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.
Yeison Jiménez & Silvestre Dangond, “Gracias A Ti” (Sony Music Entertainment Colombia)
Colombia’s growing movement of “música regional,” the country’s version of regional Mexican music, keeps gaining traction locally. Now, top act Yeison Jiménez is looking to expand further with “Gracias A Ti,” where he joins forces with vallenato star Silvestre Dangond.
The mix of instrumentation — the “regional” trumpets, the very Colombian guitars, the vallenato accordion — is crunchy and luscious. And the song itself is simply loads of fun, a 2/4 norteño stomp with a simpler accordion line that immediately invites one to the dance floor. It’s a different kind of fusion and one that can connect with fans from many sides of the aisle. — LEILA COBO
Jowell y Randy x J Balvin, “Anaranjado” (Rimas Entertainment)
OG reggaetoneros Jowell y Randy recruit J Balvin for their new track “Anaranjado (Orange),” a slowed-down contemporary reggaetón tune that finds the Puerto Rican duo and the Colombian superstar exchanging slick verses about a special someone who they can’t get off their mind. Marking the third collab between Jowell y Randy and J Balvin — in 2011 they released “Sin Compromiso,” and in 2017 “Bonita” — “Anaranjado” was penned by the three artists.
“It’s an honor to continue collaborating with J Balvin, a little over 10 years ago we started a musical union that back then was underrated,” said Jowell & Randy. “Now years later we still continue to cross each other’s musical paths supporting one another as we did from the start. Today we take our art to a new level and present to you ‘Anaranjado.'” — GRISELDA FLORES
Brytiago, Orgánico (Duars Entertainment/Business Music)
After getting on the radar in 2018 with hits such as “Asesina,” Brytiago (real name: Bryan Cancel Santiago) presents his debut studio album Orgánico. Dropping on his birthday week, the album was long overdue for loyal fans, who now get to enjoy 16 songs including the previously-released “Cositas,” “Te Falle,” “Borracho,” and “Dispo,” to name a few.
Showcasing his versatility as an artist, the 27-year-old does not shy away from sultry reggaeton beats, R&B fusions and catchy Latin trap melodies. Three songs you should not sleep on are “Tik Tok,” which narrates the story of a man who deletes all the memories with his ex from the app, “Quizas” in collaboration with Ozuna and Lunay, and the captivating “Crush” with Jon Z and Cromo X.
Other featured artists on Orgánico include Wisin, Farruko, Jhay Cortez and Rauw Alejandro. Steam and listen to the album below. — JESSICA ROIZ
Los Blenders, “Mazunte 2016” (Devil In The Woods)
Mexican’s Los Blenders previous their third studio album Mazunte 2016 (due out Sept. 25) with its title track, which is soaked in the bouncy pop-rock of the ’60s. The Coapa punk surf quartet, fronted by Alejandro Archundia, who’s also on guitar, prowl through the coasts of Mazunte in Oaxaca, Mexico in a music clip shot in Super 8. They’re in search of a parallel world when things were simpler and life gasped on cleaner air.
Archunde lends nimble pop vocals to this sun-drenched tune baked in psychedelia, with the unreserved guitar riffs by Patricio González, the brisk bass chords by Osmar Espinosa, and the resilient drum set by José Manuel Martínez. Together, they look back at the romanticism and nostalgia of traditional surf instrumentals. — PAMELA BUSTIOS
Danna Paola, Sebastián Yatra, “No Bailes Sola” (Universal Music Mexico)
Danna Paola and Sebastián Yatra join forces for the first time with “No Bailes Sola (Don’t Dance Alone),” a fresh, rhythmic pop track with an infectious beat and catchy and seductive lyrics like, “Don’t dance alone, don’t risk anything alone. The time has come … I want to kiss you, let’s try it now.” The song was released along with a lyric video that serves as a teaser for fans before the premiere of the official video. No word yet on when the clip will drop but for now, listen to “No Bailes Sola” below. — G.F.
Piso 21 & Feid, “Querida” (Warner Music Mexico)
Teaming up for the first time, Piso 21 and Feid bring “Querida” to life. Without compromising their distinct pop-urbano melodies, the Colombian group taps into new rhythms, giving “Querida” an ’80s funk twist. Feid also adds his smooth tropical vibes to the new summer bop. The boys playfully sing about finally going on a date with the person they have been after for a long time: “This is love in the time of perreo.” Paying tribute to the 1980s, a rad music video shows all five artists living their best quarantine life. Watch it below. — J.R.
Ana Tijoux, “Pa’ Que,” featuring PJ Sin Suela (Victoria Producciones)
“Pa’ Que” delivers a strong jolt to police and politicians as Ana Tijoux questions the deficiencies in her home country, Chile, where confinement has set the country on an unorthodox course. The new single is a preview of Antifa Dance, the French-Chilean’s first album in six years, and features the lithe vocals of Puerto Rican rapper PJ Sin Suela, who brings his Caribbean wit. The song strongly points out police brutality and the corruption of politicians.
The pair dabbles with cumbia, fiddles with words, and turns social discontent into a bash as the song takes a sudden tonal shift, speeding up into merengue party, and brings a note of levity to crucial matters, all while convincing listeners to pay attention. — P.B.
Elena Rose, “La Ducha” (Guerrera de la Luz)
The Venezuelan singer-songwriter is all about self-love in her new song “La Ducha,” released alongside a seductive video. The hypnotizing and cheeky lyrics to the track find Elena Rose gushing over her crush whom she’s head over heels for. While her prowess as a songwriter has caught the attention of artists like Becky G and CNCO, it’s her soothing vocals that are at the forefront of this track. –– G.F.
Tini, Khea, “Ella Dice” (Hollywood Records)
Tini and Khea, two of Argentina’s hottest artists of the moment, have joined forces for “Ella Dice,” a flirty pop-reggaeton that perfectly spotlights their musical chemistry. With the contagious chorus line, “She says she loves you but she doesn’t love you like me, me,” Tini sings about being one of a kind, irresistible and unforgettable.
On his verses, the Argentine trap artist teases with lines of seduction and being a bad boy. Co-directed by Diego Peskins and Nuno Gomes, the music video shows both artists having a fiery connection even though each of their scenes were filmed separately during quarantine. — J.R.
Rizha, “Live The Weekend,” featuring Girli (Nacional Records)
Argentinean singer-songwriter Rizha teams up with Londoner singer-songwriter and rapper Milly Toomey, aka Girli, on “Live The Weekend,” an explosive candid statement of feminism that also subverts gender norms; 21-year-old queer and Madrid-based Rizha and 19-year-old pansexual Girli redefine the idea of sexuality with propulsive force.
Extroverted by nature, both acts comfortably wear the feminist suit grounded in a philosophy of exploration, freedom and plain straightforwardness. The song, co-written by Rizha and Girli, is ushered by a #TGIF-styled music video directed by Rizha with cameos by Bilbao YouTuber and actress Soy Una Pringada (Esty Quesada), Spanish-Taiwanese singer, producer and activist Putochinomaricón (Chenta Tsai Tseng) and Spanish DJ and producer Chesko, among others. — P.B.
Valentino x Darell x Rauw Alejandro, “Hola” (Warner Music Latina)
After making the rounds with his pop-infused reggaeton tracks “Besame” and “Tu y Yo,” Valentino is back with a new flow in “Hola,” his first single and video of 2020. The Puerto Rican artist, this time joined by Rauw Alejandro and Darell, dropped a reggaeton-meets-Latin trap, perfect for club quarantine. The lyrics of “Hola” tell the story of two people who had chemistry, lost touch, and are hooking up once again. In its accompanying music video, all three artists perform the song in a room filled with lights and hanging microphones. — J.R.
Blssom, “Dímelo”(Afónico Music)
Indie-Latin pop-rock band Blssom releases “Dímelo,” a laid-back tune produced by Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls, C+C Music Factory) that journeys through electro-pop with looseness and fluidity. The song flounders on the weight of certainty and pushes one to cede to the natural ambiguity of falling in love.
“’Dímelo’ is about those doubts that persuade you to the point of continuous repetition,” states the group, which is fronted by New York singer-songwriter Patricia Cornejo and Colombian bassist and producer Carlos Marín. Cornejo’s honeyed vocals pair well with the textured music clip, shot in New York by Laura Martinova, and is convoyed by Argel Cota on drums, Josh Sonntag on guitar and Marín on bass. — P.B.
Aron Luix, “Inocente” (Joch Entertainment/WK Records)
At 18 years old, Aron Luix officially enters the music industry with his debut single “Inocente” under WK Records, Walter Kolm’s new label. For his new record, Luix, who has previously shared a stage with CNCO, teamed up with award-winning hitmakers Rude Boyz and Edgar Barrera as well as with Maluma, who penned the lyrics. “Inocente” tells the story of a girl whose innocent looks are deceiving and she’s out to get revenge on her cheating boyfriend. — J.R.
Sen Senra,“Perfecto” (Sonido Muchacho, Universal Music Spain)
Spanish Christian Senra, better known as Sen Senra, basks in the alluring and bellicose pulsations of trap in “Perfecto,” his new single and follow up to “Nada y Nadie,” which melds R&B and rap with pop brushstrokes. The 25-year-old’s scintillating rapped vocals toys with flow and cadence in an intimate tune that reflects on realities with airy sensibility and minimalist arrangements produced by Anxo Ferreira (Novedades Carminha, Nistra). The song arrives with a music clip projected into an otherworldly landscape imagery directed by Jean Lafleur. — P.B.
