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.
Alex Zurdo, “En Hora Buena” (AZ Music)
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Alex Zurdo delivers a timely message of hope this Holy Week with his latest single, “En Hora Buena.” The track opens with his trademark strumming of acoustic guitar chords, gradually transitioning into a catchy mid-tempo rhythm that blends urban music with cumbia influences. Through his lyrical prowess, the rapper lets his melodic voice flow this time to express gratitude for God’s opportune intervention and his help in times of difficulty. “Nothing fills me like you fill me/ You have arrived at a good time/ You are the peace that gives full life/ Following you was worth it,” Zurdo sings in the melodic chorus. — LUISA CALLE
Beéle & Kany García, “Me Arriesgo Contigo” (Hear This Music LLC/5020 Records)
Beéle and Kany García join forces for a sweet pop track that narrates an unlikely relationship that actually turns into a risk worth taking. “Me Arriesgo Contigo” starts off with a sparse guitar note that serves as a canvas for Beéle’s delicate yet commanding vocals. Then, it’s García’s turn to take charge — and she does so accompanied by a hip-swiveling bachata beat. But once both join their vocals, the song’s sound evolves into an explosive head-bobbing pop tune that powers the rest of the song. “I want to shout that I love you and I take the risk with you, undressing all fears with kisses we dress up,” they sing in the catchy chorus. — GRISELDA FLORES
Ramona & Daniel & Me Estás Matando, “Amargura”
Tijuana rockers Ramona and Mexico city indie-pop balladeers Daniel, Me Estás Matando team up to resurrect the vintage folklore of a Mexican dark cabaret in this haunting, modern bolero. Delivering a kind of vocal despair that captures the essence of ‘70s-era Latin crooners, their bittersweet lament finds them relief from the agony of longing for someone who doesn’t value the connection. “I’ve been wanting to forget you for a long time and take all this bitterness out of my chest/ Even though I know I still love you and it hurts me to my soul,” they sing. Armed with dissonant violins, moody horns and silky percussion — with stellar production courtesy of Daniel Zepeda, Ivan de la Rioja, Jesús Guerrero, and Omar Córdoba — “Amargura,” in sum, is a captivating glimpse of unrequited love. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Nelly Furtado & Juanes, “GALA y DALÍ” (Nelstar Entertainment/Universal Music Latino)
After unleashing their first collaborative effort in 2002, Nelly Furtado and Juanes join forces once again in “GALA y DALÍ.” A contrast to “Fotografía,” their heartfelt pop track from 22 years ago, their new single is a feel-good bop that fuses Calypso with other tropical rhythms. Just in time for the summer, the flirtatious song finds the Canadian songstress and Colombian artist singing about their sweet chemistry, comparing it to the bond that Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala had. The song also samples part of their 2002 hit, which reached No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and its lyrics cleverly reference how “since 2002, Nelly has been in love” and preserving their photograph. The music video further shows Furtado and Juanes’ professional connection in the recording studio, as they sing, dance, and even share an anecdote from the first time they performed together at an awards show more than two decades ago. — JESSICA ROIZ
Carin León & Leon Bridges, “It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)” (Socios Music)
A month after dueting with Kane Brown on the historic crossover between country and Mexican music “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” Carin León continues to experiment with new collaborators and styles. This time, the música mexicana star joins American R&B singer Leon Bridges for “It Was Always You (Siempre Fueiste Tú),” a bilingual track produced by Edgar Barrera and Casta about an ex who didn’t appreciate their love. “I gave you my heart and you didn’t give a damn/ I sent everyone to hell for your love/ And you’re never happy, no,” León sings softly in Spanish before the catchy mid-tempo chorus: “Maybe it’s you (Maybe it’s you)/ The reason, the reason for all my pain.”
“This song with my friend Leon [Bridges] is very important to me,” León said in a press release. “It is another great moment for American roots music and Mexican music, uniting two languages that, despite having so much in common, need music to express their solidarity.” The song arrives with a picturesque music video filmed in his hometown of Sonora, Mexico under the direction of Willy Rodríguez. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Los Avengers, The Academy: Segunda Misión (Warner Music Latina/Rich Music)
Five years after The Academy was released in 2019, The Avengers — a reggaatón collective composed of Dalex, Dímelo Flow, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavarez and Sech — has finally released its follow up album, Segunda Misión (Second Mission). The new set boasts nine brand-new tracks, featuring collaborations with renowned artists including Myke Towers, Yandel, Maria Becerra, Arcángel, Eladio Carrión and Natti Natasha. Co-produced by Dímelo Flow and Sech in partnership with other reggaetón hitmakers, this “combi completa” between Panama, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Colombia carries with every beat the pure essence of reggaetón, in songs like “Flowhot,” “El Royce,” “Amiga” and “Si si si si.” — INGRID FAJARDO
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
