Christian Alicea’s ‘Swingkete Vol. 1 – Maratón’ & More Best New Music Latin

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. 

Christian Alicea, Swingkete Vol. 1 – Maratón (Rimas Entertainment)

Alicea’s first album under Rimas Entertainment, his label since February, is exactly what the title suggests: a marathon of tropical gems. In a moment where regional sounds continue to dominate the scene in Latin music — from Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos to Karol G’s Tropicoqueta — Alicea’s Swingkete is a standout, honoring his beloved Puerto Rico fusing traditional styles like bomba, plena and salsa with cumbia and Afrobeat. The salsa singer, formerly a fireman, recruits Jowell & Randy, J Álvarez, Frabian Eli and Eliot “El Mago D Oz,” to help him usher a new era for salsa music.

From beginning to end, the LP is a joy to listen to. From the unexpected but really fun Colombian cumbia “Me Lo Gozo” powered by an earworm chorus to his “Homenaje a J Álvarez,” an ode to the OG reggatonero from Puerto Rico who joins him to sample the anthemic “La Pregunta.”  And then there’s “Carrusel,” a signature fast-paced salsa powered by a potent percussion and commanding brass instruments. He closes with “Gracias,” a violin-led power ballad that shows another side of Alicea. With Swingkete, it’s safe to say that Alicea cements his role as a leading force among the new generation of salsa hitmakers. — GRISELDA FLORES