HOT HALF DOZEN 1.2.24

155 submissions this week

The Family Record, album by Emillie Clepper. From the heavy, deeply emotional “Someplace Like Heaven” to the upbeat and cheeky “Steel My Car,” Emilie brings us a mix of country, blues, old world, and cowboy tunes, dedicated to her father. A country album that speaks to everyone (even in French!). Stream on Spotify.

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You Spin Me Round, single by Maggie Szabo. One of Szabo’s best-written and best-produced songs. Fast, high tempo, but with her voice distant, like she is singing to you from a ways off, or in your mind – and it works so well. The hook – “round, round” is impossible to shake – just go with it. Stream on all major platforms.

Lagunas, single by Ed Mavrick. One of Mexico’s most popular singers’ psychedelic cover of the Peso Pluma & Jasiel Nuñez hit “Lagunas” from their GENESIS album. The song comes from the deep space of his mind, circling and swirling, but muted and almost nostalgic like the light reaching us from a star long dead. Spanish. A work of art. Stream on all major platforms.

Sin Vergüenzas, single/video by Doris Anahi. This is the first song from the Mexico-based Chicana singer-songwriter’s new EP, Por Las Buenas. Filled with indie, soul, and hints of traditional mariachi sounds, it blends her deep blues voice with a softly swaying Mexican mariachi trumpet, the heartbreak of boleros, and gentle jazz. Beautifull. Stream on Spotify

Sabes, single by Libni Casher. Mysterious, sophisticated, and down-to-earth at the same time. Not rap – more like syncopation with a beautiful voice. Sabes is a hook in itself, but it carries in its skeleton many hooks driven by light snare drum rim hits and an angelic tropical flute. Gudalajara-based, she is on Cienfuegos’ new album, Viaje Adentro. Spanish. Stream on Spotify.

Bancorrota , single by Paty Cantu. A Mexican-American songwriter-performer who has consistently hit the million+ streams mark for her songs, released this fast-moving, tightly produced mover with trap beats and well-timed whistles over Christmas. Snap your fingers, move your feet, and put it on replay for a high-energy day. Stream on all major platforms.