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.
Kali Uchis, Orquídeas (Geffen Records)
Dripping with opulent sensuality, Kali Uchis’ Orquídeas unfolds as an elegant outing that pays homage to Colombia’s national flower. Symbolizing timeless allure and mystic grace, this 14-track venture seamlessly blends soulful melodies, mirroring the delicate, exotic, and graceful nature of the orchid itself. Her fourth LP and second mostly Spanish album effortlessly traverses a spectrum of styles, from the Afrobeat rhythms of “Diosa” to the hauntingly beautiful bolero of “Te Mata,” further revealing the artist’s versatility while never losing her essence. Notably, she unveils another layer of her life’s tapestry in the music video for “Tu Corazón Es Mío” / “Diosa,” where Kali Uchis shares her first pregnancy with longtime partner and rapper Don Toliver.
On the grooving, bass-driven “Heladito,” the Colombian American star explores an untapped niche of neo soul en español that can only work with singers like her. Teaming up with Rauw Alejandro on “No Hay Ley Parte 2,” she trades the house beats of her 2022 work for a pulsating reggaetón thump. Meanwhile, “Igual Que Un Ángel” sees Uchis’ voice soaring to celestial heights, accompanied by Peso Pluma’s R&B-infused contribution. The sultry reggaetón cut “Labios Mordidos,” featuring Karol G, brings together two Colombian femmes fatales in a scintillating display of risqué flirtation. Across the album, the multi-faceted songwriter and now expectant mother delivers poignant lyrics entwined with supreme production that lingers in the soul long after the final note. All this while embracing the beauty of creation and growth, much like the orchids she pays homage to. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
DannyLux, “Un Día Entenderás” (Warner Music Latina)
Mexican American artist DannyLux is kicking off 2024 by previewing what fans can expect in the deluxe version of his 2023 set, DLUX. “Un Día Entenderás” is an emotions-first song, which allows the 19-year-old singer-songwriter to sing about heartbreak. While DannyLux sticks to his his signature sierreño sound, powered by acoustic guitars, he’s also incorporated some brassy instruments giving his style a new twist. “I made this song to tell a story about trying so hard to save a relationship, but in the end, nothing works,” DannyLux said about the track. “It’s like one of those situations where all you want to do is make them happy, but you start to lose yourself.” — GRISELDA FLORES
GALE, “Inevitable” (Sony Music Latin)
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Gale pays tribute to Shakira’s 1998 rock power ballad “Inevitable,” adding fresh air to the beloved classic song from the Colombian singer’s iconic album Dónde Están los Ladrones? Gale’s version starts with a soft, eclectic acoustic guitar with her dreamy pop and ethereal vocals leading the way, and then transitions into futuristic electronic sounds. Gale first performed this version in November at the 2023 Latin Grammy Best New Artists showcase in Seville, Spain. — INGRID FAJARDO
No Te Va Gustar & Zoe Gotusso, “Me Cansé” (Elefante Blanco)
Uruguayan group No Te Va Gustar merges with Argentine singer-songwriter Zoe Gotusso in a holistic collaboration that embraces the essence of Latin American funk and rock in their latest single, “Me Cansé.” Produced by Nico Cotton, the song captivates with a melody led by a trumpet, in addition to Gotusso’s soulful interpretation and the harmonious mix of voices. The lyrics, written by the band’s bassist, Guzmán Silveira, express in one of its verses: “I’m tired of you wanting to smoke the fresh air that the wind brings us/ I’m tired of you wanting to drink the whole river, the whole sea as if thirsty.” The song’s accompanying video offers an intimate look at the recording process in the studio, revealing the friendship between the talented artists. — LUISA CALLE
Carin León, Keith Urban & Rosario Flores, “Si Me Llevas Contigo” (Universal Music Latino)
Carin León, Keith Urban and Rosario Flores, three of the biggest stars of Música Mexicana, country music and flamenco, respectively, join forces in this evocative bilingual song for the soundtrack of the Prime Video series Zorro, which premieres Jan. 19 in the U.S. and Latin America, and on Jan. 25 in Spain. Written and produced by Julio Reyes Copello, “Si Me Llevas Contigo” starts with León singing in Spanish over a guitar riff that projects an aura of suspense: “Fire, blood and dust between my fingers, and in my soul pieces of steel/ In the night I am, I go through storms, I go on battle, and this is my destiny.” Flores’ iconic flamenco voice is immediately heard (“I get lost in evil, I get lost in good, I get lost in your skin, at night, during the day,” she sings), followed by Urban, who begins a verse in English to which the rest quickly join in: “Don’t you know that I’m not afraid of dying.” It is an explosive mix full of mystery and sensuality. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS.
Omar Courtz, “UNA NOTi” (Mr. 305 Records)
For his first release of 2024, Omar Courtz teamed up with hitmaker Haze for a mid-tempo reggaetón track fused with catchy synth beats titled “UNA NOTi.” Backed by lots of Puerto Rican lingo, the song narrates the story of having chemistry with someone and wanting to hang out with them at all times. “’UNA NOTi’” is inspired by the ‘jangueos’ and ‘chinchorros’ of Puerto Rico and those nights when you go out with your partner to dance and vibe all night long,” Courtz, named one of Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2024, said in a statement. “Showing the intimacy you can have with someone who makes you feel like you’re high just by their very presence.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Check out Billboard‘s New Music Latin weekly playlist below:
