Sebastian Yatra

Erick Fernando Quezada

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.

Sebastian Yatra, “Tacones Rojos” (UMG Recordings)

Sebastian Yatra's new single “Tacones Rojos" is an upbeat pop-dance love song that starts off with electric guitar riffs followed by his plush and charming voice. "The song was inspired by morning rays of light that enter through your window and can totally take you to a new and happy inspiring place,” Yatra said in a statement on writing the lyrics alongside Manuel Lorente (the song was co-produced by Manuel Larra, Juanjo Monserrat, and Pablo Ross). Above all else, this feel-good song is an ode the happiness that comes from finding that special someone who will light up your world: “My piece of sunshine/the girl of my eyes,” he chants in the chorus. --- INGRID FAJARDO

Paloma Mami, “Cosas de la Vida” (Sony Music Latin)

Latin Grammy best new artist nominee Paloma Mami bares it all in her new single “Cosas De La Vida.” Muting the more rhythmic side of her sonority, the new track is a slowed-down pop tune powered by a sparse drum beat that finds the Chilean-American singer-songwriter wondering if she’ll find her way back to her soulmate. Written by Mami and Gilberto Figueroa “Roa,” “Cosas De La Vida” is the first single off her upcoming album, which will follow her 2021 debut LP Sueños de Dali. --- GRISELDA FLORES

Adriel Favela, “Lágrimas de Miel” (UMG Recordings)

Ever since returning to music, Adriel Favela has presented a refreshingly mature sound, evidenced on "Lágrimas de Miel," which features a melancholic sierreña melody and is the third single off of his upcoming album Cosas del Diablo. The Mexican singer-songwriter is vulnerable and heartbroken on the song -- which Favela co-produced with Trooko and Danny Felix and co-wrote with Brandon Reyes -- while the simple yet conceptual music video brings the whirlwind emotions to life. --- JESSICA ROIZ 

Gloria Trevi, “Ensayando Cómo Pedirte Perdón” (UMG Recordings)

Gloria Trevi has a knack for creating anthems and her latest song is no exception. Written by Trevi and Mexican singer-songwriter Leonel García, “Ensayando Cómo Pedirte Perdón” is a striking ballad on forgiveness, which, as ever, Trevi delivers with her resounding and powerful vocals. “I hope that this song can help people reconcile and put together the broken pieces that were a result of this pandemic,” Trevi said about the song. “From now on, I hope that it becomes a song that helps someone ask for forgiveness even when it’s hard to put into words.” --- G.F.

Llane & Boza, “Puñales” (Warner Music Mexico)

Llane and Boza, two former Billboard Latin Artists on the Rise, have joined forces for their new collaboration "Puñales." The Colombian artist and Panamanian newcomer blend their signature sounds, bringing to life a mid-tempo urban-pop track fused with lots of Caribbean flavors. "Puñales," which loosely translates to fist, tells the story of a person who refuses to believe that their relationship has ended and prefers to live in a lie. --- J.R. 

La Santa Cecilia, Quiero Verte Feliz (Rebeleon Ent./Virgin Music U.S. Latin)

From cumbia to norteña to son jarocho, folk and beyond, La Santa Cecilia’s eight-song set is music for the soul. As lead singer La Marisoul puts it in “Estrellita,” “I sing for the soul of the people and to cure my own heart.” A must-listen from beginning to end, featuring cant-miss collabs with Lila Downs and Luis Enrique, the L.A.-based group takes their audience on a roller coaster of emotions singing about falling in and out of love, acceptance and celebrating life. The tracks are set to rich, wide-ranging arrangements that will instantly make any listener want to get up, dance and shake off any bad energy. --- G.F.

Kris Floyd, La Última Vez Que Me Viste (NEON16/Interscope Records)

After penning songs for artists such as J Balvin and Selena Gomez, Kris Floyd released his own debut EP, La Última Vez Que Me Viste. On the nine-track set, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter puts all his cards on the table, flaunting the ease at which he can tap into R&B ballads ("¿Cuando Vienes?"), sultry perreos ("Ser Ella"), hard-hitting reggaeton ("Ser Libre") and his specialty of trap, best heard on "Xkittlez," the only collab on the album featuring Arcangel. "I want people to know a little more about how I my mind works," Floyd said in a statement. "The opportunity to continue contributing art and to continue expressing myself through music is very valuable to me." --- J.R.

Ally Brooke “Mi Musica” (AMSI Entertainment)

For her first solo, all-Spanish single, Ally Brooke taps into the reggaeton realm with “Mi Musica,” marking a new direction for the former Fifth Harmony member. “This song is purely from my heart, and it is as ‘me’ as it gets,” the Mexican-American artist said in a statement. “I am proud to say I helped to write this song that means so much to me. The message of ‘Mi Musica’ is that I am nothing without my family, dear friends and fans. I have everything because I have them, and to them, I dedicate this song.” Co-written by Brooke, Yofred, Azzi and King Mora, Brooke’s first Spanish single is a preview of her upcoming first-ever Spanish-language album, which will also be her debut album as a solo artist.

PETA has called on Cage The Elephant to temporarily change their name ahead of their upcoming NFL halftime performance in Munich later this week.

The band are scheduled to perform during the New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions game this Sunday (November 15).

Ahead of the show, PETA has asked Cage The Elephant to change their name across their social media accounts to Free The Elephant for one week.

According to a press release from the animal rights group, an elephant named Okha “has spent most of her life forced to perform in the circus under the threat of punishment”. The organisation is now seeking support to “help retire her to a reputable sanctuary”.

PETA also alleges that Okha is “currently being hauled around in a trailer with an exhibitor, Brian Franzen”, who supposedly “has a history of felony cruelty to animals charges” and “was caught on camera yanking and striking an elephant with a bullhook”.

In a letter addressed to Cage The Elephant, PETA wrote: “There ain’t no rest for Okha. We think you’d agree that she deserves the chance to spend her remaining years in peace with care, dignity, and respect.

 

“Lending a rendition of your iconic name for a short while could… help us come a little closer to ending animal cruelty in circuses.”

PETA added that it has already held more than “30 demonstrations on Okha’s behalf, contacted venues hosting animal acts, and rallied tens of thousands of supporters to call for her retirement”.

The group is also asking the public to “call on venues to stop hosting circuses that use animals and help retire Okha to a reputable sanctuary where she could roam expansive habitats, forage, receive expert veterinary care, and have the companionship of other elephants”.

Cage The Elephant have not yet made a public statement about the request, and NME has reached out to the band for a response. Franzen has also not issued a public response to the allegations made by PETA.

The request follows a previous approach by PETA to Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, asking him to temporarily adopt the name ‘Robert Plant Wool’ to help promote alternatives to sheep’s wool.

PETA has also previously urged Nintendo to redesign the popular Mario Kart World character Cow, claiming that its current appearance encourages animal cruelty.

Meanwhile, Cage The Elephant recently revealed details of their upcoming album ‘Dying In Reverse’, which is set to arrive on February 5, 2027, through Big Loud Rock. Fans can pre-order the record here.

The band are also preparing for a UK and European tour in 2027. You can check out the full list of dates here and find any remaining tickets here.

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