Best music of the year (so far)

Karol G leans into a Pan-Latin approach on her latest album. Jazz vocalist Roxana Amed reimagines classic rock from her native Argentina. And more.Artists and songs featured in this episode:• Panteón Rococó, "Parison" (featuring Carín León, Sabino & Remmy Valenzuela)• Juan Wauters, "Manejando por Pando"• Roxana Amed, "Dejaste Tu Corazon"• Fito Páez and Luis Alberto Spinetta, "Dejaste Ver Tu Corazón"• Karol G, "Tropicoqueta," "No Puedo Vivir Sin Él," and "Ese Hombre Es Malo"• MiMa and Villano Antillano, "Fuego"• maye, "Yo Me Consiento" and "Peter Pan"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A look at some of the most intriguing music released during the first six months of the year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week Anamaria Sayre continues to scour her part of the internet for great new tracks that will impress Felix Contreras, while he continues to explore Latinos who sing country music.Featured artists and songs: • Alleh & Yorghaki, "me late"• Alleh & Yorghaki, "capaz (merengueton)"• Louie TheSinger, "Quicker Way To Jesus"• pablopablo, "Dónde Estás!"• Bruce Springsteen, "Adelita" • Bruce Springsteen, "Sinaloa Cowboys" • Belafonte Sensacional, "Llamas Rexio"• Belafonte Sensacional, "Todavía DF"• David Byrne and Brian Eno, "Mea Culpa"• Juana (feat. ELENI), "La Paloma"Credits 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The influence of Eastern Europe immigration in Latin America can be heard in the way the accordion was adapted and adopted in countries like Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and beyond.This week we take a deep dive into those traditions with our guide, Eduardo Díaz, former director of Latino cultural information for the Smithsonian Institution.Featured artists and songs:• Narciso Martínez, "Nix"• Carlos Vives, "Hijo de Vallenato"• Los Corraleros de Majagual, "La Pollera Colorada" • Luis Gonzaga, "Asa Branca"• Grupo Alma Serrana, "Puerto Tirol"• Francisco Ulloa, "El Farolito"• Tatico Henriquez, "La Invasión de Deiziseis"CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras was a Tiny Desk Contest judge this year, and on this episode, he brings six of his favorite entries to the show. Artists and songs featured:• Esotérica Tropica, "Despierta"• Mario Diaz, Bachi and Los Salvajes, "Ropa de Colores"• alegrías, "Daygo"• Charly Siaba, "Lejos de Aquí"• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Rayo del Sol"• Taisha Estrada, "El Abstracto"CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week's mixture of jazz, trance-inducing beats, Mexican folk and gorgeous indie pop has something for everyone.Featured artists and songs:Paloma Morphy, "1 tipo nuevo"Camila Meza, "Persistir"Rusowsky, "Malibu"Ines Velasco, "Todo Es Para Decir"Pachyman, "Hard to Part"Las Chorizeras, "Blue Eyed Man"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Co-host Anamaria Sayre finally gets to share the new Guitarricadelafuente album with the world, and catch the NPR audience on the viral sensation Macario Martínez. Felix Contreras spotlights Lido Pimienta's symphonic pivot.Featured artists and songs:• Guitarricadelafuente, "BABIECA!"• Haydée Milanés, "Un amor que se demora"• Macario Martínez, "Sueña Lindo, Corazón"• Macario Martínez, "Otra Vez"• Macario Martínez, "¿qué somos hoy?"• Macario Martínez, "Hey destino"• Lido Pimienta, "Quiero Que Me Beses"• Marco Mares & Sabino, "digo que no, pero si"• Adri Paíz, "Quererte o No"CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The music this week comes from a variety of countries and genres, some of it sounds like music you've heard ... while others sound like nothing you've heard before.Featured artists and songs:• Natalia Bernal, "Más Allá"• Jaze, "mil procedimientos"• Jaze & Susana Baca, "jomalón"• Jaze, "boomeran'"• The Mars Volta, "Fin" • The Mars Volta, "Enlazan las tinieblas"• The Mars Volta, "Alba del orate"• The Mars Volta, "Lucro sucio"• Diego Mema, "la forma de quererte"• Diego Mema, "till there was you" (Beatles cover)• The Rumba Madre, "Abuela"• Junior Zamora, "Salsa y Clase"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Anamaria Sayre talks about the history of Puerto Rican hip-hop with rapper PJ Sin Suela. Featured artists and songs:• PJ Sin Suela & Chuwi, "Escúchame "• PJ Sin Suela, "Es La Hora"• Nuff Ced & Tek 1, "Metrópolis"• PJ Sin Suela, Siete Nueve & Messy Deprat , "Illegal 2.0"• E.A. Flow, "D'Aqui"• Intifada, Luis Diaz & Yallzee "Albizu"• Los Pleneros de La Cresta, "Los de la Isla"• Bad Bunny & Los Pleneros de La Cresta, "CAFé CON RON"• Tego Calderón, "Gracias"• Ñejo Y Dálmata, "Asi Es la Vida"• PJ Sin Suela, "San Dunga"• PJ Sin Suela, "Mambrú" • PJ Sin Suela, "Vivo" • PJ Sin Suela & Jorge Drexler, "Todo Se Complica"CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Lauren Migaki. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre talk artistic growth and precocious talent.Featured artists and songs:• Natalia Lafourcade, "Cancionera"• Natalia Lafourcade & El David Aguilar, "Como Quisiera Quererte"• Natalia Lafourcade & Hermanos Gutierrez, "Luna Creciente"• Irene Diaz, "Anything For You"• Eladio Carrión & Myke Towers, "Vetements"• Eladio Carrión & Lia Kali, "Me Muero"• Kayatibu, LUIZGA & Yaka Huni Kuin, "Nai Basa Masheri"• Santi Sc, "Cuando Nos Besamos" (feat. Dirk)• Santi Sc, "Home Run"• Maria Marquez, "La Lagrima"CreditsAudio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy