134 songs , albums, and videos submitted for review this week
Laura, single by Avionica. A single from their new album Una Tarde en Miami. The two women and four men of the band manage to pull off a smooth dialogue between voice, lyrics, and arrangement, keeping the indie feel but bringing a sophisticated sound together with the vocals, circling synths, and great guitar riffs. Stream on all platforms. Spanish.
El Avión, single by Monsieur Periné. The unique Colombian group, winners of two Latin Grammy Awards and multiple Grammy nominees, have released this single featuring the iconic Carlos Vives, and is it ever fun, as all of Monsieur Periné’s music is. You can’t sit and listen to this – you must dance to the Latin rhythms while you sing the stick- in- your- head lyrics. The first song from the band’s new album, El Avion, which releases today. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish.
Heretic (The Lost Child), single by Militia Vox. Once in a while, you may feel the need for some blow- you- away heavy metal, and this is as good as it gets. With her operatic voice, out-of-this-world metal showmanship, and flaming (literally) band, no one delivers metal like Militia Vox. Heretic is the latest in a years-long series of grab you by the ears and more songs that take you to the dark side of the moon and swing you screaming back down to earth. Stream on all major platforms.
Electrocutao, single by Ali Jey. This Grammy-nominated native of the Dominican Republic can put together blues rock, cumbia, ballads – you name it. Electrocutao is Dominican rock/Latin alt context – essentially breaking new ground for her and for Latin music. It is mystical, urgent, danceable – a standout song that seeps into you. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish.
Por Una Mal Amor, single by Mariana Seoane and Lila Downs. From the bongo opening to you know this is going to be a party song. The Cuban feel says dance, drink, love. The dream collaboration of Mariana Seoane and Lila Downs gives it just the right tone, despite the topic. It makes you smile and dance. Stream everywhere. Spanish.
Qisiera, single by Flor de Toloache (with John Legend). Not a new release but a gem by one of the most versatile mariachi bands around (from Brooklyn, no less!). Flor de Toloache has taken mariachi to places its originators never dreamed of. As a re‑imagining of the Juan Luis Guerra classic through a mariachi‑meets‑tropical lens, it works for listening joy or dancing fun. Released in 2020, it is still going. Stream on major platforms.
Banner: Militeia Vox and her band in a live concert
Patrick O’Heffernan
