<\/p>\n
(Elana Marie \/ For De Los )<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n It’s been a big year for m\u00fasica Mexicana. Corridos tumbados are still dominating the global charts<\/u><\/a>, with a handful of established stars leading the charge \u2014 among them Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma, Tito Double P, Junior H and genre newcomer Net\u00f3n Vega.<\/p>\n But amid this flurry of new releases, you might have missed an album or two worthy of recognition. Here are five m\u00fasica Mexicana records you should check out.<\/p>\n Chino Pacas has staked his claim to the spotlight following the release of his sophomore album, “Cristian,” which came out earlier this month. At just 18 years old, he’s amassed over 17 million monthly Spotify listeners, largely due to his uniquely gritty vocals that pair well with the genre’s thunderous instrumentation.<\/p>\n Now with “Cristian,” Chino Pacas looks to stand out among other corridos tumbados stars by exploring a range of sounds, including traditional banda rhythms in “No Es Un Juego”<\/u><\/a> (ft. Banda Otro Pedo) and the hip hop-infused “GTO”<\/u><\/a> (ft. Santa Fe Klan). (The latter’s music video is filmed in some iconic Boyle Heights locations, including Mexican deli Los Cinco Puntos and El Mercado’s Virgin Mary shrine.) Pacas also picks up the pace with his rendition of Tropical\u00edsimo Apache’s 1993 song “Ojitos Mentirosos,” a song currently trending on TikTok<\/u><\/a>; Pacas’ version has risen considerably on Mexico’s Top 50 chart on Spotify<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n After producing some of Fuerza Regida’s most iconic hits, Armenta seized the opportunity to release his own debut album, “Portate Bien,” in early August. At its core, the project captures the depths of love and heartache across 15 melancholic tracks, carried by the Mexican singer’s crisp and bold vocals.<\/p>\n Sonically, the LP is a blend of corridos tumbados with the occasional touch of reggaeton and harmonious pop, which shines brightest in tracks like “Ansiedad”<\/u><\/a> and “AbrilSinTi”<\/u><\/a> (ft. Alex Garcia). The crooner also plays with traditional bolero rhythms for his last track “Bolerito” (ft. Manuel Medrano). Already a growing hit for the singer-songwriter is the love-struck ballad “Pensando y Pensando<\/u><\/a>,” which deals with ruminating thoughts of love and loss.<\/p>\n Like many before him in the genre, newcomer Kane Rodriguez<\/u><\/a> first debuted his signature raspy vocals on TikTok, where he would upload acoustic covers of popular corridos. Now the Houston native is using the same platform to promote “La Batuta,” his first album of all-original songs, which was released in April.<\/p>\n In a genre obsessed with flashy gimmicks, Rodriguez sticks to the traditional corrido sound across 13 tracks, setting himself apart from the crowd with his raw vocals and prickly guitar style. Like most of his contemporaries, the 22-year-old explores themes of illicit activity, touting a risqu\u00e9 lifestyle in popular numbers like “La Batuta” and “Morro Ma\u00f1oso<\/u><\/a>.” In the fierce standout track “Se Volvieron Locos<\/u><\/a>,” he lambastes haters for not believing in him.<\/p>\n Clave Especial released their highly-anticipated debut studio album, “Mija No Te Asustes,” this past February \u2014 and the 16 hard-hitting tracks were well worth the wait. Since forming in 2021, the trio has transformed their tempered banda sound into a more boisterous affair, likely drawing inspiration from other acts on their label, Street Mob Records, led by Fuerza Regida<\/u><\/a> frontman, Jes\u00fas Ortiz Paz. The LP remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 11 weeks, peaking at No. 91<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n Clave Especial and Fuerza Regida join forces in their brassy mobster-core singles “Como Capo”<\/u><\/a> and “No Pasa Nada<\/u><\/a>.” The possessive love song “Tu Tu Tu,” which features vocalist Edgardo Nu\u00f1ez, reached the top of the Regional Mexican Airplay chart just this week \u2014 marking a first for the band from Salinas, Calif. Clave Especial is set to kick off their first U.S. headlining tour this fall.<\/p>\n In 2024, the rising corridos b\u00e9licos singer Chuy Montana<\/u><\/a> was murdered in Tijuana after singing songs that authorities said “displeased his aggressor.” It’s a tragic fate that has met other legendary Mexican singers, including the narcocorrido trailblazer Chalino Sanchez<\/a> in 1992. In June, Street Mob Records released Montana’s posthumous debut album, “No Fue Suerte,” after finishing his songs in close collaboration with his family.<\/p>\n Using his rugged vocal delivery, Montana peppers his lyrics with amusing vulgarities. His most popular song, “Qu\u00e9 Bendici\u00f3n<\/u><\/a>,” tells tales of his trials and tribulations, and his mother’s blessing that follows him wherever he goes \u2014 although some songs sound haunting now, in light of Montana’s passing. Among those songs is the accordion-riddled track “Perd\u00f3n Mam\u00e1”<\/u><\/a> featuring Juanpa Salazar, in which Montana foreshadows his tragic death and delivers a heartbreaking, preemptive apology to his grieving mother.<\/p>\nChino Pacas, “<\/b>Cristian”<\/h2>\n
Armenta, <\/b>“Portate Bien”<\/h2>\n
Kane Rodriguez, “La Batuta”<\/b><\/h2>\n
Clave Especial, “Mija No Te Asustes” <\/b><\/h2>\n
Chuy Montana, “No Fue Suerte” <\/b><\/h2>\n