We are living through an era where more music is available to us than ever – whether it be via social media, streaming, or apps. But despite this wealth of options, it can be difficult to cut through the industry hype, the homogenizing algorithms, and find something new and exciting. In our weekly Nuevo Noise playlist, you’ll find some of our favorite releases of the week.
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Rubio - "Oro"
For her new joint, Chile’s avant-pop songwriter Rubio adopts the saying “not all that glitters is gold,” and we can take her word for it since we get a new meaning from the saying judging by the music. “Oro” is sort of a smoky cabaret showstopper for the autotune generation, linking Weimar Republic decadence with post-rave experimentations for a magnificent stomp of a track. It might not be gold, but something rarer and most valuable. –Marcos Hassan
Böjo - "Altar, Op. 1: No. 3"
Borrowing from ambient, classical music and experimental electronic music, Bojö gives us “Altar, Op. 1: No. 3,” a cinematic composition about the power of time. Led by delicate piano sounds and embellished with gelid synth work, the song presents time as an unstoppable and cyclical force, and its subtle dynamics are made for us to slow down and reflect on what we’re doing with it. –Cheky
Poder Fantasma - "Todxs Me Caen Mal"
Poder Fantasma are rapidly rising among the next torchbearers of Chile’s fabled indie scene with a quirky taste for apocalyptic pop. The latest single ahead of their upcoming sophomore album is “Todxs Me Caen Mal,” a syrupy cut evoking ditzy Spanish tontipop and packing hefty criticism of catcalling and obnoxious coworkers. The extremely timely song comments on how the ‘new normal’ has us getting on each other’s nerves, while also squeezing in a sorrowful prayer to our crumbling relationships in: “Si hubiera sabido que el mundo se acabaría / no te hubiese bloqueado de mi red social favorita.” –Richard Villegas
Chico y Chica - "Mosquita Muerta"
Breaking three years of silence since their last single, Spanish techno-pop duo Chico y Chica release their long-anticipated comeback bop “Mosquita Muerta” and share the news of their upcoming 2021 album–the first in eight years. The delightfully cheeky song centers around an aloof young woman at a party, surrounded by suitors and would-be social climbers, only to waltz past all of them unconcerned and caught up in the song’s thumping bass lines and dramatic strings. –Richard Villegas
Quemarlo Todo Por Error - "El Movimiento"
Bogotá’s newest entry to the indie pop sweepstakes is here with a mission to make you feel better. The breezy “El Movimiento” features nicely orchestrated guitars and rich harmonies that urge you to leave the pain behind and to “darle tiempo al tiempo.” With a slight touch of jazz, this vamp smiles gently and puts a hand on your shoulder to get you through the day, until one morning you feellike everything is in order again. –Marcos Hassan
Dolorio & Los Tunantes - "Turismo"
Formed in 2011, Santiago quartet Dolorio & Los Tuantes have steadily grown from noisy local kids making post-punk into a bold ensemble unafraid of embracing atmospheric synthesizers and stylized pop melodies. Their latest single “Turismo” harkens to ‘80s new wave icons the Psychedelic Furs, without ever going full-blown referential, instead grounding their storytelling in Chilean beach getaways and nostalgia for better days and a better world. –Richard Villegas
Michi - “Escondida”
With a magnetic groove, a bright feel-good sonic palette, and a warm animated music video, L.A. artist Michi sings in English and Spanish to remind the value of solitude, something many of us might be taking for granted during the current pandemic. The latest preview from her upcoming EP Sugarbaby tackles the transformative quality of being alone with your thoughts, even when you have company. –Cheky
Bruses - "Indiferente"
Pop music these days can seem generic and recycled, but every so often there are glimmers of songwriters and producers eager to push the envelope and show the world all they can do. Tijuana-native Bruses has all the promise of a blockbuster pop star, riding high on the back of glossy, personal singles and considerable hype ahead of her debut LP Monstrous, coming soon via Worldwide Records. With her latest single “Indiferente,” Bruses invites us into a world where she’s felt alienated most of her life, literally indifferent to people’s wealth and power, wishing she just had more opportunities for fun and human connection. –Richard Villegas
Teto Preto - "Tu Cuero Es Una Armada"
Boundary-pushing Brazilian outfit Teto Preto partnered up with Mexican label and collective Onda Mundial for their new single “Tu Cuerpo Es Una Armada,” their first ever in Spanish. Through a euphoric, conga-sprinkled take on dancehall, singer Laura Díaz, with help from bandmate Loïc Koutana and guest vocalist Valesuchi, celebrate bodies as an instrument against intolerance and ignorance. –Cheky
Shiro Schwarz - "No Fear No Shame"
Mexico City’s Shiro Schwarz just dropped the first song from their forthcoming HORIZON EP, and it’s a slow-burning meditation about self-love and self-acceptance. They use hollow synths and a throwback R&B-flavored beat to create a space we can access any time we need to feel empowered and to shake off our fears. –Cheky
Belafonte Sensacional - "Láser Funk"
Like a swaggering and tumbling stroll through Mexico City at 3 a.m, “Láser Funk” is Belafonte Sensacional giving us a twitching, yet funky anthem that repurposes acid house as part of rock urbano’s lingo. As part of a stacked compilation of the next wave of Mexican rock alchemists as presented by radio station Aire Libre, Israel Ramírez and co. strut their shit until it becomes a dash to an uncontrollable mosh pit. –Marcos Hassan
The Mueres - "Nada"
It’s tempting to let your mind wander into nothingness in this godforsaken year since reality seems to collapse into itself more often than not. But Chihuahua, Mexico’s The Mueres’ new track strives for a different meaning of “Nada,” as in trying to remain neutral in hopes of eventually feeling good, which might be an equally healthy coping mechanism. To match the message, the dream pop outfit weaves guitar interplay that is both beautiful and tense, a nice reminder that even transcending nothing can be a tough battle. –Marcos Hassan