Viva Friday is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors.
Camilo – Por Primera Vez (Sony Music)
The opening of Camilo’s first album Por Primera Vez sets the tone and mood for his ultra-romantic 10-song set. The acoustic “Medialuna” opens with an almost nervous whistle before going into his first verse, where he sings in his ever-so-soothing voice, “Here I am so nervous because I will see you again and I don’t know what to say.” Helping keep romanticism alive thanks to evocative and heartwarming lyrics, the Colombian singer-songwriter isn’t afraid to explore deep emotions and allows himself to be vulnerable and in love on Por Primera Vez. The Latin pop singer, who captivated our ears with “TuTu,” not only proves to be a strong songwriter, he also taps into regional Mexican alongside Mexican crooner Christian Nodal in the bolero-tinged “La Mitad” — a genre that suits him well, actually. Of course, other previously released singles include “Por Primera Vez,” featuring singer-songwriter Evaluna Montaner (who happens to be Camilo’s wife), “La Difícil,” “Favorito” and the “TuTu” remix with Shakira and Pedro Capó. — GRISELDA FLORES
Piso 21 – “Tomar Distancia” (Warner Music Latina)
Piso 21 have released their first single of the year dubbed “Tomar Distancia” (Taking Distance). With sentimental lyrics about unrequited love, “Tomar Distancia” is a calming pop ballad in which the acoustic guitar and electric drum melodies come out to play. “We didn’t want to make a party song,” the Colombian pop-urban group said in a statement. “We wanted to create a tranquil sound with nostalgic lyrics. We have all felt heartbreak at some point in our lives. Many people in these days of social distancing are missing that love or that person that got away.” The production, written by the group — Juan Pablo Vega, Nabález and Raquel Sofía — was born during the global health crisis, which includes a homemade video of each member spending quarantine at home. — JESSICA ROIZ
Leo Dan – Celebrando a Una Leyenda. Segunda Parte (Sony Music)
At 78 years old, Argentine singer and composer Leo Dan continues to make waves. Almost 50 years since his heyday as a ’70s pop star, Dan found new audiences with Celebrando Una Leyenda, a 2018 album that had him revisiting his hits with a slew of contemporary acts. The set became the top-selling album in Mexico that year. Celebrando a Una Leyenda, Segunda Parte features collabs with the likes of other nostalgia acts like Pandora and Daniela Romo, but also unexpected pairings like Río Roma, Edwin Luna y la Trakalosa and Carlos Rivera. The former duets with Dan in “Esa Pared,” which manages to balance the sound of the ’70s and ’80s with a contemporary slant. — LEILA COBO
La Doña – “Cuando Se Van” (Human Re-Sources)
La Doña defies gentrification in “Cuando Se Van” (When Will They Leave?), a love letter to her San Francisco hometown that plunges deep into a conflicting personal statement of sociocultural paradigms mid- and post-earthquakes. Bringing her Mexican zeal to her work, the tune starts with a propulsive horn section led by Miguel Govea and is married with pouncy congas by Sergio Durán. With fierce vocals, La Doña bristles with indignation at the waves of displacement of her neighborhood in the third single from her recently released seven-track debut EP, Algo Nuevo. — PAMELA BUSTIOS
Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombiana (ANTI)
Lido Pimienta’s sublime Miss Colombia is an ode to her Afro-indigenous and Colombian roots, fusing traditional Latin rhythms like cumbia and tropi-pop to her experimental sound she has coined as “industrial reggaetón.” In the 11-track introspective set, a follow-up to her 2016 Polaris Music Prize-winning album La Papessa, the avant-garde Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter gets personal, exploring topics of self-love, Colombian politics and inequality and delivering truth honest and melancholic lyrics. The album features collabs with Bomba Estéreo’s Li Saumet, Afro-Colombian Caribbean artists like Sexteto Tabala and Rafael Cassiani Cassiani from San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia’s Caribbean region, where some of the songs were recorded and produced. The rest were born in Lido’s home studio in Toronto. — GF
