New music friday: Carin León & Mau y Ricky innovate in their new albums, Oscar Maydon & Junior H join forces

Latin music is ending the craziest three weeks of the year, closing out the period of new album releases that could be submitted to the 2024 Latin Grammys. Perhaps hoping to fulfill the biblical saying that the last will be first, Carin León, Mau y Ricky, Olga Tañon, Omar Montes, all-female mariachi Flor de Toloache, Gusi, Pancho Barraza, Draco and others rushed to release their albums this week. Those coming out after today will have to wait until the 2025 awards.

Just because they came in last doesn't mean they aren't excellent, of course. Carin León delivered "Boca Chueca Vol. 1." It is her first studio album after her highly successful "Colmillo de leche" and is the first work by a Mexican music artist to come so close to country. In fact, there are his collaborations with Kane Brown and Leon Bridges. He also has tracks with Pepe Aguilar, Bolel and Pantheon Rococo.

Mau y Ricky, on their end, have released their highly anticipated album "Hotel Caracas." This 15-track collection, accompanied by music videos filmed in their homeland of Venezuela, was created during a three-month trip with their families. The journey marked the first time the Montaner brothers returned home since their family moved to Miami 15 years ago, except for a brief visit to bid farewell to their grandfather.

A post shared by instagram

The videos, directed by fellow Venezuelan Daniel Durán, are as beautiful and moving as expected. The album's standout track is an intriguing mix of pop and rap featuring Puerto Rican legend Arcángel. Additionally, the album includes a collaboration with the Dominican merengue band Ilegales, among many other surprises.

Other Latin music artists releasing albums this week are Puerto Rican diva Olga Tañón, who once again is betting on salsa. Omar Montes' record is a hard return to his flamenco musical roots, and Draco surprised with a collection of covers, reimagining some of the most iconic songs in Latin rock.

Marcelo Rubio, known in his childhood as mini Marc Anthony, deserves a special mention. His sophomore album is a beauty and "Luna," the song he released today a jewel of the new era of Latin pop.