Tini & Beéle – Universidad
The Argentinian pop-princess returns and has company from Beéle as they enroll at ‘Universidad del olvido’. The video is a light-hearted interpretation of overcoming a past relationship. Tini tries exercise, meditating and even tarot reading for consolation. Beéle poses, “¿Por qué será que las más locas son las más bonitas?” while balancing his new role as Tini’s doctor. He also admits “Cupido siempre me la hace”, something Tini knows all too well with her hit ‘Cupido’ in 2023. It’s clear both singers have used this merengue link-up to show that they’re still and always will be learning about love.
Bad Gyal – Da Me
The Spanish hitmaker triumphs on her first solo song since the exceptional debut La Joia, it’s nothing short of a spectacle. ‘Da Me’ might have kickstarted Bad Gyal’s new era but that doesn’t mean anything is changing. In true Alba style the playful lyrics are here to stay, “Cualquier tíguere no entra / Pero tú rompiste, quitaste el seguro a la puerta”. As this reggaeton reigning champ embarks on her ‘Bikini Badness’ tour, “Da-da-da-da- dame” will become a setlist staple alongside the viral ‘Sexy’ mashup which fuses her hit with unreleased Ariana Grande track unofficially titled ‘Sex’.
Karol G & Feid – Verano Rosa
Latin legend and human dictionary Karol G is back with 20 songs and another new phrase for our vocabularies: Tropicoqueta. She may be leading this album with Spanglish single ‘Papasito’ but it’s lovestruck collaboration with fellow Colombian Feid, ‘Verano Rosa’, where she shines even more. This duet marks their third time working together but first as an official couple. Giraldo sings “Hoy hago lo que sea por mirarte” over a fitting summer-influenced beat while Feid promises, “Estoy a ley de una señal, márcame al cellular”. Let’s hope this year brings a ‘Pink Sumer’ for everyone ¡Que chimba!
Feid – Keloide
‘Keloide’ is a bold reggaeton number and although Feid himself is a great factor for what makes this track so addictive, the distorted instrumental loop scratches a particular itch in your brain, keeping you listening again and again. If one lyric could sum up the whole track it would be “Yo te tiro, pero no la encesto”, Feid wears his heart on his sleeve detailing, “Mami, tú sabes que por ti hago lo que sea / No me dejes solo con la carga”. The track may be a love letter for someone who’s moved on but the song itself sticks like an earworm.
Marcio Kiami – Puro Contacto
Although entering the reggaeton scene in 2021 with a few staggered single releases, Marcio Kiami has used the last year to steadily drop some back-to-back bangers including the latest, ‘Puro Contacto’. He’s got high hopes for this track branding it as the ‘Tema del Verano’ online, it’s hard to deny how catchy this track is and therefore maybe this self-declaration isn’t that far off. There’s bold beats, an electronic loop and Kiami’s whisper-like vocals, this is reggaeton. There’s no denying Kiami, because when he says ‘Puro Contaco’ he means it.
Bonus Track:
Carín Leon & Maluma – Si Tú Me Vieras
One phrase the pair keep coming back to at the end of every chorus is “Seguramente otra oportunidad me dieras”. Although listeners aren’t hearing the other lover’s perspective, it’s safe to say we’re rooting for them to get back together. Maluma pleads “Si algo de mí en tu vida se conserva / Entoncesvamos a intentarlo de nuevo” over guitar strings that feel like heartfelt tears, while Leon knows, “Ya tomaste tu decisión, pero”. This Colombian and Mexican partnership is remarkable and their voices and tones compliment the regional Mexican sounds perfectly. A collaborative album just like this would be a dream come true.
