“First Stream Latin” is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Reik & Aitana “Enemigos” (Universal Music Spain)
Spanish singer-songwriter Aitana and Mexican trio Reik join forces to fight against evil that goes by the name “Silence” in new song “Enemigos.” In the upbeat track, penned by Aitana, Mango, Nabález, Deluchi and Chris Zadley, Reik’s Jesús Navarro and Aitana sing about an old love that keeps haunting you even though you’ve moved on. To fight the ghosts of past relationships and revive the joy of music in the process, Aitana becomes the ultimate superhero who injects vitality to everyone she encounters. The visuals were directed by Antiestático with animations by Alkimia Studio and drawings illustrated by Laia Lopez. — GRISELDA FLORES
Tambino – Tambino EP (El Niño)
Perun-born, NY-based Kam Tambini, who goes by Tambino, releases his self-titled debut EP as a solo act. The 5-track set is a brew of Perun folk with cumbia percussion and shoegaze guitars which he experimented with in his days as member of experimental group Glass Gang. “Blonde Undone,” the EP’s opening track kicks off with a strong presence of the güira which rides the unpredictable beat throughout the song. The Spanish “El Amanecer” draws from Tambino’s musical heritage between Lima and Bogota ushered by reggaetón beats and gloomy synth chords. The dreamy “5 AM Spirit” closes echoing a trancelike Andean sonority while “Shadow” continues with a tonal shift as the airy tune rests on brassy guitar riffs and Tambino’s caressed vocals. The Michael Beharie-produced set is a combination of cultural influences with synth over cumbia, post-punk guitar chords and subtle brushstrokes of dembow percussion. —PAMELA BUSTIOS
Alexis y Fido – La Escuela (Universal Music Latino)
Six years after the release of La Escencia, Alexis & Fido return with their seventh studio album La Escuela. The 17-song set kicks off with “Violenta,” the opening track that marks their comeback to the game. In songs such as “Pura,” “Complicada,” and “Tu Flow,” the Puerto Rican duo, best known as Los Reyes del Perreo, stay true to their old-school reggaeton and perreo essence that had distinguished them since the early 2000s. La Escuela also counts with collaborations with Justin Quiles, Don Omar, Nacho, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Jon Z, Nio Garcia, Casper Magico, El Dominio & Danna Meza. Stream it below. — JESSICA ROIZ
Noel Schajris “Hijo del Mar” (Dynamo Productions)
Inspired by the birth of his son Dylan, “Hijo del Mar (Son of the Sea)” is a beautiful love song penned by the Argentinian singer-songwriter where he expresses his infinite love for Dylan, as infinite as the ocean. In an Instagram live, Noel Schajris confessed that he wasn’t able to witness the birth of his son three years ago as he was away attending an awards show. The heartwarming song was born while Schajris is in confinement with his family. The title of the song comes from the meaning of Dylan, which in Welsh mythology means “son of the sea.” —G.F.
Eslabon Armado – “Con Tus Besos” (DEL Records)
Eslabon Armado dropped the music video for “Con Tus Besos,” part of their debut album Tu Veneno Mortal, which arrived at No. 9 on the Top Latin Albums chart dated May 16. With lyrics about a girl’s beauty and declaration of love, the fresh corrido brings to the forefront the trio’s romantic side. “I focused on writing stories to dedicate to others, one of them being ‘Con Tus Besos,’” 17-year-old Pedro Tovar, lead vocalist and composer of the group tells Billboard. “Con Tus Besos” peaked at No. 21 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and at No. 16 on the Latin Streaming Songs chart dated April 25. The official music video, filmed at a neon-drenched bowling alley, premiered on May 14 and landed on YouTube’s trending page. — J.R.
Olga Tañon – “Alexa” (Mia Musa Music)
During these trying times, Olga Tañon released “Alexa,” a soothing acoustic guitar melody with powerful lyrics to shed light on the importance of tolerance. “Lean on my shoulder / come cry your sadness / it hurts me to see you suffer,” the merengue star sings on the track. “Alexa” was inspired by the murder of Puerto Rican transgender woman Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, a.k.a. Alexa, with the mission of putting a stop on hate, discrimination and racism. The music video shows black-and-white images of 50 personalities with photoshopped bruises, amongst them Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi, and Victor Manuelle. “More tolerance, less hate,” reads a message in the clip. — J.R.
Residente “Antes Que El Mundo Se Acabe” (Sony Music)
In his new song “Antes Que El Mundo Se Acabe,” Residente suggests that before the world ends, “we gotta kiss now.” And that’s exactly what more than 100+ couples around the world did in Residente’s new seven-minute video featuring an array of couples including Bad Bunny and girlfriend Gabriela, Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela and Ricky Martin and his husband Jwan Yosef. Read our interview with the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter here where he talks about the process of making “Antes Que El Mundo Se Acabe.” —G.F.
Andres Cepeda – Trece (Sony Music Entertainment)
The number 13 is often linked with “bad luck” but for Andres Cepeda it’s a celebration of his musical trajectory. That’s why, the Colombian singer-songwriter presents his new album TRECE, honoring his 13th studio album released on May 13. With pop ballads such as the opening track, “Déjame Ir” to the urban-vallenato, “Magia” with Sebastian Yatra, Cepeda’s TRECE explores new rhythms while remaining faithful to his romantic essence. Read more about TRECE here. — J.R.
