Dream Chaser, album by Willie Nelson. What can I say? Nelson has a niche following in Mexico and Latin America, and a few of his songs have been covered in Spanish, but as the icon of American Americana, a new album is news everywhere in the music world. And it does not disappoint. He delivers a warm, reflective 10-song set about ageing, memory, and the road with soft restraint and a still-supple voice. I love “Developing My Pictures” about bringing forth the memories, complete with twangy guitars, a Hammond, harmonica, upright bass…pure WN and pure country. Stream everywhere.
Aguien mas, single by Selines. The 21-year-old Mexican-American singer-songwriter from New York delivers a bilingual folk-pop song that is introspective, folk-leaning and moves gently along. It explores memory, family roots and the bittersweet pull of home on her 2026 album “Nostalgia.” It creates a world of nostalgia, making you feel like you are floating in her memories. Very lovely, very touching. And it even has a hook. Bilingual. Stream on major platforms.
Paloma, single La Zorra Zapata. La Zorra Zapata is the musical project of Nuria Zapata, a multidisciplinary artist from Lima, Peru, whose experimental indie-pop fuses loop-based soundscapes, visual arts training and theatrical performance into a dark, sensual and feminist-leaning sonic world. This song was written by a Mexican singer-songwriter, Tomas Mendez Sosa, known for a whole “paloma” universe of Paloma songs. Zapata puts her own dark stamp on it. Very beautiful. Spanish. Stream on major platforms.
Otra Cosa Mariposa and Sunpot, singles by Nina del Rio. “Otra Cosa, Mariposa” means “enough – let’s change the subject” in colloquial Spanish. Brooklyn-born/Argentine raised uses the phrase to create a jazzy Latin American folk song with an R&B feel and and a touch of pop in her dreamy voice. Released in 2026 (after the less dreamy English “Sunspot”), it takes a bit of listening to get into it, but her beautiful voice and conversational style make it addictive. Stream on Spotify.
Aguardiente, single by Miranda del Sol. A clubby, groove-forward bilingual alt-pop track by the Brooklyn-based Cuban-Argentinian American singer-songwriter and producer that has a late-night party anthem feel, even though it is about loneliness. Vocally, she moves smoothly between English and Spanish, weaving in lines like “los ojos te vencen/you’re over it,” as she realizes the other person has emotionally checked out. English and Spanish. Stream on all major platforms
Long Long Time, single by Athena Andreadis. The 1970’s nostalgia song by Gary White and released by Linda Ronstadt, melts in your ears in this cover by the Greek-American songstress Athena. She brightens it with a sparkling composition but gives it depth with her amazing voice. Lovely. Stream everywhere.
BONUS Guaguanco, by Tomas Rodriquez. Beautiful instrumental guitar by a master.
