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.
Fonseca, “Canto a la Vida” (Sony Music Latin)
To the sounds of vallenato, Colombian trop-pop icon Fonseca sings of good memories on the new single “Canto a la Vida.” The song is the second preview of his next album in which, as he revealed to Billboard Español during a Latin Music Week panel, he wants to pay tribute to Colombian music while rediscovering the sound of his beginnings. With clarinet, percussion, guacharaca, guitar and, of course, an accordion, Fonseca recreates a classic vallenato and distances himself from the pop sound of his most recent projects, while recounting his successes and recognizing that there is an important song that he needed to sing. “That is why today I sing to life / For the memories that are not forgotten / Let the memories live / Let the stories live / That today live in photographs,” he sings in the chorus. The accompanying video encapsulates a little piece of the essence of Colombia with its costumes, dances, instruments and other typical elements. Without a doubt, “Canto a la Vida” is a song to spread the feeling of gratitude for life and the experiences that make us who we are today. — LUISA CALLE
Santiago Cruz & TIMØ, “Golpes Contra Las Paredes” (Santiago Cruz)
Colombian singer-songwriter Santiago Cruz recruited breakout trio TIMØ – currently nominated for a best new artist at the Latin Grammys – for a new heartbreak anthem, “Golpes Contra La Pared.” Written by Cruz and produced by Juan Pablo Vega, the indie pop-rock song addresses feelings of anger and frustration when imagining what an ex is doing with a new lover. “And here I am, banging against the walls, not accepting that you were and are no longer, it is no longer our room,” goes part of the chorus. Cruz said in a press release that he sat down to write the song “expressly with the idea that it would be a collaboration” with his TIMØ countrymen. “It’s an upbeat, powerful song, with some anger, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to play live,” he added. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Banda MS ft. Gloria Trevi, “Y Que Soporten” (Lizos Music)
Banda MS is no stranger to outside-the-box collaborations, and their latest single is no exception. The band teams up with pop queen Gloria Trevi for “Y Que Soporten,” marking the first collab between the Mexican powerhouses. To the tune of a traditional-leaning banda sinaloense song — with brassy instruments leading the way — Banda MS’ Alan Ramírez and Trevi trade verses about bumping into an ex who seemingly wants to restart a failed relationship. “If my love was ever his, then let him swallow his pride, it’s going to be super hard for him to find someone to replace me,” they declare. Banda MS has most recently collaborated with Ice Cube (“¿Cuáles Fronteras?”), Yahritza y Su Esencia (“Solo Que Lo Dudes”) and Fuerza Regida (“Santo Patrón”). — GRISELDA FLORES
Omar Montes & Nicky Jam, “Oye BB” (Sony Music Latin)
In a first collaborative effort that was made possible by a tattoo artist-friend they have in common Omar Montes and Nicky Jam unleash “Oye BB.” Produced by Tunvao, Jota Rosa and Jon Leone, the song is a hard-hitting, fast-paced reggaeton beat that perfectly interlaces Montes’ dark, raspy vocals with the Puerto Rican artist’s more sugary tones. In “Oye BB,” the breakout Spanish star and Jam are trying to seek the attention of the girl they like: “I’m only asking for one percent and I’ll give you my heart,” chants Montes. The chorus is more flirtatious, where both acts sing, “Hey, baby, you smell delicious/ But you’ll be more delicious once I taste you/ Hey, baby, every weekend/ I’d do it to you better than the last so that you stay.” A music video directed by Borkinson features the two artists at a house party. — JESSICA ROIZ
Dawer x Damper, “Bochinche” ft. Miracali (Discos Fiera)
Tearing through the invigorating, scant beats informed by the sweltering vibes of Colombia’s Pacific coast, brothers Dawer x Damper arrive with “Bochinche,” featuring Miracali. Bolstered by their laid-back but assertive rap bars, the song title can be interpreted as a kind of gossip in Colombian slang — the theme around the group’s upcoming mixtape, which they announced today to arrive early 2024. “When something happens on the corner, everybody peeks out, everybody wants to know,” Dawer explains in a press release. “The neighbor, even though she’s in the kitchen making the sancocho, sticks her head out the window to find out. In this song, we talk a little about the neighborhood, about how the street behaves, how our city behaves, more so in our Aguablanca neighborhood in Cali.” The single also stars another pair of siblings, Lil Keren and Young Kali, from the group’s local scene in Cali. The Afro-Colombian duo are currently nominated for best long-form music video for their 2022 album Donde Machi. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Stream the New Music Latin playlist below:
