Alt.Latino

'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre do their best to keep up with new releases, but sometimes great music evades their radar. On this episode, the duo highlight some of the best songs they never got a chance to share during the year. Music We Missed in 2024 • Sanje, "Buen Fantasma" (from 'De Repente Otra Vez') • David Lindes, "Te Vengo A Perdonar" (from 'Peace With A Lion') • Yung Dupe X Kimmø X PUGSPUGSPUGS, "Nube Negra" (from 'Políticamente Correcto') • Benjamin Walker, "Libre" (from 'LIBRE') • Lhasa de Sela et Yves Desrosiers, "El Cosechero" (from 'First Recordings') • Dom La Nena, "Pierre et les fleurs" (from 'LA VIE DE MA MÈRE') Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run through their favorites in a crowded year for excellent songs, from innovative Spanish hip-hop to distinctive jazz. Songs featured in this episode: •Çantamarta, "MOTORIZADO" •Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada" •Zaccai Curtis, "Maple Leaf Rag" •Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, "DUMBAI" •Melissa Aldana, "A Purpose" •Residente, "313" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It's that time of the year — figuring out the best Latin music of 2024. And every year, it gets harder and harder (seriously, it's difficult!) for Ana and Felix to narrow down their extensive lists. Joined by NPR culture reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, the three round up the best albums of this year. Songs featured in this episode: •Angélica Garcia, "El Que" from Gemelo •Hinds, "Coffee" from Viva Hinds •Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Lluego El Caballero (feat. Gilberto Santa Ross)" from Swing Forever •Latin Mafia, "tengo mucho ruido." from TODOS LOS DÍAS TODO EL DÍA •RaiNao, "readysita" from CAPICÚ •Orquesta Akokán, "Caracoles" from Caracoles Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre continue their discussion on the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys and the industry's changes, featuring insight from Nathy Peluso, Rauw Alejandro and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Fuerza Regida, "TQM" •Fuerza Regida, "Que onda" •Fuerza Regida "HARLEY QUINN" •Latin Mafia, "y como te digo que" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Latin Grammys recently marked its 25th anniversary. Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre was in Miami to talk to some of Latin music's most influential artists to understand some of the trends that are shaping Latin music today, shared over two episodes. Songs featured in this episode: •Juanes, "Fíjate Bien" •Juanes, "Vida Cotidiana" •Álvaro Díaz, "Quien Te Quiere" •Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera "Bebé Dame" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre may be traveling in Spain, but that doesn't mean they don't stop finding exciting new music to share. On this episode, they bring "folk pirano" from Damaris Bojor, laidback bedroom pop from Chicocurlyhead, the latest from Becky G and more. Songs featured in this episode: •El León Pardo, "La Perica" •Laura Itandehui, "La Distancia" •Haydée Milanés, "Requiem Para Un Amor" •Chicocurlyhead, "WASTED WEEKEND" •Damaris Bojor, "No es normal" •Becky G, "OJALÁ" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain this week for a music conference, so they soaked up the local sounds. Featured Songs: - Mayte Martín, "El Breve Espacio Que No Está" - Rels B and Lia Kali, "La Vida Sin Ti" - Judeline, "INRI" - Buika, "La Niña De Fuego" Listen to the playlist at https://npr.org/altlatino. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Anamaria Sayre brings some exciting new sounds coming out Mexico City (while recording from Mexico City) including sweet new music from Colombian artist Elsa Y Elmar, while Felix Contreras shares new jazz-classical out of Barcelona and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Elsa y Elmar, "Palacio" •Alih Jey, "Luz de Gas" •Little Jesus, "Tierra Llamando A Sant" •Lucia Fumero, "Folklore II" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

To celebrate the release of a new book from NPR Music, How Women Made Music, as well as the 50th anniversary this year of the album Celia & Johnny, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre walk through their favorite songs by the legendary Celia Cruz, alongside the artist's niece Linda Pritchett. Songs featured in this episode: • Celia Cruz, "Bemba Colorá" • Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, "Yiri Yiri Bon" • Celia Cruz, "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" • Celia Cruz, "Quimbara" • Celia Cruz, "Cuando Salí de Cuba" • Celia Cruz, "La vida es un carnaval" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play a few of their favorite new tracks, some from Alt.Latino standbys and some exciting new discoveries, too. Also, we hear from an Alt.Latino listener about a Dominican song that moves her. Songs featured in this episode: • Twanguero, "Rumba #2" • Twanguero, "La Leyenda de Cañaveral" • Rosalía, "Omega (feat. Ralphie Choo)" • Wyatt Flores, "Oh Susannah" • pablopablo, Helado Negro, "Lejos De Más" • Troker, "El Novio (Versión Mariachi)" • Los Sufridos, Bad Gyal, "Duro de Verdad pt. 2" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino is usually all about sharing new music across Latin America, but what about the older cuts Ana and Felix are obsessed with? On this episode, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras share the music they've been playing on repeat, from beloved classics by greats like Ella Fitzgerald to surprising new discoveries out of Mexico like Paloma Morphy. Songs featured in this episode: •Paloma Morphy, "me faltas tú" •George Shearing Quintet, "Juana Palangana" •Carin León and Bolela, "Aviso importante" •Chick Corea Trio, "Spain" •Alex Ferreira, "Un Cariñito" •Alex Ferreira, "Un Cariñito (Versión Acústica)" •Ella Fitzgerald, "Angel Eyes" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Wait a minute — does Alt.Latino actually agree with a lot of the Latin Recording Academy's nominations this year? Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run through as many of the whopping 58 categories as they can in this episode dissecting the nominations for the upcoming ceremony. Songs featured in this episode: •Grupo Frontera, "CANSADO DE SUFRIR" •Grupo Frontera and Yahritza y Su Esencia, "LAS FLORES" •Grupo Frontera and Christian Nodal, "Ya Pedo Quién Sabe" •Dayme Arocena, "A fuego lento" •Hamilton de Holanda, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, "Saudade, Saudade" •Kali Uchis and Karol G, "Labios Mordidos" •Karol G, "MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN" •Latin Mafia, "Julieta" •Kevin Aguilar, "Bonita" •Nicolle Horbath, "Carmen" •Nicole Horts, "Bitch3" •Ana Frango Elétrico, "Dela" •Angélica Olivo, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Orquesta Latino Mexicana, "La Minerva - III. Himno a la Mujer" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This week on Alt.Latino, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras talk about an exciting new album from Manu Chao on the way — his first in 17 years — and their favorite recent songs from artists like the Dominican indie rock band Solo Fernández, ethereal pop from Tiny Desk Contest Winner Linda Diaz and more. Ana and Felix are starting something new this week. Felix always says it, but it's not a Mexican party until someone cries. So every episode starting today, they'll talk to a listener about a song that moves them to tears. And they want to know, what song moves you to tears? Email alt.latino@npr.org for a chance to be featured on the show. Songs featured in this episode: •Janeiro feat. André Viamonte, "LEGO" •Manu Chao, "São Paulo Motoboy" •Solo Fernández, "TELESCOPIO" •Solo Fernández, "BROOKLYN" •Solo Fernández, "TÚ NUNCA DEJARÁS DE SER POESÍA" •Linda Diaz feat. Solomon Fox, "Watching Ourselves Die" •Julieta Rada, "Baile del Candombe" •Amaia Miranda, "Mientras vivas brilla" •Nick Drake, "Pink Moon" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

'El Tiny' season at the Tiny Desk launches next week and this year it's all about love — familial and romantic, with drama fit for a telenovela. Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras preview this year's line-up, sharing a sneak peek at what 2024's 'El Tiny' has to offer. Songs featured in this episode: •Juanes, "Mala Gente" •Juanes, "A Dios Le Pido" •Ivan Cornejo, "Ya Te Perdí" •Okan, "Okantomi" •Eladio Carrión, "Mama's Boy" •Daniel, Me Estás Matando, "Lo Hice, Te Dejé" •Danny Ocean, "Me Rehúso" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras play some of their favorite new songs from the last few months, featuring globe-spanning electronica from Colombian producer Sinego, border-crossing new music from La Doña, nuanced salsa from Spanish Harlem Orchestra and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Adrian Quesada, "Dos Manos" •Nancy Sanchez, "You Are" •Sinego, "Quema" •Sinego, Pahua, "Sol" •Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Llegó El Caballero (feat. Gilberto Santa Rosa)" •La Doña, "Corrales" •La Doña, "Corrido Para Palestina" •Andres Levin (feat. Pedrito Martinez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yissy García & Yerba Buena), "Manteca 2.0 (An homage to Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie & Cayo Hueso)" •Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo and Gil Fuller, "Manteca" •Nico Sorin, Proyecto Gomez Casa, Lucy Patané, "Karma Dron" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills and Otis Hart. