100. Jumbo. “Cada vez que me voy”
DD y Ponle Play
After a compelling Restaurant and a jewel of a song titled “Fotografia”, Jumbo’s harmless music saw the light for the second time in one of the most conversational pop songs recently. Its self defining lyrics are warmly served by an almost effortless rock-pop accompaniment. In its most juvenile moment, Jumbo crafted a song as self-reflecting and fun as Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” JSB
099. Naty Botero. “Tú eres un indio”Naty Botero
This is probably an unexpected choice but Naty Botero does Kyle Minogue in this futuristic song about taking the next step, “vamos todos juntos vamos a progresar.” From the jumpy rhythms to the voluptuous refrain of “tu eres un indio y no un robot”, the song succeeds on its quest to cut past strings and welcome the new man, or the man surrounded by new media.
098. She’s a Tease. “Datos Íntimos” (Disco Ruido Club Mix)Happy Fi Compilation 5: Coyote Nights
There’s not a lot of information about She’s a Tease, but they have made a vastly enjoyable upfront of their upcoming breakthrough album. A pop song structured on a sequence of events turns out to be great material for an all glamorous disco club mix by Disco Ruido! The arrival of a text message becomes the primary excuse for an upbeat piece full of cheesy realities and dramatic outcomes. CR
097. Maria Daniela y Su Sonido Lasser. “Miedo” Maria Daniela y Su Sonido Lasser
Electro-pop spent much of this decade moving from the dance floor to the bedroom. However, Maria Daniela and Emilio Acevedo weren’t having any of this. “Miedo”, like most of this duo’s work, just cranks up the volume, spits high-energy vocals, and delivers synths and beats so fast and violent, you get the sense you’re gonna get beat the hell up if you don’t start moving your ass.
096. Circo. “Un Accidente” En el cielo de tu boca
Let’s face it, most of us are beautiful accidents of our beautiful moms and dads, Circo has made story about it. Puerto Rico’s most representative rock band, with the help of a foot tapping sequence, jumps from a metaphorically sexual song to the most poetic reading of the act. The fact that it sees sex as a battle and an orgasm as the fall of an Empire gives it extra points. CR
095. Belanova. “1,2,3 Go!”Fantasía Pop
Belanova is probably Mexico’s most legit mainstream pop act and this song gets just about everything right. It’s kitsch, girly and at the end, a bubbling machine of pop galore. This is also like a cruel bitch-slap to the very boring earlier Belanova (their Cocktail phase), they went from tasteless gum to a chewy effervescent Top40 bright band. CR
094. Chocquibtown. “Somos Pacifico” Chocquibtown
Too many bands tried to make an anthem to celebrate La Musica Latina! Most fail to do that because that on itself is dull and overpowering. Colombia’s Chocquibtown somehow succeeded on making such a song, and it’s anything but dull. Seriously, the song celebrates Colombian locality while shouting “Que viva la musica latina!”, a great catchy tune by great overpowering voices. JSB
093. Turbopotamos. “Terrorize You / Disco Flor”Single
They’re Peru’s everlasting new great band and probably the only act to keep rockabilly on its most refreshing point. This is a double feature about a breakup; a terrorizing event that is then pushed into the dance floor. The shift from one song to the other is barely there, but along the way, you’ll see a series of destructions and resolutions, “Still I lied and lied and lied ‘til I saw the size of her knife.” JSB
092. Los Amigos Invisibles feat. Natalia Lafourcade. “Vivire Para Ti”Commercial
Los Amigos Invisibles were already on the shortlist for “Best Live Band on the Planet,” but they’ve never really had one song that puta ll of their best qualities together – until “Vivire Para Ti.” Simultaneously charming, romantic, funky, funny, and danceable, this is an impossible song to ignore; even more so when Natalia Lafourcade goes toe-to-toe with the Venezuelan playboys, delivering one of her best all-around vocal performances.
091. Hello Seahorse! “Criminal”Bestia
An exquisite, almost progressive piece. Brilliant melodies, crunchy beats, ace synths & a dance groove that nods to Hello Seahorse’s past without departing from the concept of Bestia. On the contrary, “Criminal” elaborates on it thus: “todos tenemos una bestia por dentro, que vive de nuestras lagrimas y fracasos, pero duerme si le hacemos entender que su papel es existir y no insistir … genious. And how sweet is that voice?
090. Sr. Chinarro. “Del montón”El Mundo Según
Antonio Luque made a classic the minute his deep voice exclaims “pudo ser un amor del montón pero todo el montón no era mío.” If that phrase doesn’t make a great chorus, I don’t know what will. The song manages to keep the elegance of its flamenco foundation while going further into the pedestrian sound of trobadores. JSB
089. Tribalistas. “Ja Sei Namorar”Tribalistas
I still remember the first time I heard this song, I was on a vacation and I saw the video on some hotel’s TV. Marisa Monte’s heavenly melody (with Carlinhos & Arnaldo adding the greatest harmonies) got me immediately. The beat was infectious (the best beats always come from Brazil, apparently). I wrote their name down to get their album later, I did & it’s one of my favorite CDs ever.
