Tommy Torres, El Playlist de Anoche (Rimas Entertainment)
For his first album in almost a decade, Tommy Torres teamed up with Bad Bunny to co-produce and co-write the nine tracks on El Playlist de Anoche. Torres and Bunny may not have a lot of things in common but both are very intentional with the music they write; they want their fans to feel via lyrics that are packed with tangible emotions. The pair does just that with this set that touches on love and heartbreak where Torres remains true to his signature alt rock-tinged, sentimental pop but integrates a rock star attitude after learning how to phrase the way Bunny does. The eclectic set kicks off with the sentimental pop track “Toda La Noche” – the only song on the album where you’ll hear Bunny as he sets the mood for the guitar-powered track with a short intro – and is then followed by alt-rock/pop anthems such as “Cactus” and “Inmortal” and contemporary ballads including “Demasiado Amor” and “Quisiera Ser El.” A departure from the album’s signature ballad-pop-rock sound, “Marea” transports you to a different mindset with its reggae/ska beat, showcasing Torres’ chameleonic ability to traverse between multiple styles. — GRISELDA FLORES
Gloria Trevi & Guaynaa, “Nos Volvimos Locos” (UMG Recordings)
A couple of weeks back, Gloria Trevi told Billboard about an upcoming collaboration she was excited about. She now presents her new single “Nos Volvimos Locos” alongside Puerto Rican artist Guaynaa. Penned by Trevi, Leonel Garcia and Marcela de la Garza, the track is a back-and-forth between two people who like each other and, ultimately, hook up. “We have already gone crazy/ We have already lost control/ This is so different/ There is a risk of falling in love,” says the chorus. The flirtatious track, co-produced Yo Fred, Eduardo Bladinieres, and Gil Elguezabal, is an urban-pop song fused with clever EDM beats. — J.R.
CNCO, “To’a La Noche” (Sony Music Latin)
Marking the start of a new era, four-member boy band CNCO has released their new single “To’a La Noche,” a head-bobbing reggaeton track with an earworm chorus that drops before the minute-mark. “Please stay, I won’t ask for anything else. I know you won’t forget this night,” they sing over a sparse drum beat. Produced by Puerto Rican producing duo Los Legendarios, the track was recorded in Puerto Rico at Wisin’s La Base studios. “We wanted to bring joy and positivity with this song,” CNCO previously told Billboard. “It’s the perfect summer jam.” “To’a La Noche,” featuring band members Christopher Velez, Erick Brian Colon, Richard Camacho and Zabdiel de Jesus, is the first single from their forthcoming album. — G.F.
Zion y Lennox, “Estrella” (Warner Music Latina)
Zion & Lennox celebrate a prolific 20-year career with the release of their new single “Estrella,” part of their fourth studio album and first in five years, El Sistema. Though the duo has recently collaborated with artists such as Justin Quiles, Natti Natasha, and Lenny Tavarez, to name a few, on this single, they have gone solo, further proving why they’re one of the highly-respected duos in urban music. In true la Z y la L fashion, the captivating reggaeton song, co-produced by Dynell, Legazzy, and Yazid, highlights Zion’s high-pitched, sugary vocals and Lennox’s signature raspy voice. “Estrella” tells the story of a woman who’s enjoying the best stage of her life and a man who’s trying to catch her attention. “Estrella,” according to the Puerto Rican duo, was chosen as a focus track of the album because it best showcases their essence. — J.R.
La Santa Cecilia & Lila Downs, “Quiero Verte Feliz” (Rebeleon Ent./Virgin Music Latin)
Los Angeles-based bolero-punk quartet La Santa Cecilia has joined forces with Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs for a feel-good cumbia anthem titled “Quiero Verte Feliz (I Want to See you Happy).” Penned by Xieman Muñoz and La Santa Cecilia’s La Marisoul, Pepe, Oso and Alex Bendaña, the rhythmic track finds La Marisoul and Downs exchanging uplifting verses. “I need to stop and smell the plants and flowers, I want to dance and laugh and not apologize for it. Enough with all the suffering, I want to see you happy,” they sing. “I think that we’re experiencing one of the most complicated periods of our time because of the pandemic and ‘Quiero Verte Feliz’ is an invitation to get back to the great dance of life, and enjoy all the wonderful things that make us happy again!” La Santa Cecilia said. “Quiero Verte Feliz,” which follows La Santa Cecilia’s “Ella Me Enamoró,” preview’s the band’s forthcoming album. — G.F.
