Bad Gyal & Trueno – Angelito
Wearing a bright red shirt inscribed with the song’s title while flaunting on a beach, Bad Gyal is “Aquí en la isla relajada”, while Trueno is feeling protective warning “Nadie toca a mi gyal”. Alba is back on the angel grind; the single translates to little angel and reaches listeners five years after her 2018 ‘Worldwide Angel’ mixtape. Throughout the video Bad Gyal is lighting one up and much like the red joint she’s smoking, her career is flying just as high.The steel drum stints which start halfway through the song are minute but much needed, they contribute to the island vibe felt through the track.
Lola Indigo, Maria Becerra, Villano Antillano – LA REINA (Remix)
There’s never a wrong time for a little bit of merengue and when it’s in the hands of three Reggaeton supernovas, it hits even harder, no wonder the single is titled ‘LA REINA’. The original solo track released back in June last year but who can say no to verses from ‘La nena de Argentina’ and multitalented Puerto Rican Villano Antillano. Much like the original, the outro of the instrumental transforms into an EDM fusion to keep you second guessing, after all, “Que tú no puedes ser rey si no tiene' a la reina”.
ROBI & Sebastian Yatra – Lienzo
Puerto Rico meets Colombia in this pop lullaby which perfectly encompasses the feeling of falling head over heels for someone, que lindo! The soft and gentle guitar plucks, the heartbeat rushing drums and ROBI’s delicate vocals, it’s everything that’s needed to make a wholesome melody such as this. Just like ROBI points out before each chorus, “Las mariposas se sienten aquí”, and it couldn’t be truer. Yatra is no stranger to a ballad, so much so, he take care of his fellow collaborator saying “ROBI, tranquilo, te va a dar un ataque, tranquilo”, to which the young star responds and finishes the song with “'Taba inspirado, sorry”.
Central Cee & Young Miko – Gata
Alright. From San Juan to Shepherd’s Bush it’s a cross continental link-up with two of music’s latest greats. This may be Miko’s first UK collaboration but she’s not afraid of throwing herself into the deep end in prime position opening the record. Singing “Una pa' pasar la vida, la otra el rato” this Puerto Rican certainly knows what she’s talking about, achieving multiple big breaks into the mainstream music scene, including this track. This isn’t Miko’s first English rodeo, she’s collaborated on US R&B sensation Kehlani’s track ‘Sucia’ last year. It’s refreshing to see Miko on a drill masterpiece.
Bad Bunny – NUEVAYoL
Everyone’s been going crazy over Bad Bunny’s latest project, from his decision to incorporate local and native Puerto Rican sounds and giving them a whole new meaning in pop culture or the audacious releases ‘EL CLúB’ and ‘BAILE INoLVIDABLE’, but our chosen track is the album’s introduction ‘NUEVAYoL’. The addictive horns, the audio cuts and Bad Bunny’s usual Reggaeton beats make this a guaranteed smash hit. Benito poses the question “¿Cómo Bad Bunny va a ser rey del pop, ey, con reggaetón y dembow?”, that’s clearly rhetorical because he already is, the world is always waiting for his next “move'-ve'-ve'-ve'”.
Bonus Track:
RaiNao – BSUKEO
Just missing out on a New Year’s release, RaiNao used the final days of 2024 to transport music lovers back in time while keeping them hooked with her familiar bass boosted Reggaeton rhythms and tongue in cheek lyrics, literally – “Mi lengua de party en tu boca”. Her album released at the start of last year and what better way to round up the past twelve months by dropping another powerful single that highlights her infamous bold and sultry nature, it’s just one of the many reasons we fell in love with her in the first place. Here’s to many more fierce singles!
