De Los Picks: 20 best songs by Latino artists in 2025

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The De Los team recently gathered to each create a personal list of their favorite albums, and to pick out their top songs of 2025. This isn’t just a typical Latin music list; it’s a collection of the year’s best releases, focusing on artists from Latin America and its communities around the world.

https://open.spotify.com/watch?v=playlist/40uVQ4NnYvlt9rTqiCFuIU

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s song “Ojos Tristes,” featuring the Marías, came about through a shared love of vintage records. Gomez was particularly drawn to Jeanette’s 1982 ballad, “El Muchacho de Los Ojos Tristes.” After seeing the Marías perform, Gomez and Blanco collaborated with the band to reimagine the song as a bilingual dream-pop track, simply titled “Ojos Tristes.” The song quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and introduced Jeanette’s music to a new audience. – Suzy Exposito

JR Torres’s song, “Desde Abajo Vengo,” is a beautiful example of why música mexicana consistently produces some of the year’s best music. This two-minute track from Culiacán, Sinaloa, features a simple yet stunning melody, shared between the accordion and vocals, and evokes a deep sense of yearning – a common theme in norteño music. The lyrics tell a story of perseverance and self-reliance, detailing a man’s journey to success through honesty and hard work. However, it’s the song’s captivating music that truly establishes “Desde Abajo Vengo” as a timeless Mexican classic. —Ernesto Lechner

Juana Rozas truly gets the vibrant and eclectic queer Latin music scene. Her album, “TANYA,” is a fast-paced and energetic mix of industrial, electroclash, and doom metal, and the standout track, “WANNA HOTEL,” perfectly showcases this. The song creates a thrilling contrast between dreamy trap and intense hardstyle, putting you right in the middle of a chaotic warehouse rave. It’s a dizzying experience, full of pounding techno and a raw, edgy energy. While you might feel tempted to step back and catch your breath, it’s more rewarding to fully immerse yourself in Rozas’ wild and captivating sound. —Reanna Cruz

Macario Martinez’s story is one of the most heartwarming of the year. The former street sweeper from Mexico City unexpectedly became famous in January after a TikTok video of him riding a sanitation truck at night went viral. He used a clip of the gentle folk song “Sueña Lindo, Corazón” as a backdrop, and captioned it with a simple message: “Life asks for a lot and I’m just a street sweeper who wants you to listen to his music.” People responded enthusiastically, and the video quickly gained tens of millions of views, even being shared by celebrities like Harry Styles. This has launched Martínez as a promising new artist in Latin music. —Fidel Martinez

Dareyes de la Sierra’s song “Frecuencia” is particularly poignant knowing that singer José Darey Castro survived a life-threatening attack in 2004. The song’s opening line – “I know I’m going to die, that’s why I live crazily” – carries extra weight with that knowledge. Though it features traditional Mexican instruments, the song’s rhythm and confident, boastful lyrics feel more like hip-hop. With “Frecuencia” and the album “Redención” (Redemption), veteran artist Dareyes de la Sierra, who has been performing for over twenty years, demonstrates that it’s always possible to evolve your sound. —F.M.

Cuco’s third album, “Ridin’,” aims to capture the classic sound of Chicano soul while still feeling fresh and original. The 27-year-old artist from Hawthorne explained to De Los that he wanted a more natural, organic sound, but acknowledged his tendency to experiment with psychedelic elements. This blend of styles is particularly evident in the title track, which begins with a nostalgic, Southern California vibe—imagine a drive in a classic 1964 Chevy Impala—and then unexpectedly shifts into a more otherworldly, spacey atmosphere. —F.M.

Mon Laferte’s song “Las Flores Que Dejaste En La Mesa” is a standout track, and the artist herself is particularly proud of a verse where she cleverly rhymes a description of a past lover with the word “architecture.” This combination of poetic language and explicit imagery is a signature of Laferte’s style, adding a touch of boldness to the song’s rich, cinematic sound – which is reminiscent of the James Bond theme songs composed by John Barry. The song, from her album “Femme Fatale,” begins with the gentle feel of bossa nova, builds into passionate bolero, and even incorporates electronic elements similar to the band Portishead. However, the song’s emotional core is Laferte’s powerful and vulnerable vocal performance.

Planta Industrial, a duo from the Bronx, recently released their debut EP, “Oi.” The EP’s title is a playful take on the Spanish word for ‘today,’ and the project itself is a vibrant mix of punk rock, darkwave, and dembow. The two high school friends behind the music – known as A.K.A. The Darknight and Saso (who recently collaborated with Rauw Alejandro on the track “Caribeño”) – deliver a high-energy sound on “Oi.” The song is a fast-paced demand for payment from a stingy employer, featuring quick rhythms, group vocals reminiscent of The Ramones, and a bit of the energetic style of Toño Rosario. The MCs bluntly state their demand: “Pay me now! Not tomorrow!” – S.E.

Six Sex, featuring MCR-T’s track “Bitches Like Me,” helped solidify Argentina as a central hub for the Latin rave scene this year. The song, built around a driving synth line sampled from Kylie Minogue’s hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” is a standout earworm. The Buenos Aires-based artist, alongside Berlin DJ MCR-T, takes a winning pop melody and adds a simple, energetic beat, creating a vibe like an impromptu, fun jam session with a close friend. Lines like “you are not that bitch” are delivered with a playfully seductive and confidently relaxed tone. —R.C.

Rosalía’s song “La Perla,” featuring Yahritza Y Su Esencia, stands out from her usual pop style. It’s a fiery, traditional ranchera ballad aimed at a former partner known for dating many women. Rosalía brought in Yahritza Y Su Esencia, a Mexican American sierreña group, to help capture the spirit of a powerful takedown, similar to how Paquita La Del Barrio would address a cheating lover. The song isn’t about the joys of Mexican love, but rather the intensity of Mexican rejection – delivered with Rosalía’s Catalan flair. —S.E.

Netón Vega’s debut album, “Mi Vida Mi Muerte,” boldly tries to capture the evolving sound of corridos tumbados, showcasing the talent of a leading songwriter in the genre. The track “Me Ha Costado” blends booming 808s with a classic G-funk feel, creating a West Coast vibe. It’s full of confident energy, from Alemán’s catchy chorus to Victor Mendivil’s references to specific California and Mexican towns. Listening to it, you can almost picture the artists cruising down Whittier Boulevard in a lowrider, enjoying the ride. —R.C.

Okay, let me tell you about Cardi B’s new track, “Bodega Baddie.” Honestly, I’m usually rolling my eyes when celebrities try to seem relatable by claiming they frequent the local bodega, but with Cardi, I actually believe it. This song feels genuinely rooted in her upbringing in the Bronx. It’s a super short track – less than two minutes – but it’s packed with energy. Close your eyes while you listen, and you’re instantly transported to a hot summer day on Dyckman Street – fire hydrants blasting, music bumping from every store, and the whole neighborhood just vibing. It’s honestly some of the most vivid soundscaping I’ve heard all year, built around a fantastic sample from Magic Juan’s “Ta Buena (Tipico).” It’s a quick hit of pure energy and authenticity.

Kali Uchis’s song “Sugar! Honey! Love!” showcases a new level of emotional depth for the Colombian-American artist. Known for creating diverse characters in her music, Uchis explores the vulnerability and transformative experience of becoming a mother on her album, “Sincerely.” She shared with De Los that pregnancy allowed her to feel emotions more intensely, describing childbirth as a rebirth – a letting go of her old self and an embrace of a new one, filled with joy and hope. The song beautifully captures this profound and hazy emotional landscape.

Adrian Quesada’s collaboration with Angélica Garica, “No Juego,” immediately evokes a vintage feel with the sound of a tape rewinding. The song blends 1960s psychedelic sounds with a modern edge, thanks to Garica’s confident vocals. She asserts her independence with a brief rap – “I’m not here to ask for permission” – and powerfully confronts a past lover. Garica makes it clear she’s in control and means business. Many consider “No Juego” to be the standout track on “Boleros Psicodélicos II.” –F.M.

Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso’s song, “#TETAS,” is a clever take on creating a viral pop hit. The artists playfully attempt to build a catchy song using current trends and internet slang. While it might seem like a joke – featuring a character called Gymbaland, the line “let me be your Chad,” and even counting dabs – the song surprisingly becomes the very pop anthem it’s poking fun at. With its smooth bass, big 80s-style piano chords, and an impressive key change, it’s undeniably catchy. The song even ends with the bold claim, “This is a f— smash,” and many listeners would likely agree. It’s a successful and ironic creation.

Silvana Estrada’s song “Como Un Pájaro” is a standout track from her impressive second album. At just 28 years old, this singer-songwriter from Veracruz displays a remarkable maturity in her music. Like many songs on “Vendrán Suaves Lluvias,” “Como Un Pájaro” is inspired by the trova tradition, using simple stringed instruments and natural imagery to explore themes of healing. The song builds to a powerful and emotional climax with Estrada’s beautiful vocals combined with a rich orchestral arrangement—it’s likely to move you to tears. She’s also known for perfectly recreating the song’s delicate whistled section during live performances. —E.L.

Astropical, the collaboration between Colombian band Bomba Estéreo and Venezuelan group Rawayana, likely won’t perform together again after a fantastic show at the Hollywood Bowl last year. Thankfully, they left us with the song “Fogata,” a beautiful track about cherishing happy times knowing that everything eventually fades. It blends the cozy feeling of a beach bonfire with smooth, Afrobeats rhythms, and features the lovely vocals of Li Saumet and Beto Montenegro. – E.L.

Isabella Lovestory’s song “Telenovela” embraces the idea that life can feel like a dramatic, over-the-top soap opera, especially when it comes to love and relationships. The song, from her album “Vanity,” is full of bold imagery – think glamorous, powerful women, passionate encounters, and suggestive lyrics. It’s a playfully explicit track that’s meant to be both captivating and a little bit shocking, with details that are likely to stay with you. As one reviewer put it, if the song doesn’t make you blush, you’re not really listening!

As someone who lives in Boyle Heights, I can tell you that you can’t sit outside for more than a few minutes without hearing a truck blasting a corrido. And for the past half year, that song has almost always been Fuerza Regida’s “Marlboro Rojo.” It just feels so authentically Mexican – and honestly, what better way to make an entrance? 2025 was a huge year for Mexican music, and Fuerza Regida really led the charge. I especially love the live version they did for Apple Music at the GNP Stadium in Mexico City. Hearing tens of thousands of voices singing along with JOP? It gave me goosebumps, seriously.

Bad Bunny’s music consistently celebrates his Puerto Rican heritage, but his 2025 album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” goes even further. It’s a heartfelt tribute not just to the island itself, but to the people who make it home. The album draws inspiration from classic and contemporary salsa, and features one of Bad Bunny’s strongest vocal performances, fueled by his memories of a past love. He beautifully compares her to a captivating dance. True to form, Bad Bunny blends emotional depth with playful honesty, even praising his ex-lover’s confidence. His songwriting shines brightest when he mixes tender feelings with candid observations.

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2025-12-19 01:02