Carla Morrison, “Ansiedad”
“Ansiedad” marked Carla Morrison’s rebirth. After relocating to Paris and never releasing new music in 5 years, Morrison got here again to life due to this uptempo R&B-fused pop observe that explores her personal relationship with psychological well being. “I need to speak and I am unable to. I need to breathe and I am unable to. I need to be and I am unable to,” she sings, permitting herself to be susceptible. “Ansiedad” was the primary single off Morrison’s forthcoming album, the extremely anticipated follow-up her 2015 Grammy-nominated Amor Supremo. — GRISELDA FLORES
Karol G, “Bichota”
Following within the vein of “Tusa” and “Ay, DiOs Mio!,” Karol G has discovered her stride together with her model of languorous reggaetón; sensual however not overtly sexual, empowering but additionally female. “Bichota” produced with longtime collaborator Ovy on the Drums, is extra assertive in each lyrics and hooks. From the title, which roughly interprets to “Boss” and is usually used as road slang referring to males, “Bichota” is much less about empowerment within the conventional sense, than self-confidence and taking management. “I really feel like a bichota, all of them need to break me however do not understand how,” she purrs within the opening, instantly catchy chorus. Set to sparse keyboards, “Bichota” is profitable by advantage of its simplicity. At a time when the phrase “empowerment” has been bandied round to help each video that options sexualized photos of ladies, here is one which celebrates physique picture and perspective with out subverting to masculine wants or approval. — LEILA COBO
Mon Laferte, “Biutiful”
Chilean singer-songwriter Mon Laferte grew to become everybody’s quarantine alter ego together with her encouraging observe that could be a dose of self-love and empowerment. In response to Laferte, the music was born a day she awakened “feeling fairly.” Confidently, she sings, “In the present day, I’ll make like to myself as a result of I really feel biutiful,” adopted by an explosion of highly effective vocals going into the refrain. The alt-pop observe dropped alongside a DIY music video recorded in her finest good friend’s condominium in Mexico Metropolis. — G.F.
Nathy Peluso, “Buenos Aires”
The Argentine singer-songwriter kicked off her profession within the underground Hip-Hop scene in Spain, writing road poetry and killer rap bars that quickly would get her on the map. A real field of surprises, Peluso experiments with neo-soul, perreo fusions, old-school ’90s rap, tango, and tropical music however one in all her finer items is “Buenos Aires.” In an urban-dominated world, Peluso blessed music lovers with this intimate various blues-meets-soul R&B manufacturing, the place her spectacular falsetto vocals additionally got here out to play. “I composed it in an uncommon place and it reveals one other facet of me,” Peluso informed Billboard. “Buenos Aires” was nominated on the 2020 Latin Grammys for finest various music, and was carried out alongside Fito Paez throughout the awards ceremony. — JESSICA ROIZ
Ecko & Cazzu, “Cama Vacia”
Name it Pimpinela for the brand new technology. This infectious and sultry lure gem a few former couple whose back-and-forth on what went flawed with their relationship has Ecko spitting some fiery freestyle expertise which are married with Cazzuâ’s sugary vocals. The collab brings to the forefront two of the pioneers of the Argentine lure motion and their musical evolution. On “Cama Vacia,” they preserve true to that underground sound that catapulted them, but additionally add a contact of romance on this intriguing love story. The black-and-white music video, directed by Renderpanic in Argentina, reveals each artists paying a mannequin homage to Bonnie & Clyde. — J.R.
Ozuna feat. Karol G and Myke Towers, “Caramelo” (Remix)
The primary single of Ozuna’s ENOC is a sticky observe, made sweeter nonetheless by Karol G’s female contact and Myke Tower’s deeper baritone contrasting with Ozuna’s excessive tenor. “Caramelo” would not go the raunchy remix route, however as an alternative, sticks near the whimsy of the unique, attractive however not sexual, suggestive however by no means exhibiting an excessive amount of. It helps, after all, that Ozuna has an uncanny knack for penning extremely melodic tracks with instantly catchy choruses. The unique “Caramelo” was a pop smash with a reggaetón beat. The remix with Karol G and Towers lends it extra texture to change into a extremely addictive observe. — L.C.
Prince Royce feat. Myke Towers, “Carita de Inocente (Remix)”
Prince Royce returned to his bachata roots with “Carita de Inocente.” The music, which held robust atop Billboard‘s Tropical Airplay chart for a report 29 weeks at No. 1, obtained a reboot with Myke Towers that improves the unique. It begins with conventional bachata after which transitions to Latin lure beats with various guitar riffs earlier than choosing as much as bachata once more. We additionally get a style of Towers singing talents — versus the hip-hop, freestyle movement that characterizes him. Who ever knew that Towers’ crisp, nearly hoarse vocals may merge so nicely with bachata — J.R.
