HOT HALF DOZEN 8.1.23

Some classic combos this week: Draco Rosa and Natalia Lafourcade, Yoss Bones and Nanpa Basica, Francisca Valenzuela and Ximena Sarinana.

125 songs submitted this week  

Spanish Goodbye, single by Cecilia Noel and Colin Hay. Absolutely beautiful celebration of life and love by a remarkable – if improbable – married musical couple. An  emotionally moving bi-lingual story of separation and eternal love, and James Bond.  Stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal.  

Nada for You, single by Francisca Valenzuela  with Ximena Sarinaña. Dreamy, urgent, devastating. Two of Latin music’s best songwriters and singers team up to create an unforgettable song. Spanish. Stream on major platforms.

Blanca Mujer (live), single by Draco Rosa and Natalie Lafourcade. A newly released remastered version of one of Draco Rosa’s  most intense songs , recorded a decade ago with Mexico’s renowed Natalia Lafourcade.  It speaks of life and death and the “white woman” – cancer – who will “take him to his lair.” The original version was part of his album Vida, released in 2013 with  Shakira. This version will go into  Draco’s upcoming album, Stream on major platforms. Spanish.

Euphoric, album by Georgia. This is her third album and the first one she did not produce herself, resulting in a relaxed pop song with great hooks and beats. Every composition from the title song to the final “So What” showcases her versatile voice and encases it in unique supporting  melody that makes you listen closer. Stream on major platforms.

The Loveliest Time, album by Carly Rae Jepsen.. Thirteen songs that will rock you, lull you, please you. Canada’s famous music export knows how to grab a beat and a hook and swing it around catching everyone’s ears . “Friends Will Never Let Go”  sneaks up on you and then pulls you in with energy.  “The Dream” kicks off with drums and a bit of heavenly violin introducing a decidedly pop Jepson who seems to talk with you directly.  Stream on all major platforms.

No Puedo Olvidarte, single by Yoss Bones and Nanpa Básico. There is a reason why Spotify named Yoss Bones the most listened to Mexican artist on Spotify last year. In this song she teams up with another icon, Nanpa Básico and  weaves her voice around his gentle spoken word rap in just the right proportions. A brilliant combination.  Spanish. Stream on major platforms

BONUS. This Land is Unhospitable and So Are We, single, by Mitski

Patrick O’Heffernan

Banner photo: Yoss Bones at Puerto Americano concert at FIMPRO, Guadalajara. credit Patrick O’Heffernan