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Over the past month thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets to protest the disputed election of president Nicolás Maduro, while Venezuelan artists like Danny Ocean use music to reflect on this political moment. But Ocean's work is just one data point in a long history of music from Venezuela that embodies the political opinions and emotions of those within the country and the diaspora. On this week's episode, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are joined by producer Isabella Gomez Sarmiento to walk through crucial moments in Venezuela's political history over the last 30 years, and the music that soundtracked it. Songs featured in this episode: •Yordano, "Por estas calles" •Carlos Baute, "Yo me quedo en Venezuela" •Canserbero, "Es Épico" •Danny Ocean, "Me Rehúso" •Apache, "Rompiendo el Hielo" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills, Zach Thompson, Tony Cavin and Didi Schanche. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre run through their favorite new music, including new work from Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean in the midst of the country's political crisis, Girl Ultra leaning into her techno side, funky, electro-cumbia from Superfónicos and more. Songs featured in this episode: •Superfónicos, "Renaceré" •Girl Ultra, "lalala" •Fuerza Regida, "TUQLO" •Danny Ocean, "por la pequeña Venecia" •Lisa Morales, "Hermanitas in the Rain" •Jazz Orishas, "Deniye" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Taylor Haney, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The genre commonly referred to as "Chicano soul" has that "you know it if you hear it" kind of sound. It's a bicultural interpretation of late 1950s and early '60s African American R&B ballads by Mexican American youth, influenced by the operatic style of Mexican rancheras. Broken hearts, unrequited love and loving the wrong person are often the main themes. Real talk: it's the smooth, bilingual vocals of Malo's 1972 hit "Suavecito" expressing the thrill of a new love that is still heard at lowrider car shows or the pleas of "You're Still A Young Man' by Tower of Power, to name a few examples. This week Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre unpack the genre and how the tradition is being reborn by a crew of young artists making it sparkle anew. Songs featured in this episode: •Malo, "Suavecito" •Joe Bataan, "I Wish You Love, P1. 1" •Tower of Power, "You're Still A Young Man" •Thee Sacred Souls, "Can I Call You Rose?" •The Altons, "Soon Enough" •Thee Sinseers feat. Joey Quinones, "Seems Like" •Mikey Jimenez, "Takin' All My Lovin'" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Suraya Mohamed, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre round up their favorite new tracks, including heartbroken music from Omar Apollo, a mix of jazz and Afro-Puerto Rican sounds from Papo Vazquez and a controversial new merengue electrónico track from Karol G. Songs featured in this episode: •Omar Apollo, "Empty" •Los Cenzontles, "Different Drum" •Mabe Fratti, "Oidos" and "Intento fallido" •Karol G, "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" •Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hamilton de Holanda, "Mandalagh" •Papo Vazquez and Mighty Pirates Troubadours, "Plena Pa'Los Apache" Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Even if you don't know Edgar Barrera's name, you know his work. The multiple Grammy-winning writer and producer has worked with dozens of the biggest names in Latin music — Bad Bunny, Maluma, Karol G, Camilo — the list goes on. But he's also one of the main forces pushing regional Mexican into the mainstream over the past few years, and turning Pan-Latin sounds into pop perfection. This week on Alt.Latino, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre visit Barrera in his studio, as he breaks down how he makes a hit song. Songs featured in this episode: •Toy Selectah, "Hay Guey" •El Cuarteto de Nos, "Enamorado tuyo" •Grupo Frontera, Nicki Nicole, "Desquite" •Manuel Turizo and Marshmello, "El Merengue" •Carin León and Maluma, "Según Quién" Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy