Chencho Corleone Drops Debut ‘Solo’ Album & More Best New Music Latin
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Espa?ol editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Chencho Corleone, SOLO (Cero/Sony Music Latin)
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The wait is over: Chencho Corleone has dropped his debut album SOLO, five years after parting ways from popular early 2000s reggaetón duo Plan B. “I know many doubted and bet against me, what will they say now, I wonder?/ My people didn’t bend, they trusted me, and now we are relaxing,” he opens up in the 37-second intro “Tirao Pa Tra” powered by dramatic violins. Home to 18 songs, the set stays faithful to Chencho’s sound, notably with a handful of futuristic perreos such as “Menta,” “Good Times” and “District.” The Puerto Rican artist also experimented with cumbia in “Lo Caro y Lo Bueno” and electronic music in the closing track “Himalaya.”
“It took me many nights working without looking at the clock to finish this album that I’m sure will be one of your favorites,” he expressed in an Instagram post. “Thanks to all the artists and producers who collaborated with me, thank you!!! Thankful to all my fans for waiting that finally… the day has come !!! Enjoy SOLO just as I enjoyed creating it for you.” SOLO — which includes the previously-released single “Un Cigarrillo,” Chencho’s first solo No. 1 hit on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart — also includes star-studded collaborations with Peso Pluma, DJ Snake, Rauw Alejandro, Jowell & Randy, Bryant Myers and Jay Wheeler, the latter on the focus track “Cinco Estrellas.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Maria Becerra, “AGORA” (Warner Music Latina)
In “AGORA,” María Becerra, “La Nena de Argentina” (“Argentine babe”), takes a bold step by including Portuguese in her repertoire, fusing genres such as bossa nova and rap. With a delicate and seductive performance, Becerra explores the deep regret of a failed relationship, while searching for a second chance through her melodic singing in Portuguese and rap verses in Spanish. The black-and-white music video presents Becerra as a sensual and dangerous siren, with an elegant and mysterious visual aesthetic that perfectly complements the emotional duality of the song. — LUISA CALLE
Kim Loaiza, X Amor II (Space Music/Warner Music Latina)
In her latest release, X Amor II, Kim Loaiza ambitiously builds upon the foundations laid by her 2023 debut, X Amor. The Mexican singer and social media influencer keenly demonstrates her evolving artistry through an eclectic mix of genres ranging from reggaetón to música mexicana, peppered with other unexpected styles. The opener “5 Babys” is a powerhouse introduction to the expanding urbano movement, featuring an all-female lineup with Spanish MC Ptazeta, Mexican reggaetonera Bellakath, Argentine lyricist Yami Safdie, and Colombian rapper Fariana. Together, they set a bold tone with assertive, debaucherous lyrics (“Ando con cinco babys, y todas están duras,” who are “Todas están encendidas para el descontrol“).
Experiments with diverse genres are evident in tracks like “Perro” and “Se Mi Gato,” which display EDM tendencies while maintaining an undercurrent of Latin infectiousness. “QuesoXte,” an already-released single featuring Codiciado, offers a seamless transition into rowdy corridos. Meanwhile, “Antes de Dormir” and “Hentai” reverberate with the core sounds of reggaetón. In a different vein, “Me Dolió” presents an emotionally resonant strain of bachata-urbano, while “Los Besos Que Te Di” merges grupera and cumbia, illustrating her facility with traditional sounds wrapped in contemporary flair. Across 14 tracks, the Mexicali star does more than explore romantic narratives but encapsulates themes of empowerment, resilience and authenticity. With X Amor II, Loaiza solidifies her multifaceted ability to push expectations in Latin music. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Arthur Hanlon, Yotuel & Darell, “Repetimos” (Sony Music Latin)
“Repetimos” is the new single by well-known pianist Arthur Hanlon in collaboration with Cuban rapper Yotuel and Puerto Rican urban artist Darrel. The saucy melting pot of rhythms fuses mambo, reggaetón, and a funky tumbao, all backed by Hanlon’s smooth and exquisite piano struts. Yotuel brings sensuality to the tune with his flavorful vocals, while Darell contributes with his raspier tones and hard-hitting rap bars. Lyrically, “Repetimos” (“let’s repeat”) is about reliving the fun moments of romance and excitement, emphasizing the idea that some experiences are always worth repeating.— INGRID FAJARDO
MARI, “Tonada Del Callejero” (AP Global Music)
Emerging artist MARI “La Carajita” offers a hypnotizing fusion of urban music and Venezuelan llanero music, subtly transporting us to the countryside through sustained falsetto verses like “the street is calling me,” and bringing us back to the city with forceful drum rhythms, rap and cuatro. “The street is calling me because I think she likes me/And that doesn’t bother me so much because I liked her too,” she sings in this exciting experiment. Within a wave of Venezuelan talent that has achieved international recognition in the last few years, MARI stands out for her originality and her mastery. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Marcelo Rubio, lo que escribí mientras no estabas ?? (Sony Music Latin)
In his album debut, 21 year-old Venezuelan singer/songwriter Marcelo Rubio referencies Alejandro Sanz in the opening line of his single “Besos desechables” (Disposable Kisses): “If Alejandro Sanz has a broken heart and Bad Bunny a broken soul, I can’t imagine how the fuck mine is,” he says, a nod to Sanz’s iconic hit “Corazón Partío.” The reference is apt, considering Rubio’s lyrical approach evokes Sanz’s in the way he applies beautifully crafted lyrics to intricate rhythmic patterns. While the craft has roots in the masters, the execution is thoroughly modern. Rubio’s songs of love and loss are set to lush, layered arrangements, or alternately, to acoustic guitars, piano and keyboards, his vocals alternating between singing and chanting. But the thread are the lyrics, contemporary poetry refreshing the Latin music landscape. — LEILA COBO
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
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