Eslabon Armado “Con Tus Besos”
This regional Mexican teenage trio proved that you do not want raunchy lyrics to make a success in 2020. Putting all bets on an extremely romantic ballad, frontman Pedro Tovar innocently sings, “You make me really feel good together with your kisses, I simply love the way in which you’re.” Staying true to the band’s identifiable fusion of conventional acoustic guitars with the electrical bass, this sierreño observe nearly did not make it on Eslabon Armado’s Vibras de Noche album, as a result of it wasn’t “ok” for the band — however they have been finally satisfied to incorporate by Tovar’s mother. It peaked at No. 15 on the Sizzling Latin Songs chart. — G.F.
Unhealthy Bunny, Jhay Cortez “Dákiti”
This genre-bending reggaetón observe made Billboard historical past, turning into the primary Latin hit to concurrently crown each the Billboard International 200 and the Billboard International Excl. U.S. charts. The futuristic and daring single, constructed round an edgy synth riff, works for a lot of causes — particularly a catchy refrain and the melding of two distinctive voices — however what makes this music The Music is the observe’s final head-bobbing climax, which immediately turns the music right into a euphoric synth-pop banger. — G.F.
Christian Nodal & Ángela Aguilar, “Dime Como Quieres”
As a part of the brand new technology of regional Mexican artists, Nodal and Aguilar are hoping to revive the custom of spectacular duets within the style. “Consider what the duet between Juan Gabriel and Rocio Durcal meant again then,” Aguilar told Billboard. Positive, these are fairly large footwear to fill. However nonetheless, Nodal and Aguilera have taken a convincing step in the appropriate route with some nostalgia regardless of their ages. — J.R.
Rosalía, “Dolerme”
“Dolerme” was an outlier in each sense of the phrase: An acoustic, guitar-based pop observe with rock spirit — albeit with digital and flamenco brush strokes — it sounded not like something Rosalía had completed earlier than. This was one other, maybe extra pressing Rosalía than the one we often hear in her large business hits. However this cowrite with Frank Dukes, Matthew Tavares and longtime collaborator El Guincho underscored the Spanish star’s versatility, whereas showcasing her vocals in a distinct, but equally spectacular gentle. — L.C.
Maluma, “Hawái”
Maluma’s plaintive lyrics on “Hawái,” a few lady he’s misplaced to a different man, acquire added urgency when it is revealed to be a music of affection for the time of social media (“Trip in Hawái, congratulations; very nice what you publish on Instagram so I see it”), In spite of everything, haven’t all of us been there? It sounds facile, however “Hawái” just isn’t solely catchy however poignant, with wistful verses that already really feel like a distant reminiscence. A juggernaut in its authentic model (topping Billboard’s first-ever Global Excl. U.S. chart) “Hawái” gained new traction when The Weeknd jumped on the observe, singing that opening verse in English after which the refrain in Spanish, his clean vocals meshing completely with Maluma’s; two big pop stars in a single observe for double the attraction. It was added validation for a music that managed to seize the common emotions of loss and spite, and mesh them with the fleeting but everlasting trappings of a digital period. — L.C.
Carlos Vives & Jessie Reyez, “Hechicera”
This highly effective and explosive collaboration opens Carlos Vives’ lovely and soul-searching album Cumbiana. The 2 generations of Colombian artists come collectively for this tropipop Spanglish observe that fuses Vives’ distinctive vallenato and cumbia beats, and honors Bachué, a goddess that emerges from the water. It is an ideal instance of two distinct generations and types introduced collectively by means of a profound respect for music. — G.F.
Banda MS, Snoop Dogg “Qué Maldición”
Speculations of a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Banda MS started circulating the after the rapper posted a Banda MS music on his Instagram in 2016. Nothing occurred till final Might when the West Coast icon and the regional Mexican chart-topping band delivered their bicultural, bilingual smash hit “Qué Maldición.” Not surprisingly, the observe organically fuses banda with hip-hop, an unorthodox mixture that proves efficient as soon as once more. The fusion was pioneered within the early 2000s by Mexican hip-hop duo Akwid. “Qué Maldición,” a few curse that falls on a person following a heartbreak, debuted at No. 4 on the Sizzling Latin Songs chart, turning into each acts’ first fop 10 debut on the itemizing. — G.F.
Gente de Zona & Becky G, “Muchacha”
The primary collab between the Cuban duo and the Mexican American singer is a departure from Gente De Zona’s extra tropical fare of late, incorporating a Cuban clave rhythm with Becky G’s raps — as she transforms from automotive mechanic to princess (after praying to la virgen y los santos) within the video, clad in a slinky blue costume with sneakers. The video for “Muchacha” was eye sweet, whereas the music was enjoyable to bounce to — but additionally enjoyable to decipher in its use of the clave to the beat of the phrase “Mu-cha-cha,” a intelligent nod that kicks issues up a notch. — L.C.
Alejandro Fernández & Mon Laferte, “Que Se Sepa Nuestro Amor”
From the duvet artwork, which evokes the golden age of Mexican cinema, we all know we’re in for a deal with with Alejandro Fernández and Mon Laferte collectively. “Que Se Sepa Nuestro Amor” is a grandiose ranchera, carried out by not simply two nice voices, however two nice personalities — a fantastically executed reminder of true excellence throughout genres. Please, put this in a movie. — L.C.
