242 songs, videos, and albums submitted for review this week
48 Roses, single by Mariachi el Bronx. It’s mariachi, it’s pop, it’s punk, it’s funny, and it’s an earworm. After a 10-year hiatus, the LA mariachi trailblazers released a new album,Mariachi El Bronx IV, pushing creative boundaries while honoring the Hispanic music and culture of Los Angeles. “48 Roses” is the lead-off song, and it will draw you into the rest of the album. Stream on Spotify and all major platforms.
La Primera Vez, single by Opa! & Juliana. The jazz fusion band, originally from Uruguay, known for blending Afro-Uruguayan candombe rhythms with North American jazz, rock, and funk, has teamed up with Latin-Grammy-winning Colombian Juliana Velásquez to blend her Latin pop with their unique rhythm blends to produce a thoroughly mesmerizing piece of music for the Netflix TV series Eva Lasting (originally titled La Primera Vez ). Stream on Spotify. Spanish.
Carta, single by Joaquina. The 21-year-old Venezuelan-born singer-songwriter, now based in Miami, has risen quickly on the Latin music scene, winning the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2023 at just 19 years old. This song shows us why: contemporary pop blended with alternative sounds and Latin influences, supporting emotionally honest confessional lyrics about love, growing up, and identity. Her voice is plaintive, but confident. The complexity of the arrangement underscores her young talent – experienced, yet still experimental. Stream on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music. Spanish
Electrocuatao, single by Alih Jey. A little bit of playful experimentation for the woman nominated for a Blues Guitar Grammy, this song combines Jey’s powerful singing, Latin influences, and smooth production into a tune that keeps you moving and humming along. Stream on Spotify and all major platforms. Spanish.
Como Un G, single by Rosalia. The two-time Grammy and 12-time Latin Grammy award-winning Spanish singer, producer, songwriter has produced a soothing, emotional, ethereal music that floats you along until it takes you on a musical water ride – up and down, outer limits and then back again. Listen carefully to the accents and below the surface sounds. A fascinating piece of music. Stream everywhere. Spanish
Patrick O’Heffernan