New songs for 2026: 170 songs and albums submitted
A search in Spotify turns up 369 new songs uploaded in Spanish and 60 new songs uploaded in English between today and Jan 6. I suspect that the English list is really much longer, because Spotify only listed “Top New Songs” rather than all new songs in English, but it provided all new songs in Spanish. Either way, that is a lot of songs!
So what are my picks this week?
Melancolía, single /video by Mon Laferte. One of the standout tracks on the new album Femme Fatale, it is presented in a classic ballad style, with a vocal delivery so emotional it feels like she is ready to break down at any moment. But the slow-burn arrangement keeps both you and her going in what seems like, in the video, a character study where Laferte pours out her experiences and feelings, mixing raw heartbreak with dark humor. Spanish. Stream on all platforms.
Rooms by the Sea, album by Matt Jaffe. Sharing a title with an Edward Hopper painting, Jaffe’s unique voice evokes nostalgia, fun, and magic in this 9-song album. It comes out strong, especially in “Lifelong Holiday”. There are hooks to pull you along while you ponder the lyrics. Stream on Spotify and other major platforms.
\El Año Viejo, single by Ruben Ramos (feat. Gaby Moreno). Perfect combination! Two greats of music. Ramos’s gravelly 85-year-old voice contrasts with Moreno’s up-to-the-minute strong female sound to make this more than a noteworthy late-career release and a respectful, emotional reinterpretation of the classic cumbia. The arrangement honors the Colombian original while sounding warm and contemporary. Most importantly, it is a toe-tapper and addictive to listen to. Tejano, cumbia, whatever – it is just plain fun. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIcY-Fh3lbc&list=RDlIcY-Fh3lbc&start_radio=1
Velas, single by Carlos Santana and Carin Leon. A collaboration made in heaven. Santana’s guitar wails and soars and breaks your heart while Leon moves the lyrics along like a train slowly taking a dangerous curve and pulling you with it, This is a hit-repeat song, Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.
Largate, single by Ana Mena. A 70’s pop singer-songwriter style song with retro touches and sweetly sung, humorous, dark, violent lyrics that describe “killing” an ex. The song channels heartbreak through anger and a fantasy of revenge – a relatable emotion, but taking it to an extreme that generates debate as well as streams and defenders. But maybe that was the point. It is easy listening musically, tough listening lyrically – or not, depending on you. If you don’t understand the Spanish, you will just follow the music; if you do, you might grin or grimace as you follow the music. Either way, you should follow it. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.
Plan for You, single by Zora. The Hungarian American singer, widely known for her heart-rendering cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” delves into mystery and the ethereal with “Plan for You”, with her voice emanating from deep space and deep in her heart. She creates an entire universe with her piano, singing and unusual breakdowns and arrangements. Both intellectually stimulating and emotionally powerful. Stream on all major platforms.
Patrick O’Heffernan