Miky Woodz – Los 90s Piketes (Gold2 Latin Music)
Miky Woodz begins his album Los 90 Piketes with a testimonial intro titled “Un Día Mas o Un Dia Menos,” talking about his life and challenges that have gotten him to where he is now. The 15-song production continues with “Apreté El Boton,” showcasing his rap and trap fusions, in what is known as El Palabreo (good lyrics) in the urban genre. From the third track on, as heard in songs such as “Rivales,” “Ya Yo Cambie,” “Porque Duele El Amor” featuring Zion and Lennox and “Voy Por Ti,” we discover a new Miky doing romantic songs with dancehall melodies. There, the Puerto Rican artist creates an atmosphere with varied sounds and styles, including the Dominican dembow “No Te Mueras” in collaboration with El Alfa and the electronic-infused “Asi Es,” on which he teamed up with Tainy. Other collaborations on the album include J Balvin, Jhay Cortez, Mike Towers and Wisin, with whom he released the lead single “Provocame” on Friday. Giving honor to the name, Los 90 Piketes is an album that flaunts 90 different styles, sounds and genres. “I keep my word and promise to my fans. On this album they are going to listen to the old Miky Woodz, the one from now and the one from the future,” he expressed. — JR
El Shirota – “La Ciudad” (Devil in the Woods)
Mexican band El Shirota previews the band’s forthcoming Tiempos Raros, slated for June 12, with the thrashed “La Ciudad.” Produced by the four-member ensemble and mixed by bassist David Lemus, the alternative rock tune is a beeline back to the ’90s with its distorted guitar strums, moody lyrics and overall agog vibe, which inevitably push the listener to a sticky mosh pit. The raucous sound of the song pairs well with a collage of jolting images reminiscent of the late grunge rock scene in the music video, directed by Alejandra Villalba García. El Shirota is comprised of singer and guitarist Ignacio Gomez, Guitarist Ruben Anzaldúa, bassist David Lemus, and drummer Gabriel Mendoza. — PB
Mon Laferte – “Biutiful” (Universal Music)
The Chilean singer-songwriter is my quarantine alter ego with this simple, homemade video, in which she has an impromptu fashion show and is dressing up for no one other than herself. The biutiful and encouraging track is exactly what we need during these trying times: a dose of self-love and empowerment. The song was born a few weeks ago when Mon “woke up feeling pretty.” In the song, she sings, “Today, I will make love to myself because I feel biutiful,” followed by an explosion of powerful vocals going into the chorus. “I recorded this song shortly before all this madness unfolded,” Mon Laferte said. “I think it’s a bit foreboding.” The video was recorded in her best friend’s apartment in Mexico City where she is currently spending quarantine. — GF
Micro TDH – “Amor de Red Social” (Warner Music Latina)
Micro TDH dropped “Amor de Red Social” (Social Media Love), highlighting the reality of most couples today, a love that’s not real and only exists on social media. “What an irony, we look good on social media but next to me, you are so cold,” the Venezuelan singer and composer kicks off the track. “You don’t touch me, you only give me likes,” he continues, penning in his lyrics that he wants real love, real affection and not only something that lasts 24 hours like an Instagram story. Produced by Ovy on the Drums, “Amor de Red Social” is accompanied by a head-bopping electric guitar, bringing to life a sensual funk, fused with urban beats and most importantly, spotlighting Micro TDH’s crisp powerful vocals. The music video was filmed in Barcelona by director Laura Matinova and shows a couple’s virtual relationship versus their real one. — JR
El Chisme – “Colita” (Criteria)
Hailing from Los Angeles’ underground alternative scene arrive El Chisme, a trio whose versatile sound is rooted in the southeast streets of the city and the colossal echoes of the patios of Latin American communities. Its latest single “Colita” is a manifestation of the musicians’ desire to propel the mélange of sounds that ground them, a fusion of Afro-Antillean rhythms with a punk-rock attitude. The song was written by drummer Ariel Fredrickson and bassist Sarah Corza accompanied by Zeke Zeledón on guitar and produced by the band. — PB
