First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Sofia Reyes & Pedro Capó, “Casualidad” (Warner Music Latina)
Mexican singer-songwriter Sofia Reyes and Puerto Rican hitmaker Pedro Capó aren’t leaving anything up to chance on their new track “Casualidad,” fueled by a subtle-yet-irresistible reggaeton beat. The pair join forces for the track that narrates the story of two people that coincide at the same place and aren’t afraid of what comes next. “For me that is life,” Reyes said in a statement. “I don’t believe in coincidences and I like to think that the universe is always in our favor. [But] I think it is a blessing to be able to see and enjoy these coincidences, since it is what we have at that moment.” The collab was penned by Reyes, Capó, Jon Leone, Nicole Zignago and Daremola, and was produced by JonTheProducer. “This isn’t coincidence that both you and I are here, so let’s take advantage and worry less,” Reyes and Capó propose in the song’s hook. — GRISELDA FLORES
Dylan Fuentes, Arena (Interscope Records)
Dylan Fuentes just dropped Arena, a breezy and captivating EP with summer’s stamp of approval. Fuentes, who first got on the radar with his Latin R&B fusions, did not shy away from experimenting on this six-track production, reeling in Nigerian artist-producer Daramola. Kicking off with the electro-dancehall “Felicia,” a song about life lessons in love, both Fuentes and Daramola set the tone for their joint venture — a bilingual explosion of Latin American and African melodies. Each song is sultry and rhythmic in its own way, where fans will discover a world full of calypso, Afrobeats and other Caribbean flavors. Collaborations on Arena are with Danny Ocean and BEAM. — JESSICA ROIZ
Alexis y Fido, Barrio Canino (Part 1) (Universal Music Latino)
Puertor Rican duo Alexis & Fido, best known as “Los Reyes del Perreo,” released the first part of their new album, Barrio Canino. Home to seven tracks, the EP kicks off with “Te Reto,” joined by their long-time peer Yandel. The song is an informal invitation to “mover el esqueleto” (move your body to the music), in true Alexis y Fido fashion. The duo has kept their essence through their music, and Barrio Canino features their personal thumping beats mixed with Alexis’s signature freestyle rap. The set also counts with collaborations with Puerto Rican “El Gorilla,” a reggaeton artist with a very recognized tone of voice that gives another power for “Pikete Violento.” On the focus track, “De PG13 a Triple X,” the duo is joined by Latin trap artist Miky Woodz. — INGRID FAJARDO
Boza, En La Luna (Sony Music Latin)
Boza, who became a household name in his native Panama before going viral with his 2020 “Hecha Pa’ Mi,” continues working nonstop to conquer new fans. In April, the Panamanian newcomer dropped a three-song EP, marking the next move of his career and a preview of his upcoming album. Today, he blesses fans with three new tracks coined “En La Luna,” “Párrafo 8,” and “Money Fast”—each track representing his chameleon-like proposal. In “En La Luna,” Boza opts for an acoustic guitar-infused reggaeton with his ever-romantic lyrics about sacrificing everything for that special someone. In “Párrafo 8,” Boza flaunts his rapid-vocal skills over a futuristic Hip-Hop beat. In “Money Fast,” he drops a catchy Latin trap and even sings part of the song in English. Boza has yet to announce when the full-length album will be out but check out his new tracks below. – J.R.
Eslabon Armado, Tu Veneno Mortal (Part 2) (DEL Records)
“This album is filled with love and heartbreak, so get ready to cry,” Pedro Tovar warns fans in the 19-second intro that opens Eslabon Armado’s new album titled Tu Veneno Mortal, Vol. 2, a continuation of their chart-topping album Tu Veneno Mortal which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart (dated June 12, 2020). Like Vol. 1, this 11-track album (plus intro) is an emotional journey about falling in and out of love with achingly personal guitar-led songs all penned by the regional Mexican band’s frontman Pedro. A standout track is “Regresa Mami,” which Pedro envisioned as a reggaeton song at its core but fused with Eslabon’s signature guitar sound. “It’s important for me to listen to different genres and artists, and really pay attention to what makes a catchy song. What words they are using,” Pedro told Billboard. This album marks Eslabon’s first album without member Gabriel Hidalgo, who split from the trio earlier this year. – G.F.
Manuel Medrano, “Nenita” (Warner Music Latina)
Colombian crooner Manuel Medrano released “Nenita,” the second single of his upcoming new album that can easily become a declaration of love beyond time and distance. Written from the heart by Medrano, the song represents true and free love. Manuel himself confesses love to someone very special who he wants to share in this and other lives. “You are what I always wanted / only you have what I dreamed of / Let me tell you that you are the light / that lights up the days in my world and no one knows that you are .” This beautiful blend of lyrics, electric guitars, and Medrano’s soothing Latin pop, was produced together with Juan Pablo Vega. – I.F.
Elena Rose, “Picachu” (Guerrera de la Luz)
The whistling intro in Elena Rose’s “Picachu” instantly makes the song captivating, and while the whistling lasts for just a few seconds, it is earworm material that keeps you listening wondering what Rose will do next. Then, her ethereal vocals take center stage singing, “I want to be your peace flag, the compass on your map … and take care of you how I take care of myself when I go out wearing a skirt.” The song is about a vision of who she wants to be for that special someone, essentially love song at its core. The rhythmic pop track, which at the bridge becomes this alt-rock tune, follows a handful of singles Rose has released over the past year as the songwriter focuses on her career as a singer after penning hit songs for Selena Gomez, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez, among others. –– G.F.
Rauw Alejandro, Vice Versa (Sony Music Latin/Duars Entertainment)
On his sophomore studio album, Rauw Alejandro opted to go experimental, trading, for the most part, his signature reggaeton and Latin R&B sound for more electro-pop, funk, and even Brazilian-inclined rhythms. His best example? “Todo De Ti,” which currently sits at No. 45 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. A summer-ready funk, disco, and pop track, inspired by the sounds of James Brown and Bruno Mars, Rauw admits “this is the music I like to do.” “This album has a lot of contrast and a great selection of music,” he tells Billboard. Created between 2020 and 2021 and just two weeks after finalizing his debut set, Afrodisiaco, Vice Versa contains only three reggaeton songs, two collaborations (one with Anitta and his longtime friend, Lyanno), and the rest, a rollercoaster of new fusions, best representing his album’s cover. The 14-track set — which tells stories of love, heartbreak, and healing but is also full of summer jams — demonstrates a new side of Rauw. “Every project that I do, I try to connect with my fans and the way that I connect with them is by putting my heart and soul on the table and expressing my art to the maximum,” notes. – J.R.
Yasser Tejeda, “El Sol de la Madruga” (Yasser Tejeda)
Yasser Tejeda is making the rounds with his new single “El Sol de la Madrugada,” part of his acustic EP Interior, out today. Joined by violinist Cody Geil, the New York-based Dominican artist delivers an enchanting lullaby-like song that’s influenced by a centuries-old Dominican countryside chant and inspired by Samaná in the DR. “The hook talks about how beautiful the sun is coming over the mountains at dawn,” Tejeda explained in a press statement. “The verses depict scenes of a new morning calling for the hope of better days with abundance and love.” His EP includes acoustic versions of his previously-released singles “Nuestras Raices” and “Amor Arrayano,” which best represent Tejeda’s Afro-Caribbean folk music fused with jazz and rock melodies. –– J.R.
