New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
TINI & Beéle, “Universidad” (5020 Records)
Argentine star TINI and Colombian hitmaker Beéle join forces on this refreshing merengue-pop track, perfect for kicking off the summer. With catchy lyrics and rhythm, “Universidad” talks about learning about love and heartbreak through the experiences that only life can offer. “Because there is no university where they teach you how to love properly/ There is no book that says how much it hurts,” says part of the chorus. In her first foray into the Dominican musical genre, TINI shines and once again demonstrates her versatility, while Beéle brings his Caribbean urban flavor. Don’t miss the music video, directed by Martín Rietti and written by TINI herself. The clip is full of vibrant scenes and funny moments that will make you smile and dance. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Edén Muñoz, “Raite Pa’ Con Diosito” (Sony Music México)
Edén Muñoz’s “Raite Pa’ Con Diosito” is a song that transports us to the golden age of Mexican cinema with a contemporary twist. Powered by a ranchera vibe, the single is accompanied by a Sinaloa band and the distinctive touch of his accordion. The lyrics — a story that often happened in the past, when fathers refused to let their daughters marry rebellious men on horseback — use witty phrases accompanied by a contagious rhythm that invites us to dance. The singer, composer, arranger and producer of regional Mexican music makes it clear that he will continue to defend his roots and traditional music, adding only a few fresh touches. – TERE AGUILERA
Yami Safdie & Emilia, “+ Te Vale” (Warner Music Latina)
Yami Safdie and Emilia waste no time in this two-minute poignant ballad where they offer advice to the man who broke their hearts and has already started a new relationship with another woman. “Your relationship better last and you better treat her like a queen,” Safdie sings evocatively at the top of the song, which quickly gets your attention. “You better love her like you never loved me,” she adds. Emilia later joins in with an equally emotional vocal delivery to get their point across. In the song, Safdie and Emilia are both vulnerable and raw, capturing the pain that comes with healing from a heartbreak. — GRISELDA FLORES
Brray, Inframundo (Universal Music Latino)
Puerto Rican rising star Brray showcases his signature deep, raspy vocal style in his latest EP, titled Inframundo. This collection of tracks strikingly captures the vibrant sounds of the Caribbean, putting Brray’s innovative fusion of reggaeton, reggae and hip-hop influences at the forefront. The focus track features reggeatón OG Tito el Bambino in “Dale TO,” setting the tone for the EP with a refreshing return to the classic old-school reggaeton vibe.
Kicking off the EP is “100POL35,” a powerful collaboration with Baby Rasta, which carries a robust sociopolitical message that reflects the current landscape of Puerto Rico. In “Una Gata,” featuring Nio García and Juanka, Brray delves into the complexities of relationships, turned into a parody talking about the desire of freedom. “Kittypon” perfectly blends reggae flavors with reggaetón, combining keyboard notes and a thumping perreo sound to create an atmosphere full of island vibes. — INGRID FAJARDO
Dale Pututi X El Chulo, “Buzón” (Plus Media)
In a new collaborative effort, Dale Pututi and El Chulo drop “Buzón,” co-produced by RoMn Beatz and Pututi. Sonically, the track is a hard-hitting reparto—a rhythmic genre that fuses reggaetón with traditional Cuban music and is notably marked by the claves. Lyrically, and steering away from the explicit and street dialect that represents reparto music, “Buzón” (mailbox) tells the story of a man who doesn’t understand why his relationship came to an end, and most importantly why he’s blocked on all platforms: “I learned that all that glitters is not gold/ You betrayed me even though I gave you everything.” Pututi passionately delivers the song with his crispy and dulcet vocals, while El Chulo brings his rugged and intense verses. Both Cuban acts have previously collaborated on “A Mi Manera” and “Que Rico Sería.” — JESSICA ROIZ
KATSEYE, “Gabriela” (HYBE/Geffen)
Girl group KATSEYE’s “Gabriela” is a bilingual Latin-flavored track that also pays homage to Dolly Parton’s iconic “Jolene.” Comprised of members of various nationalities (Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States), the group sings about a woman who begs her rival to leave her love. “He came with me and with me he goes/ His eyes are mine, that won’t change/ He wants me and the others don’t matter,” sings Daniela, of Cuban and Venezuelan-American descent, in Spanish. The fun music video, starring Jessica Alba and set in the style of a Latin soap opera, shows the members fiercely competing and attacking each other to become the next “Gabriela.” “We leaned into the world of telenovelas because they’re iconic and over-the-top in the best possible way – from the acting to hair and wardrobe,” the group says in a press statement. “It’s all love, all homage, and definitely all drama!” — LUISA CALLE
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
