Christian Alicea’s ‘Swingkete Vol. 1 – Maratón’ & More Best New Music Latin

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Christian Alicea, Swingkete Vol. 1 – Maratón (Rimas Entertainment)

Alicea’s first album under Rimas Entertainment, his label since February, is exactly what the title suggests: a marathon of tropical gems. In a moment where regional sounds continue to dominate the scene in Latin music — from Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos to Karol G’s Tropicoqueta — Alicea’s Swingkete is a standout, honoring his beloved Puerto Rico fusing traditional styles like bomba, plena and salsa with cumbia and Afrobeat. The salsa singer, formerly a fireman, recruits Jowell & Randy, J Álvarez, Frabian Eli and Eliot “El Mago D Oz,” to help him usher a new era for salsa music.

From beginning to end, the LP is a joy to listen to. From the unexpected but really fun Colombian cumbia “Me Lo Gozo” powered by an earworm chorus to his “Homenaje a J Álvarez,” an ode to the OG reggatonero from Puerto Rico who joins him to sample the anthemic “La Pregunta.”  And then there’s “Carrusel,” a signature fast-paced salsa powered by a potent percussion and commanding brass instruments. He closes with “Gracias,” a violin-led power ballad that shows another side of Alicea. With Swingkete, it’s safe to say that Alicea cements his role as a leading force among the new generation of salsa hitmakers. — GRISELDA FLORES

Gerardo Ortiz, “Échame el Grito” (Badsin Entertainment)

Gerardo Ortiz, one of the most respected figures in regional Mexican music, releases new music for the first time in over a year: the norteño ballad “Échame el Grito,” a preview of his upcoming album. This new track is a great way to remember the artist’s romantic side outside of the corridos that brought him fame a decade ago. It’s accompanied by accordion, guitars, percussion, and even hints of country, all adding to the singer’s heartfelt interpretation of a fervent declaration of love: “Give me a shout/ When you feel like having a beautiful love/ Here you have the No. 1 fan of your eyes,” reads part of the lyrics. It’s a feeling of hope and longing that is conveyed in the music video, recorded in Miami in a somber atmosphere in which Ortiz imagines the woman with whom he wants to share a romance. — TERE AGUILERA

Camilo, “Maldito ChatGPT” (El Taller Creativo/Sony Music Latin)

On “Maldito ChatGPT,” Camilo reflects on a love that’s not worth it — because ChatGPT told him. Produced by Trooko, the Colombian singer-songwriter dives into a captivating house track with deep bass. Penned by the artist himself, alongside Jeffrey Peñalva, “Maldito ChatGPT” is a clever twist on today’s technology with artificial intelligence. “You’re not for me/ ChatGPT told me/ Who knows me better than I know myself/ And I asked him again/ But he said no and I wanted him to say yes,” he chants, before ChatGPT reminds him at the end of the song why he’s better off alone. The music video, which shows a frustrated Camilo looking for answers in an office space, was directed by Evaluna Montaner and Sebastian Andrade at his own El Taller Creativo in Miami. — JESSICA ROIZ

Anuel AA, “Little Demon” (Real Hasta La Muerte)

To give context to his new single “Little Demon,” Anuel opens with a verse from Los Alegres Del Barranco’s “El del Palenque”: “I am the owner of the arena/ Four letters go in the front.” The Mexican group recently faced charges from the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly advocating crime. In true Anuel fashion, “Little Demon” is a deep, hard-hitting trap where the Puerto Rican artists delves into the harsh realities of the streets, including drug trafficking and cartels. This track is the first single from his upcoming album, RHLM2, which pays tribute to his musical roots with a raw and authentic essence. “I’m not making music for the industry; I’m only working to stay true to myself,” he said to Billboard during his exclusive album listening session in Miami this week. — INGRID FAJARDO

Maye, Música Para Abrir El Cielo (Pink Poetry)

Venezuelan artist Maye presents her debut album, Música Para Abrir El Cielo, an organic fusion of dream pop with nuances of bossa nova, bolero, and Latin influences, articulated with a contemporary Gen Z sensibility. Maye, who gained attention a few years ago when her song “Tú” was included in Barack Obama’s 2020 playlist of favorite songs, delivers eleven tracks that highlight her angelic performance and poetic lyrical sensitivity, perceptible from the opening of the set with “Open the Sky,” which establishes the aesthetic for the rest of the album.

From the enveloping “Peter Pan,” with its bossa nova feel and nostalgia-filled guitars, to the sensual contemporary bolero “Luna de Miel,” to the dynamic “Una Medalla” and “Lento” with Rawayana — which, although with a more pronounced groove, do not break the overall atmosphere — the album displays an extravaganza of styles and sonic influences, skillfully produced. Throughout the journey, Maye builds a nostalgic, sensual, and ethereal sound universe that invites you to fully immerse yourself. — LUISA CALLE

Wampi & Leoni Torres, “La Última” (Awaken Music/Virgin Music Latin)

Wampi has steered away from his R&B-infused Reparto sound for a smooth heartfelt ballad in collaboration with Leoni Torres. In “La Última,” Cuba’s breakout star and the country’s prolific singer-songwriter join forces to sing about two lovebirds meeting at the wrong time. “Many relationships don’t work out because a couple meets before the time is right. [This song] explores that phenomenon and there’s nobody better to tell that story with than Leoni […] I grew up listening to Leoni and he’s influenced my music greatly; especially my songwriting and delivery on slow songs,” Wampi, who penned and produced the jazzy tune, said in a press statement. “La Última” forms part of Wampi’s forthcoming El Rey de la Habana album — his debut studio set under Virgin Music Latin. — J.R.

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below: