Cazzu Returns With Heart-Wrenching ‘La Cueva’ & More Best New Music Latin

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

Cazzu, “La Cueva” (DALE PLAY Records/Rimas Entertainment)

Cazzu became a first-time mom, went through a very public breakup, returned to the stage, and created new music — all in 2024. She now bids farewell to her rollercoaster of a year with new single “La Cueva,” a notable dedication to her ex-partner and father of her daughter, Christian Nodal, whom she broke up with seven months ago. Produced by Nico Cotton and written by Cazzu (real name: Julieta Cazzucheli), the song is a heart-wrenching ballad backed by weeping guitar and piano melodies, powered by the Argentine artist’s soft, but dulcet and passionate vocals. “Of course I cried, if I adored you/ You turned our story into a parody,” she chants, also singing that even if her ex has all the money in the world, he’ll return to the cave where he’s his own prisoner. In the metaphorical music video, which she also co-directed with Alan Olmedo, Cazzu is walking around a field of dandelions with cowboy boots on, and also performing in front of a burning house. — JESSICA ROIZ

La K’Onga & Carlos Baute, “Ladrón” (Muzikando/ONErpm)

Venezuelan singer-songwriter Carlos Baute and Argentine trio La K’onga join forces on “Ladrón,” a song that begins as a soft ballad but quickly transforms into a delicious merengue. The track talks about recovering a former lover who left you for somebody else, saying in the passionate chorus: “I’m going to steal from the thief/ Who ripped you out of my life/ I’m going to steal your kisses, your lips/ All the things that I cannot forget.” It is a perfect song to dance away your sorrows this end of the year. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera, Mala Mía (Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Grupo Frontera)

The renowned música mexicana bands have joined forces to unveil their five-track EP, Mala Mía, which spotlights Fuerza Regida’s unbridled corridos with Grupo Frontera’s accordion-laced Tex-Mex swagger. Highlights include “Me Jalo,” a jaded corrido that transitions into a buoyant cumbia jam, epitomizing both acts’ signature style. The EP also explores themes of love in tracks like “SOS” and “Coqueta. Yet, “Aurora,” featuring Oscar Maydon and Armenta, captivates with its stunning sierreño melodies, enveloping the listener in a romantic reverie. The vocal interplay between Jesús “JOP” Ortiz Paz and Adelaido “Payo” Solís III enriches the overall experience. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Zaider & Kapo, “Alma” (Sony Music Colombia)

Colombians Zaider (Zaide Junior Peralta) and Kapo (Juan David Loaiza) join forces on “Alma,” a captivating single that seamlessly blends each artist’s signature sounds: champeta and afrobeats. With an enveloping rhythm and emotionally charged lyrics, the song is an ode to deep connections that go beyond the superficial, highlighting the peace and happiness that an authentic relationship can offer. The musical production and vocal performance of both artists manage to capture the romantic essence of the song, perfectly complementing its relaxed vibe. — LUISA CALLE

Luck Ra & Elvis Crespo, “Suavemente” (Sony Music Latin)

Luck Ra’s viral “Hola Perdida” collaboration with Khea that later counted with a Maluma remix, ultimately got him on the radars of artists such as Chayanne and now, Elvis Crespo. For his latest release, the Argentine newcomer teamed up with Crespo for a revamped version of the 1998 merengue classic “Suavemente.” Recorded live during a Luck Ra concert, the two artists delivered the surprising collab that starts off as a fiery merengue but then transitions into a fast-paced cuarteto or cuartetazo beat (a musical genre born in Córdoba, Argentina similar to merengue). “Che primo, you do it because it suits you best,” Luck Ra says to Crespo at the beginning of the track after kicking off the timeless intro: “Suavemente, besame/que quiero sentir tus labios besandome otra vez.” — J.R.

Grupo Marca Registada feat. Robertito Salas, “Aquí No Acaba El Brillo” (RB Music/Interscope Records)

Sinaloense banda ensemble Grupo Marca Registrada and musician Robertito Salas team up to commemorate a revered figure whose influence endures beyond his time in “Aquí No Acaba el Brillo.” The song captures the essence of a respected man from Culiacán, known for his charisma and brightness, symbolically represented by his Corvette. As the title suggests, the banda track, ichly layered with gripping accordion riffs and robust percussion, asserts that though he is no longer with us, his legacy will never dim. It’s a touching narrative that reassures loved ones never be forgotten. — I.R.

Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below: