Welcome to your weekly roundup of LATINA’s best new music. This week’s list includes regional Mexican music ballad Talia, Omar Apollo’s personal EP and Drake’s reunion with Bad Bunny.
Also on the list: La Factoría returns with Eddie Lover, Ana Tijou honors the memory of her late sister, and Leon Leyden joins forces with Giuliana. Plus genre-bending Mau y Ricky and nostalgic reggaeton Feid.
Talia, “Bebe, I’m sorry”
When LATINA asked Thalia about exploring the Tumbados corridors in the future back in May, she responded, “Yes! I like it! I’m the number one fan of this genre. Imagine how I feel being Mexican. I am the real and authentic “Amor A La Mexicana”!” We don’t have her corrido yet, but the Mexican pop icon has released a beautiful Sierrano song called “Bebé, Perdón.” Taking on the sounds of her country, Thalia sings about how much she misses her ex but wishes him the best, even if it’s with someone else. It’s a promising preview of her upcoming album. Muche Khonre.
Omar Apollo, “Live for Me”
Omar Apollo gets personal on his new EP Live for me. The Mexican-American singer appears to be reflecting on his life after fame, including his coming out process in “Ice Slippin.” “These four songs are a reflection of the realities that I have had to face over the past few years,” Apollo shared in a statement. “Coming to terms with the person I was becoming and letting go of the old so I could feel like myself and whatever purity I had left.” He delivers a heartfelt message of hope in the heartfelt song “Live For Me.”
Drake and Bad Bunny, “Caution”
Drake has teamed up with Bad Bunny again for “Gettly.” The Canadian artist previously teamed up with Bad Bunny for “Mía” in 2018. Unlike the times when Drake sang in Spanish with the Puerto Rican superstar and Romeo Santos, this time his performance is shaky and haphazard. Dembow beats the punch midway, and “Bad Bunny” becomes the saving grace of this unexpected collaboration. He sings about getting fancy in the most luxurious way possible. The song, written by Guatemalan-American producer Gordo, was included on Drake’s album. For all my dogs album.
La Factoria, Eddie Lover and Farruko, “Perdoname”
La Factoría had a shining moment at the Billboard Latin Music Awards last week. The Panamanian icon reunited with Eddie Laver for a new version of their 2006 hit “Perdóname.” Reggaeton classics were updated with Afrobeat elements and sexy saxophone sounds. Puerto Rican singer Farruko also joined La Factoría and Eddy Lover. La Factoría gave the song a modern and uplifting twist, singing about how men are not offered any forgiveness for their wrongdoings.
Ana Tiju, “Tanya”
Ana Tiju is back with new music. The Chilean icon returned with “Tanya,” an ode to her late sister. In the tropical track, Tiju not only honors the memory of his sister, but also encourages the listener to live life to the fullest. “This song was born as a manifesto for the child that is inside all of us,” she shared in a statement. “This is a living being, capable of dreaming and building endless castles of humanity and love.” The feel-good anthem will be featured on Tijou’s album Vidawhich will be released in the fall.
Leon Leyden and Juliana, “Terminal”
The previous Latin Grammy winner for Best New Artist will team up with the current contender. Colombian singer Juliana, who won the award in 2021, joins forces with Mexican artist Leon Leyden. In his new song “La Terminal,” Layden combines elements of synth-pop with an alternative twist. Juliana and Layden turn that dramatic rom-com moment where one lover stops his partner from boarding a plane into a dreamy collaboration. Both artists sing about wanting to right the wrongs in a struggling relationship.
Mau and Ricky, “Vas A Destrozarme”
Mau and Ricky are starting a new era in their careers. The Venezuelan brothers created their new single “Vas A Destrozarme” with Malayan producer Frank Ocean JP Saxe and their longtime collaborator JonTheProducer. Mau y Ricky combines vintage doo-wop with the amazing influence of Mexican banda music. They sing together about the pain that comes with developing a friend’s feelings in a gainful situation. “This song is about forbidden but inevitable love,” Mau and Ricky shared in a statement. “From a very honest point of view, it is fragile and vulnerable.” The song will be included on their upcoming album Hotel Caracas.
Fade, “Ferxxo 30”
Feyd gives his fans a long-awaited song. After teasing “Ferxxo 30” on social media for the past two years, the Colombian superstar has finally released it. Feid combines Perreo’s old school sound with electronic elements into a catchy track. He sings about how he can’t shake the memory of his ex who still has a hold on him. Fade added this song to his latest album. Pestilence, No topics in the darkness, which fell a week earlier.
Lucas Villa is a freelance music writer for LATINA. His work has also been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Teen Vogue, MTV News and W Magazine.