La Perla – Rosalía
One of Latin music’s leading ladies is back with another formidable concept and LP this time in the form of ‘LUX’, a 13 varied-language, religion-laced, confessional project. This song has made waves thanks to its no-nonsense direct lyrics like “La decepción local, rompecorazones nacional / Un terrorista emocional, el mayor desastre mundial”, suspected to be describing former lover and fellow musician Rauw Alejandro. Other standouts from this album include ‘Porcelana’, ‘De Madrúga’ and ‘Sexo, Violencia y Llantas’. Rosalía is no stranger to crafting some clean-cut, flawless and precise hit records and this track is (excuse the wordplay) an absolute gem.
$extape – De La Rose and Eladio Carrion
It’s trap, it’s sensual, it’s De La Rose… and Eladio Carrion. This Puerto Rican singer never shys away from the nitty-gritty, this time opening with “Grabamo' par de sextapes, el iPhone sin el face”. Carrion wastes no time getting down to business as he admits, “Sex drive, F1, Leclerc (Skrrt)” before doubling down on this with the direct, “Le puse un pie en la cabeza y squirt”. She might be one year late to the trend, but De La Rose has finally found someone who can match her freak as she orders, “Tú ere' mi partner in crime, puesto pa'l delito”.
Pierdo La Cabeza - Maria Becerra, Taichu and XROSS
Mixing something old with something new, Becerra opts for a beat produced by notable friend and longtime collaborator XROSS while also choosing first-time collaborator and fellow Argentinian TAICHU to feature throughout. ‘Pierdo La Cabeza’ follows one of pop’s longtime formulas with a chorus-led introduction that makes the chorus even more addictive. TAICHU’s lines “De lejo' no me deja de mirar” and “No sé cuánto más pueda durar” are synchronised with a drill-fused drum, it’s flawless. The two are a perfect fit as they divide and conquer this track, if this single was a cake, XROSS would be the cherry on top.
LA FKN VIBRA - Sebastián Yatra and Xavi
The pre-chorus with the synths that coincide and match the intonation of Yatra and Xavi’s words on lines like “Ando bien borracho / En la discoteca” and “Y tú tan coqueta / Viniste sin vato” is unreal. It also helps to build up anticipation for that in-your-face full reggaeton production, which is much appreciated, especially on a song with a title like ‘LA FKN VIBRA’. After the first chorus, the distinctive dembow stays throughout and keeps the vibes high as the two sing about one of bachata’s leading musicians “Como Romeo, es noche de sexo”. This is begging to be played in a club.
Única - Tainy and Karol G
A deep guitar strum sets off this track and it foreshadows the intimacy in Giraldo’s lyrics as she recalls a clearly memorable and intense relationship. The “Eh-eh-eh” staccato vocals on the end of lines like “Se ha quedado pa' siempre, eh-eh” and “Sé que vas a extrañarme, eh-eh” throughout the chorus are instant lyrical earworms. The original single may only be just over two minutes long, but the video that accompanies it adds another minute, displaying Karol G in a variety of shots with floor-length hair and a pure white frilly dress. Formidable, but we expect nothing less from two of reggaeton’s best.
Bonus Track:
Pregunta Le La Luna - Danny Lux
The sombre song maestro is back with another acoustic melody but this time as well as putting pen to paper to fix his love dilemmas, he’s also relying on the moon. “Pregúntale a la luna si yo dejé de amarte” he advises, while a lullaby-like flurry of guitar strings play out underneath his emotive tone. Three minutes in, the song takes a murky tone with Lux’s voice becoming blurry while stints of his vocals echo. The Mexican musician has once again perfected and polished his musical style with this single being part of his latest LP Leyenda (Deluxe).