Sech, Rosalía, Balvin, Daddy Yankee & Farruko, “Relación” (Remix)
Sech’s “Relación,” a music about residing your finest life after a poisonous relationship, took on a lifetime of its personal on TikTok, with over 4 million creator movies on the app as of press time. Spurred on by the music’s success on social media, Sech whipped collectively a star-studded remix that includes Rosalía, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, and Farruko, with producers Dimelo Stream and Sluggish Mike transitioning the observe from a reggaetón beat to an infectious merengue fusion. Rosalía additionally provides this remix a pleasant contact, flaunting her excessive vocals on the very starting. — J.R.
Residente, “René”
Residente’s most intimate and private music so far is a seven-minute lengthy story of his life, going by means of childhood, despair, loss of life and censorship — and utilizing his start title, René, because the title. The “therapeutic” single was born two years in the past and sheds gentle on his self-discovery course of. “I had a variety of conditions taking place in the mean time,” he told Billboard, recalling a time he felt so unhealthy that he did not need to go on stage. “I had by no means felt like that in my life.” He began writing the observe the next day. “René” was launched in February throughout Residente’s birthday week, and helped encourage different confessional tracks in 2020, together with Kendo Kaponi’s “Resistencia,” Ozuna’s “Gracias,” and Anuel’s “3 de Abril” — J.R.
Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin “Ritmo (Unhealthy Boys For Life)”
So easy however so devastatingly efficient — did anybody not dance or work out to this music by the point the yr was over? Except for reviving ’90s dance hitmaker Corona “Ritmo” — with its bilingual lyrics and irresistible beats — marked the return of the Black Eyed Peas to the highest 40 of the Sizzling 100 after a decade. It additionally gave the group its first ever No. 1 on the Sizzling Latin Songs chart. — L.C.
J Balvin, “Rojo”
On his conceptual album Colores, the place he names every music after a coloration, “Rojo” is among the softer reggaetón tracks on the set, fused with galactic-inspired rhythms. Coming after the head-bopping “Blanco” and hip-shaking “Morado,” it as soon as once more showcased J Balvin’s romantic facet. The cinematic music video, directed by Colin Tilley, pays tribute to that, exhibiting Balvin getting right into a deadly automotive accident whereas on his solution to the hospital to see his new child. “Rojo” scored Balvin his twenty third No. 1 on Latin Airplay, good for the second-most of any artist. -J.R.
Rauw Alejandro & Camilo, “Tattoo” (Remix)
Rauw Alejandro’s “Tattoo” landed a remix in July that includes fellow rising artist Camilo, who took the already nice reggaetón observe to the subsequent degree along with his distinctive poetic lyrics and ever-so-soothing vocals. Staying true to its rhythmic pop core, the brand new tackle “Tattoo” finds Alejandro and Camilo buying and selling slick verses about falling for a lady who has them wrapped round her finger. The observe is pure bliss, with catchy and harmless lyrics — a pleasant change of tempo lately — resembling, “I am dying for the kind of kiss that you do not give to a good friend/ I spotted that I dwell for that smile” – G.F.
Farruko, “La Tóxica”
Quick, exact and catchy. That is how we might finest describe Farruko’s chart-topping summer time smash — a core reggaetón bop that takes the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter again to his roots. “La Tóxica” begins off with a easy piano tune. Then, almost one minute in, an explosive reggaetón beat carries the remainder of the music. “La Tóxica” scored Farruko his ninth profession No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Nov. 28). — G.F.
Carin Leon, “Tú”
Banda and norteño up and comer Carin Leon gathered his band in a house studio throughout lockdown in Mexico, and recorded a sequence of acoustic songs — “some originals, different variations” — which he gathered into two glorious albums. “Tú,” a canopy of a pop music initially penned by hitmaker Estéfano again within the 2000s, is especially excellent in Leon’s poignant vocals, a reminder {that a} good music works in so many settings. It is also a fantastic step for an artist who took a danger, and gained the gamble. He’s a voice to reckon with in regional Mexican. –– L.C.
J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Unhealthy Bunny & Tainy, “Un Día (One Day)”
Unhealthy Bunny, J Balvin and Tainy have already confirmed to be an efficient components. So, what do you get once you add pop darling Dua Lipa to the combination? A nostalgic, dreamy observe that laces seductive pop melodies with dancehall and reggaetón aptitude, it displays on love and heartbreak, portrayed on the video by actress Úrsula Corberó (Cash Heist). The Spanglish bop topped the Sizzling Latin Songs chart in August, staying at No. 1 for 5 weeks. — G.F.
Unhealthy Bunny, “Yo Perreo Sola”
A standout observe on Bunny’s first of three albums in 2020, YHLQMDLG, “Yo Perreo Sola” (I Twerk Alone) is the last word quarantine anthem for its embrace of twerking by your self and being single as a lifestyle. “If she wants you, she’ll name you, however proper now she’s on her personal” the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio sings. The easy feminine empowerment music grew to become a success largely due to its catchy refrain, delivered through Nesi’s distinctive, contemporary vocals, which captivate you immediately and may have you reciting after her “Yo Perreo Sola” hook time and again.– G.F.
