“First Stream Latin” is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Christian Nodal, AYAYAY! (Deluxe) (Fonovisa / Universal Music Mexico)
Christian Nodal has officially dropped his third studio album called AyAyAy! (Deluxe), coming almost four months after he released seven of the tracks in an EP. On his 13-set production, the Regional Mexican artist did not shy away from experimental fusions, dropping a norteño-tropical hybrid (“No Es Justo Por El”), a mariachi-tinged country song (“Se Me Olvido”), and even his own version of the ‘50s classic doo-wop “Tonight I Fell in Love” by The Tokens in “Anoche Me Enamore.” “I’m taking advantage because I’m young, I’m 21, and because I love music in general,” he tells Billboard. “With this album, I want to take Regional Mexican to the next level and that’s why I included cumbia, ‘70s rock, salsa, vallenatos, and more.” One of Nodal’s favorite songs on the album is “Venganza Cumplida,” where he explores with an infectious salsa melody. “Everybody on my team was against that song,” he says. “When someone says no to me, I do it with more heart.” In one word, Nodal describes AyAyAy! as “fire,” because it’s versatile and innovative. Stream and listen below. — JESSICA ROIZ
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Reik, De México (Sony Music México)
Mexican pop trio Reik has already proved their versatility after tapping into the urban world to collaborate with reggaetoneros and now, they’re diving into the regional Mexican genre with their new album De México, an homage to classics like Vicente Fernández’s “Estos Celos” and Banda MS’ “Háblame De Ti.” The re-imagined, stripped-down versions of the anthems included in the six-track set are a testament to Jesús Navarro, Julio Ramírez and Bibi Marin’s ability to thrive across all multiple genres while staying true to their core pop roots. But it’s also true that these six songs can stand the test of time and quite frankly, a good, well-written song is a good song in any genre. Other tracks included in this set are Julión Alvarez’s “Te Hubieras Ido Antes,” Joan Sebastian’s “Tatuajes,” Intocable’s “Fuerte No Soy” and Marco Antonio Solis’ “Si No Te Hubieras Ido” – all sang in an acoustic setting. Stream the album here. — GRISELDA FLORES
Nicki Nicole, “Mala Vida” (Dale Play Records / Sony Music Latin)
Following her debut single “Colocao” under Sony Music Latin, Nicki Nicole drops “Mala Vida” (bad life). Flaunting her sugary, crisp vocals, the rising Argentina MC raps and sings about a dangerous lifestyle haunting her. The melodious trap is accompanied by a 1940’s-inspired cinematographic video directed by Jess “La Polaca” Praznik. “‘Mala Vida’ was inspired by watching ‘The Godfather’ trilogy. I had never seen it, and I watched all three movies on consecutive nights with my producers,” Nicki said in an official statement. “It greatly inspired me to create something mafia-styled, but with my ideas. The video came from that. It’s incredible and gets the feel exactly right. I always wanted to make a video that looks like a movie trailer, and The Godfather and Italian culture are what set off my inspiration.” Watch it below. — J.R.
Zoé, “Karmadame” (Universal Music México)
Zoé’s new multi-layered, trippy track “Karmadame” is an explosion of sounds and emotions led by guitar loops, synthesizer’s and frontman León Larregui’s soft yet commanding voice. The song revolves around the concept of karma and “speaks of the Dharma or the correct path, and of Karma, which are the actions that define our present, that undulates towards the future and that echo from the past, according to Hindu beliefs, and that form the framework of the cycle of the reincarnation,” says Larregui. The single previews the band’s forthcoming studio album Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia, which follows their Grammy-winning album Aztlán. The “Karmadame” video, a nod to the cinematographic metaphors of Jodorowsky, was filmed in Barcelona and directed by Ida Cuellar, Stephanie Carpinelli, and Larregui. — G.F.
Feid, Bahía Ducati (Universal Music Latino)
Feid’s lyrical charm and vintage-urban rhythms come out to play once again on his newly-released mixtape Bahia Ducati. In addition to the star-studded “Porfa (Remix)” with J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Sech, and Justin Quiles, the album includes collaborations with Miky Woodz, Juhn El All Star, Zion & Lennox, De La Ghetto, Ñejo, Dalmata, and Alvaro Diaz. On the focus track, “Ferxxo x Ñejo,” a sensual reggaeton, Feid sings about feeling lost and drunk after a breakup. “’Bahia Ducati’ becomes a super special project for me because it was born and finished during quarantine,” the Colombian artist expressed in an official statement, adding that he put a lot of love and dedication on the album. “I hope people enjoy it as much as I do, that they burn it and listen to it a lot of times. Bahia Ducati will make you dance wherever you are!” Stream and listen to it below. — J.R.
CABRA, “La Ventana”
Following his surprise single “La Cabra Jala Pal Monte” back in July, CABRA is offering a peak into new window that he’s left wide open for cleansing purposes in his uplifting new cumbia track “La Ventana.” The Calle 13 alum, formerly known as Visitante, finds CABRA on a retrospective journey where he revisits some of his darkest moments. But then a new window cracks open and with it comes a fresh air and an almost fantasy-like world. The danceable “La Ventana” is the second single off of his forthcoming album. “It’s a more luminous song in which I want to continue what I view as a musical detoxification embracing musical and lyrical honesty, while always bringing an uplifting spirit from danceable elements & production.” — G.F.