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.
Luis R Conriquez, Meneo (K Music)
Luis R Conriquez may be a bonafide corridos hitmaker, but with Meneo, he doubles down on that versatility that has made him one of the most eclectic artists in regional Mexican music today. The nine-track LP, via K Music, opens with the reggaetón banger “Chula Venta,” featuring fellow música mexicana stars Fuerza Regida and Netón Vega. The song immediately sets that party tone that will further be fueled by dembow (“Meneo”), hip-hop (“Mexicano Soy”) and trap (“Relojito Cartier”).
With Meneo, the 29-year-old exemplifies and celebrates that duality that identifies the new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers who grew up amid the reggaetón explosion, and smartly adapted that swagger to propel their own Mexican movement. Singing urbano isn’t totally left field for Conriquez, whose scruffy and raw vocals sound right at home in this style, in the past he’s dabbled in the genre, so Meneo only expands his reach into that audience. — GRISELDA FLORES
Mau y Ricky, La Llave (Why Club Records)
Mau y Ricky close out the summer with an eight-track EP packed with good vibes and standout collaborations — including the previously released “samaná” with Danny Ocean and Yorghaki and “voltaje” with Boza, and new ones like “agua” with Elena Rose and “claroqno” with ROBI. From the first guitar chords on “libélulas,” the set’s opening song, to the electronic-tinged closing track “noche de luna” with LAGOS, the Montaner brothers deliver a joyful, luminous pop and continue showcasing their musical evolution after a year of achievements with their 2024 Latin Grammy-nominated album Hotel Caracas. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Hamilton, AFROROCKSTAR (Cigol Music Group/Elevate Records)
Hamilton has dropped his debut studio album, AFROROCKSTAR, with 21 musical gems that further solidify just that — his rock star status in the Afrobeats realm. The Cartagena-born, Medellín-based artist creatively laces the Afro-Caribbean and Amapiano (subgenre of South African house music) rhythms with, at times, electric guitars and breezy Kizomba melodies. The Colombian newcomer keeps his lyrics clean and uplifting, and for the most part, sings about love and how beautiful women are, as heard in “Gracias x Aparecer,” “Mi Reina, and “Besitos Dulces.”
Meanwhile, the opening title track features a heartfelt voice note from his mom, before Hamilton dedicates a sweet ode to her. The powerful “Y por ahí me dicen y que” follows, where the artist reflects on his humble origins and expresses gratitude for living what was once just a dream. Collaborators on AFROROCKSTAR include Ryan Castro, De La Ghetto and Farruko. — JESSICA ROIZ
Los Caligaris, Los Auténticos Decadentes & Banda El Recodo, “Mi Vida Sin Tu Vida” (KMS PRODUCCIONES SRL)
Argentina and Mexico, via Los Caligaris, Los Auténticos Decadentes and Banda El Recodo, unite in a song that makes everyone sing and dance, achieving a point of convergence through their trumpets. Each one maintains their style, making this a heartbreak song solely for its lyrics, because the joy and rhythm that it conveys make the breakup painless and even forgettable. This isn’t the first time Banda El Recodo has collaborated outside of the regional Mexican genre, but alongside two icons of rock en español, “Mi Vida Sin Tu Vida” has a special flavor. The video couldn’t be more fun, showing Mazatlán, Mexico, on one side and a parody of an Argentine TV show on the other. An excellent combination and a way to lift your spirits. – TERE AGUILERA
Yeison Jiménez & Natalia Jiménez, “Pedazos” (Yeison Jiménez)
Yeison Jiménez hones in on his musical essence of heartbreak to collaborate with Natalia Jiménez and produce an emotionally resonant anthem that beautifully combines the vocal strength of both artists. This moving song delves into the complex struggle of wanting to end a relationship while facing the harsh truth of their circumstances. Written by César Inzunza and produced by Georgy Parra, this ballad is further enriched with vibrant mariachi instrumentation, adding a rich cultural layer to the overall sound. The heartfelt lyrics poignantly articulate the slow fading of their once bright connection, depicting the pain of watching a previously vibrant flame flicker and ultimately extinguish despite their sincere efforts to nurture and revive it over time. — INGRID FAJARDO
Los Tucanes de Tijuana & Chalino Sánchez, “Rigo Campos” (Primo Publishing/ Master Q Music/ Cintas Acuario)
Two legends, one song, and an AI resurrection — Los Tucanes de Tijuana team up with the ghostly genius of Chalino Sánchez for the reboot of “Rigo Campos,” a narcocorrido dripping with violence, prosthetic arms, and cartel lore. Frontman Mario Quintero Lara swaps verses with a digitally reincarnated Chalino, proving that not even death nor bans in 10 Mexican states can silence the corrido spirit. The music video is a surreal AI marvel — reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino fever dream — blurring the lines between the past and future while showcasing the swagger of narco-cinema. As governments crack down on narcocorridos, this collaboration serves as a defiant song for the genre, holding up a mirror to the chaos it both glorifies and critiques. Who knew corridos would become such cutting-edge resistance, or cutting-edge trouble? — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Pablo Alborán & Indiara Sfair, “Vámonos de Aquí” (Warner Music Spain)
Alborán explores a new country side with this rollicking mix of rock, country and pop that nevertheless retains melodic flair. Like earlier single “Clickbait,” “Vámonos de Aquí” is a stylistic departure from Alborán’s more traditionally romantic fare, but it’s more immediately catchy from the very first rock guitar strum. It then goes into a decidedly country beat, complete with line dance choreography in the music video, and a delicious guitar solo. Alborán is experimenting for his new album, and we like this particular new test. — LEILA COBO
Silvana Estrada, “No Te Vayas Sin Saber” (Glassnote Music)
As the fourth single from her upcoming album Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, Silvana Estrada offers “No Te Vayas Sin Saber,” a farewell track filled with poetry, luminosity and exquisite beauty. The song, which begins with the soft sound of an acoustic guitar, transforms into an orchestral accompaniment with string arrangements by Roberto Verástegui. This is her favorite track from the album, according to the Mexican singer-songwriter herself, and its lyrics contain the title of her new LP (Spanish for “soft rains will come”), to be released in October. “No Te Vayas Sin Saber” is accompanied by a video directed by Estrada that conveys the same level of emotion. — NATALIA CANO
Tiago PZK, “Domingo” (WEA Latina)
Tiago PZK continues to demonstrate his versatility, this time with a flavorful cumbia filled with melancholy. In “Domingo,” the Argentine musician’s silky voice shines as he sings about the longing for a lost love. “I don’t know what it is about Sunday/ That makes me miss you every week/ And makes me doubt if it was right to stop loving you… Let this day end/ Because I’m one tequila away from calling you,” he sings in part of the lyrics, revealing a more vulnerable and introspective side of the artist. – S.R.A.
Lenier & Costa Azul, “Maquillaje” (JEM Records)
In a first collaborative effort, but also historic for the music scene in Nicaragua, Lenier joined forces with Costa Azul in “Maquillaje.” Produced by J-Prod and penned by the Cuban singer-songwriter himself, the track is an urban-tinged romantic cumbia that best introduces Costa Azul — a renowned Nicaraguan tropical musical group also called “El Imperio de la Cumbia” — on an international scale. Powered by Lenier’s sugary, raspy vocals and the eloquent harmonies by Fred, Oscar and Omar (Costa Azul’s vocalists), “Maquillaje” is a beautiful song about loving someone in a transparent and honest way. “The heart doesn’t need makeup/ Nor to invent a character, when it comes to love/ The heart is so crazy, so brave/ That it goes against the current, when it’s right,” says the heartfelt chorus. — J.R.
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
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