088. Anti. “Corazones Legendarios”Antiaventura
Anti with longtime colleague Leonor (from Single) delivered the song Miguel Bose tried so hard to write during all these years but couldn’t. It levels lovers and artistes in terms of significance. It’s as circular as Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” and a dream-adventure of its down. “No será que solo soy un sonámbulo, rápido! queda poco para despertar.” CR
087. Daddy Yankee. “Somos de Calle” (Remix)Talento de Barrio
Daddy Yankee reunites all his friends to spit out some truths and a few lies; in one hand he reestablishes his corillo putting himself back into El Big Boss status, in the other hand, making a gigantic orgy of angry rappers/reggaetoneros whose 15 seconds of fame sum up to fantastic moment for urban music. MVPs Arcangel, Julio Voltio & Baby Rasta! CR
086. Rita Indiana. “La Sofi”Fonogramaticos Vol.3
This trashy rare recording gets even more simplification in its very reachable content. In fact, it stands as Club Fonograma’s most downloaded track, the only explication I could give is that people like the easy access to a song that becomes an ecstasy of all sorts. It’s a statement on social collide that needs no extra attachments or elaborate production, feels improvised and genius. “Tengo un disco de la sofi, lo quiero ponel.” CR
085. Mexican Institute of Sound. “Mirando a las muchachas”Piñata
Here are the best minutes of M.I.S.’s quest of reviving danzon with a little push from electronic music. What’s really amazing about it is how dense this track is, it really holds up to its culture-depicting commandment of guys surveying girls. It’s like a very nostalgic alteration to Mexico’s golden age of cinema, works flawlessly on the dance floor or on the palm of the hand.
084. Nuuro feat. Nana Cadavieco. “Brawl”Fonogramaticos Vol.5
There are so many great songs by Nuuro that one could list, but this one is special because it does a well job representing his development as an artist. We can hear both, the intimate very crystallized electro guru of his LPs and also the fun and playful kid that rearranges beats on his EPs. He gets some company from fellow Venezuelan Nana Cadavieco delivering a cacophonic ecstasy for the ages.
083. Austin TV. “Shiva”Fontana Bella
The most remarkable thing about “Shiva” i show intímate it sounds. Aside from a single distorted keyboard note that permeates throughout the song, there’s nothing on here aside from guitar, bass, and drums. This simple, almost stripped-down approach provides a solid foundation akin to the best Boredom tracks, with a result that’s both organic and whimsical. Oh, and that’s not even mentioning how much this song rocks balls.
082. Mr. Racoon. “Ferry 3”Katy
How dare does Roberto “Mr Racoon” Polo does a song as beautiful as “Ferry 3” about marriage? Specifically, a song suggests marriage as the way to get rid of loneliness, very scary stuff. It’s like the cut distant cousin of “Single Ladies” for romantic guys, it’s full of imagery and intensely catchy with its smoothening strings, claps and yes, that “turururu.” JSB
081. Juanes. “A dios le pido”Un dia normal
If I may disclose: This wasn’t exactly the most popular song amongst the writing staff when we composed this list. But it’s hard to argue that there isn’t something special about this track. From its careful weaving of religious and secular subject matter to the electric strumming and backbeat combo (that Juanes seems to have used on every single after this), there’s too much to love to really hate it.
080. Piyama Party. “Fan de Carcass”Mas Mejor
A song making its way into a classic, one of the Mexican rock songs of the decade. It’s the fable on how a guy becomes a hardcore fan of Carcass after listening to a cassette, this encounter redefines him completely, and he goes dark! “cuando voy a los conciertos me visto de negro sacudo el cabello, y si son cosas del Diablo por eso me gustan por eso yo las prefiero.”
079. Babasonicos. “Putita”Infame
“Sos tan espectacular no podrías ser mía nada más, tenias que ser de todos.” Sorrow is rarely this entertaining. Despite the title of the song, there probably isn’t another Babasonicos song as down tempo and strangely sweet as this one. It’s great enough that it has become one of the peak moments at any Babasonicos concerts, it sounds great with a stadium-scale public.
078. Los Fancy Free. “Ja Ja Ja”Nevergreens Vol.1
Martin Thulin and compañía are probably the most fun live band in Latin American rock after Café Tacvba, “Ja Ja Ja” proved Thulin’s Spanish skills weren’t that bad, in fact, there’s finally emotional tissue to grab on. The optimistic track functions on its own desperation, feeding itself from explosive clashes and frenetic drums. “La vida no es más que lo que tu inventes.”
077. Emilio José. “Son Gohan”Chorando Aprendese
With almost 22 tracks to choose from the brilliant Chorando Aprendese, Emilio Jose made a home run out of “Son Gohan.” Much has been said about his ability to organize music on a non-linear narrative, but what about that ridiculously comforting voice! The track’s shifts and samplings (Dragon Ball, Manu Chao, etc) gimmick the warmth parental love. It’s a march-like fest in progress.
076. Album. “Es Teatro Griego”Cancer Baby
A generational bound of what’s to come and what’s to become, Monterrey’s Album inspires in one of the sweetest love statements and musical passages of the decade. Let’s set the stage so that it welcomes triumphs, falls and beautiful summers. A beautiful wordplay layered on distorted camp-fire chants and a cursory operas, to the finalizing “I found you, I want you, I love you”, a triumph. CR
075. Juan Son. “Nada”Mermaid Sashimi
A baroque masterpiece that juggles metaphors of tombs, swamps, massacres & pagan dances to describe a scary, dark, hot & probably forbidden love. The brilliant string arrangement (an intro of pizzicatos that turn into rhythmic, romantic sway). The crystalline guitar arpeggios. The bass & beats. Everything paves the way for Juan Son’s voice to shine through like the unique for of nature he is! JMT