Junior H’s Sensual & Glamorous ‘Culpable’ & More Best New Music Latin
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Alejandro Sanz & Rels B, “No Me Tires Flores” (Sony Music España)
Spanish artists Alejandro Sanz and Rels B merge tradition and modernity in their first collaboration, “No Me Tires Flores.” Evocative both musically and lyrically, the pop song with hints of flamenco and rap speaks to the search for true love. “No, don’t throw flowers at me, that’s for the dead/ No, no one is needed, I understand that now/ It doesn’t cost a billion to buy us/ If you love me like I love you, everything is perfect,” they sing together in the chorus, uniting the singer-songwriter’s husky voice with the softer tones of the rapper in a harmonious way. The song was premiered on Sept. 12 during Sanz’s first of six shows at the National Auditorium in Mexico City as part of his ¿Y Ahora Qué? tour. The moment was captured live, becoming the song’s official music video. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Junior H, “Culpable” (Rancho Humilde/Warner Music Latina)
In the midst of his $ad Boyz Live & Broken tour, Junior H delivers his new single “Culpable.” Written by Junior H and David Álvarez, and produced by Andrés Farías, Cristian Osorio, and Gustavo Farías, the song oozes glam and sensuality while staying true to the Música Mexicana star’s emotional trademark. The artist born Antonio Herrera Pérez is joined by the Macedonian Symphony: Fame’s Orchestra for a soft and jazzy pop ballad à la Luis Miguel in the ’90s. “And if I find out about someone else, if I see you, I’ll be jealous/ I know he’s not the real one, he’s a prisoner/ I’ve been through that, and I’ve even lost my ground,” he chants in the track about love, lust, and guilt. Inspired by “The Great Gatsby” era, the cinematic music video directed by Carlos Reyes Vega (Closrv), John Dela Casa and Seb Espin, shows Junior H having a luxurious lifestyle through his “sad boy” lens. — JESSICA ROIZ
Banda MS & Fuerza Regida, “Seguro Le Dolió” (Lizos Music)
Heartbreak at its finest is the protagonist of this song, an anthem for those hurt by a relationship that didn’t end on good terms. With his rugged vocals, Jesús Ortiz Paz, leader of Fuerza Régida, introduces the story directly: “It sure hurt her, falling from above, from where I put her,” he chants, followed by the softer vocals of Banda MS’ Alan Ramírez: “The so-called princess, one day she lost her manners and she lost me/ Having been the perfect guy was of no use.” Immediately after, the Sinaloa band sounds, and the excellent fusion of two generations of regional Mexican music (with two of the greatest groups) begins. Written by Horacio Palencia, Nathan Galante and Diego Bolela, “Seguro Le Dolió,” which translates to “it probably hurt her,” marks the third collaborative effort between Banda MS and Fuerza Régida. — TERE AGUILERA
iLe, “Si Te Contara” (La Buena Fortuna Music)
With her new single, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter iLe reaffirms her deep understanding of the mystique contained within the bolero genre, a style rooted in the former Calle 13 member’s sonic DNA. “Si Te Contara” marks her own version of the song popularized by Ismael Rivera in 1959 and originally written by Felix Reina. The Latin GRAMMY winner’s interpretation of this second cut from Como las canto yo, her new LP dedicated to bolero, is passionate and dramatic, yet virtuosic, delighting the listener with vibrant rhythms from the Latin American songbook. In a statement, iLe says she has always enjoyed this song for its beautiful melody “that flows well with calm and a contained sadness.” — NATALIA CANO
Israel & New Breed, Coritos Vol. 2 (Integrity Music US)
With Coritos Vol. 2, Israel Houghton & New Breed revitalize 16 Christian music classics, both their own work and iconic hymns of the genre in English and Spanish. Recognized for his impact on contemporary English-language gospel, Houghton returns to Spanish with ease to create this tribute to Latin culture, continuing the project begun with Coritos Vol. 1, released in May. The sequel features Alex Campos on “Te Necesito,” Miel San Marcos on the energetic “Coritos con Miel,” Marcos Witt on the moving “Dios Ha sido Bueno,” and his wife Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, formerly of The Cheetah Girls, on a heartfelt version of “Dios Está Aquí.” Also notable is the participation of Janina Rosado, musical director of Juan Luis Guerra and 4.40, on “Gloria Aleluya.” With impeccable live instrumentation, the musicality shines through from start to finish on this album, where gospel collides with a vibrant fusion of Latin music arrangements. — LUISA CALLE
aLex vs aLex & S.3.R, “centro (aLt)” (omw records)
A hypnotic collision of sensual reggaetón and experimental alt-pop sway, “centro (aLt)” finds New York-based Guatemalan trailblazer aLex vs aLex (Sofía Insua) and Chicago-based Colombian artist S.3.R (Camilo Medina of Divino Niño) reimagining rhythm through intimacy and release. Infused with guaracha-inspired beats, the track invites listeners to lose themselves in its entrancing rhythms and the seamless interplay of bilingual lyrics. Co-written and produced by Medina, “centro (aLt)” builds on aLex vs aLex’s debut EP nyc minute, offering a “looser, sweatier” twist, as Medina describes in the press release. The collaboration marks an exciting fusion of two artists currently pushing the boundaries of Latin alternative music. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
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