New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Ricky Martin & Christian Nodal, “Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Día” (Sony Music Latin)
Ricky Martin delivers a reimagined version of his already iconic and gorgeous ballad “Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Día.” This time, he adds elements of mariachi and recruits Mexican star Christian Nodal to sing the 1995 anthem. The new song starts off with Martin singing softly over a piano, much like he did in the original version. Then, at the minute-mark, melancholic mariachi trumpet notes come in to complement Nodal’s vocals as he joins Martin to sing about a person that’s come to turn their world upside down. Marking the first collaborative effort between Ricky Martin and Nodal, the essence of the song — which will be discovered by a new generation of fans nearly 30 years later — remains untouched. “It’s a dream come true,” Nodal says about the duet in a statement. “This song is so special and so profound that it really tugs at your emotions.” — GRISELDA FLORES
Manuel Medrano, “Verano En NY” (Warner Music México)
Colombian singer Manuel Medrano pays tribute to a summer in New York with this soulful alt-pop song powered by sincere lyrics inspired by a memorable summer spent with a great love. The song was co-produced by Juan Ariza, Jona Camacho and Manuel Medrano, and features Medrano’s deep vocals chanting lyrics such as, “Remember that summer in New York/ When we walked hand in hand together/ Don’t forget that I’m still alive.” The accompanying music video, directed by Salomon Simhon and filmed in New York, tells a captivating story about a boy who works at a flower shop and falls in love with one of his customers, daydreaming about various romantic scenarios and always bringing her flowers. “Verano En NY” is the first single from his upcoming third studio album and showcases Medrano’s artistic and musical evolution, immersing us in magical realism. — INGRID FAJARDO
Roberto Fonseca, La Gran Diversión (3ème Bureau / Wagram Music)
Virtuoso Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca is back with La Gran Diversión (The Great Fun), a 10-track album that intertwines contemporary genres like R&B, rock and funk with the timeless sound of Cuba’s rhythms. From the opener “Yanim,” to the previously released singles “Mani Mambo” featuring Dutch EMD singer Clarence Bekker and “Sal al Malecón,” the Grammy-nominated artist takes us on a scenic voyage — one with end-of-summer vibes that will carry us through the winter. “[This is] the most personal record of my life,” Fonseca says in a press release. “It is a tribute to my roots and above all to traditional Cuban music due to the great connection and acceptance of the public from the ’30s to the present.”
Co-produced by Fonseca and Daniel Florestano, La Gran Diversión was recorded in Havana, Paris and New York with guests including, besides Bekker, guitarist Jorge Chicoy, violinist Regina Carter, and Buena Vista Social Club vocalist Carlos Calunga. Don’t miss the focus track “Baila Mulata” — it will make your body move. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Juan Luis Guerra, “Mambo 23” (Rimas Entertainment)
“Mambo 23” is the first single from Juan Luis Guerra’s upcoming EP RADIO GUIRA, set to release in November. “’Mambo 23′ is the first time we ventured into a mambo merengue — we had never done it and the rhythm caught our attention and we began to work with arrangements of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and classical instruments,” says the Dominican artist in a statement. “We liked the result very much and we believe that we have the piece to launch our new EP Radio Guira.”
The video, directed by his son Jean Gabriel Guerra, shows a lonely night cleaning worker of Radio Guira. Feeling alone and curious, he presses a button unleashing an explosion of music and videos. Driven by the irresistible music of Juan Luis Guerra and his 4.40 band, he indulges in an energetic dance routine. In the end, as often happens in life, he discovers that he was not alone. The artist surprises him, gives him a wink and then leaves: a magical moment that captures the essence of his music. Guerra doesn’t shy away from his message of gospel; “Mambo 23” will make more than one person dance no matter where it plays, as only JLG knows how to do. — LUISA CALLE
Luzmila Carpio, Inti Watana – El Retorno del Sol (ZZK Records)
On Inti Watana – El Retorno del Sol, Luzmila Carpio’s music, sung in her native Quechua, resonates with age-old enchantment. Amid pan flutes and twinkling strings, the Bolivian singer effortlessly traverses a range of themes — from celebrating sacred traditions, in the charango-driven hymn of “Kacharpayita,” to contemplating themes of loss and remorse in “Requiem para un Ego.” She engages in captivating conversations with avian companions in “Ofrenda de los Pájaros” and pays homage to the revered goddess of the Andes in “Pachamama desde el Cosmos,” as with Inti, the Inca sun god. Amidst all this, Carpio’s unwavering voice shines through in nine songs that brim with a mystical essence cultivated over centuries of ceremonial rites and a profound connection with the natural world. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Yandel & Myke Towers, “Borracho y Loco” (Warner Music Latina/La Leyenda LLC)
Yandel and Myke Towers find each other in a new collaboration titled “Borracho y Loco,” following their previous 2020 collab “Mayor.” A hard-hitting reggaeton fused with sensual dancehall melodies, at the helm of Puerto Rican hitmaker Nesty La Mente Maestra, “Borracho y Loco” narrates the story of a man who’s drunk and crazy as he’s trying to heal a broken heart. “I think about you when I’m drunk and crazy/ You left me a broken heart/ I only know about you on social media/ I’m not satisfied only with giving your photo a like,” goes the catchy chorus. Directed by Fernando Lugo, the video shows the two men at a wild party, but distracted by the thoughts of their former partner. — JESSICA ROIZ
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