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Colombia brings to every beat the pure essence of reggaetón, in songs like “Flowhot ,” El Royce,” “Amiga” and “Si si si si.” — INGRID FAJARDO
Hear more suggestions from Latin editors in the playlist below:
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/best-new-latin-music-nelly-furtado-juanes-gala-dali-1235644664/
