For the second playlist honoring Latinx heritage month, The Beacon has decided to show you a different aspect of Latin music. This playlist is more soft rock, alternative and indie pop. All of these musicians deserve some recognition for their highly talented tunes. This playlist is perfect for study sessions or for just some feel-good jams you can bop to at any time of the day.
Verde más allá - Jenny & The Mexicats
This second playlist starts off with Jenny and The Mexicats. It’s a very chill song that’s easy to nod along to and talks about procrastination (which is something everyone is feeling with midterms coming up).
Corre amor - Comisario Pantera (México)
This Mexican band has great music, but — just to give you a taste of what they can do — listen to this song. In the current music scene dominated by reggaeton, Comisario Pantera is sight for sore eyes and they’re really talented.
Purple Yellow Red and Blue - The Chamanas (Mexican-American)
Many have heard the original song by Portugal. The Man, which is no doubt a bop, but this is a pretty solid cover. The Mexican-American group gives the song more of a Latin beat and adds some smooth harmonies that will make you want to put this song on repeat. Also, the translation on this song is so accurate.
When the sun goes down + Alcohol (Bonus Track) ft El Sabino - La Garfield
All the way from Guadalajara Jalisco, this group gained mainstream success thanks to their fusion of musical genres and their killer lead vocalist, María Centeno. If you’re still not impressed, she also sings in Spanish, English and French. You’re welcome. (Also Shoutout to El Sabino.)
Muchacha - Los Romanticos de Zacatecas
Muchacha means “girl” in Spanish — so the main message of the song is that the Mexican lead singer can’t be without ‘that girl.’ This is just another super sweet, cheesy song on this playlist, because why not?
Pasos de gigante - Bacilos
With band members from Colombian, Brazilian and Puerto Rican descent, the Miami-based group gives us this classic, sweet and romantic song. The chorus is saying that the singer’s heart palpitations feel like giants walking when he is with her. Is that not the cheesiest and cutest thing you’ve ever heard?!
De musica ligera - Soda Stereo .
This is one of the most iconic groups not only in Argentina, but throughout Latin America. They’re so popular that Cirque du Soleil decided to make a show soley about their songs (yeah, they’re that good). This song is the anthem of Latin rock, so plug in your headphones, sit back and let this song take you back to the ‘90s.
Azul - Little Jesus
This song is more upbeat, kicking off with quick percussion and a killer riff. The Mexico City-based band will get you up and moving within the first few seconds of this head-banging song.
Labios rotos - Zoé
This talented alternative Mexican band makes another appearance because they’re too good not to be included on more than one playlist. This song is about how strange love can be. It starts off with a strong beat and a high floaty melody that will get you swaying from side to side. But then the theme completely changes going into the refrain, where the song produces a more haunting sound — a dramatic switch that only Zoé could pull off.
Eres - Café Tacuba
The intro is what gets you hooked. Then Ruben Albarran starts singing about that one person who is the only thing he wants in this world. This song is all about love. Are you surprised? (Nope.) Make sure you listen all the way through though because the end is probably the best part of the song.
Como tú - León Larregui
Recognize that voice? That’s because this Mexican swooner is the lead singer of Zoé, except in this he’s solo, singing yet another love song.
Tu Carcel En Vivo Desde Tijuana, Mexico/2004 - Enanitos Verdes
This early 2000s cover of Los Bukis’ song is more upbeat than the original and adds a touch of soft-rock. The Argentinian group’s version is the kind of song where people in the crowd pull out their phones, turn on their flashlights and sway to the music as they sing along together.
Segundo plato - Voz Veis
This Venezuelan group is not as well-known in the Latin American music scene. But in this breakup song, they bring a more ballad-like sound than the rest of this playlist. It’s the perfect song to wind down at the end of the day.
Carmensita - Devendra Banhart
The playlist ends with a fun song. This Venezuelan-American artist adds in a catchy refrain that will get you singing along. It will definitely get stuck in your head, but, hey, at least it’s good music.
Ana Clyde is a sports reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at clyde20@up.edu.
Paula Ortiz Cazaubon is a photographer for The Beacon. She can be reached at ortizcaz20@up.edu.
