Viva Friday is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors.
Guaynaa – “Rompe Rodillas” (Universal Music Group)
After getting on the radar with “Rebota” and “Buyaka,” Guaynaa is at it again with another promising party jam dubbed “Rompe Rodillas.” Literally meaning to “break your knees,” the Puerto Rican singer teamed up with Texas-based producers Play-N-Skillz to drop an infectious bop that perfectly meshes EDM, cumbia and perreo. The song is about uniting all cultures, races, and people of all ages on the dance floor. The playful music video shows Guaynaa and a diverse group—cowboys, punk rockers, and cholos included—jamming to the song in the streets of Hollywood, Calif. Watch it below. — JESSICA ROIZ
Wisin & Yandel and Sech – “Ganas de Ti” (Sony Music Latin)
Sech has been unstoppable as of late, dropping collabs with Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, and Arcangel. Now, he’s jumped on the newest Wisin & Yandel track called “Ganas de Ti.” Fusing “el duo de la historia’s” characteristic sound and Sech’s soothing vocals, the romantic reggaeton is about a person who misses his or her ex every day. “I’m desiring you, I yearn to love you, ever since I lost you I only think about kissing you,” both urban acts chant in the chorus. The music video, filmed by Jessy Terrero in New York City, tells the love story of Sech and his next-door neighbor, from being young sweethearts to their emotional goodbye to reuniting at a club. On Instagram, Wisin & Yandel expressed to their fans, “you are going to LOVE this song.” Listen and judge for yourself below. — JR
Chicano Batman – “Color My Life”
The Los Angeles-based psych-soul band released “Color My Life” along with a picturesque music video directed by George Mays. “You’ve got to color my life when the city is gone,” sings frontman Bardo Martinez as members of the band embed in different corners of L.A. like the Los Angeles River and palm trees-filled streets. The laid-back and upbeat track is the lead single from their upcoming album Invisible People out May 1. The new album follows their 2017 Freedom is Free. You can catch Chicano Batman at Coachella in April. — GRISELDA FLORES
Joan Sebastian & Calibre 50 – “Que Sea” (Universal Music Mexico)
A new Joan Sebastian single has been released posthumously in collaboration with the Sinaloa-based group Calibre 50. “Que Sea,” which is an elegant Regional Mexican track that combines elements such as the tuba and accordion, is a song about a person who can’t fight any longer and leaves his or her love life in the hands of destiny. “Whatever it has to be, I’ll understand,” they chant in the song. In a behind-the-scenes video, lead singer Eden Muñoz reunited the rest of the band at Andaluz recording studios to break the news. “We got together on a Sunday, everyone thought someone was going to get fired,” he said. “Andaluz sent us the song and asked us to make a duet. We then created a plan for the single.” The music video is simple yet meaningful, showing images of the late Mexican icon on three large screens as the group performs the song. The most sentimental part of the clip is the scene where a shadow of a man is riding a horse around a rodeo stadium best paying tribute to “El Rey del Jaripeo.” Sebastian, who was also a composer and penned over 1,000 songs, passed away on July 13, 2015, after his 16-year battle with bone cancer. His legacy lives stronger than ever amongst his loved ones and fans. Watch the heartfelt “Que Sea” below. — JR
Ximena Sariñana feat. Jesse Baez – “TBT 4 Ever 2.0” (Warner Music Mexico)
Ximena Sariñana has dropped a song for every hopeless romantic out there. In collaboration with Jesse Baez, the Mexican artist has meshed her indie-pop melodies with Baez’s chill R&B voice for “TBT 4 Ever 2.0,” which also has urban undertones. In the new single, Sariñana and the Chicago-born artist wholesomely sing about platonic love. “Even if you can’t see it, I know that you came to inspire my songs,” Sariñana kicks off the song. “In my mind, you belong to me / Tbt forever and to fly at night,” both artists sing in the chorus. A music video was not released with the single at the time of publishing but wobbling jello does accompany the audio track. Listen to the mesmerizing collaboration below. — JR
Marem Ladon – “No Sentir Nada”
Spanish singer-songwriter Marem Ladson’s “No Sentir Nada (Feeling Nothing)” is the feel-good pop song we all need this Friday. The melancholic single off of her forthcoming bilingual EP Azul, is about leaving the past behind and having the strength to move on from past relationships. In the music video for “No Sentir Nada,” directed by Jean Lafleur, Ladson exudes confidence and strength while portraying a fearless cowgirl. In the clip, she loses the horse she left outside of a saloon and in the journey of searching for her beloved horse, she learns to shut out sadness and move on. The clip was filmed in the Tabernas desert in Almería, Spain at the iconic Oasys MiniHollywood, built in the 1960s as the set of multiple western films. Azul is set to drop March 6 under Mont Ventoux. Ladson is set to perform at this year’s SXSW. — GF
