Every week, La Alternativa delivers the very best from the Latin alternative scene by curating a blend of emerging and established artists within the Latin diaspora, while providing a platform to champion our growing local music scene. Listen on demand here and on 88Nine from 10-11 p.m. every Wednesday.
We’re back with our new music round up, and there’s so much to talk about. Not only is Bruno Mars giving fans a taste of boleros, we’ve got a tribute to the ’90s with Ana Tijoux’s “Vino y Vinilos” and even something for the Chismosas, thanks to Cain Culto and Jarina de Marco.
“Vino y Vinilos” is one of Tijoux’s recent releases in anticipation of her forthcoming EP, 97. Done in collaboration with DJ Dacel, she channels the golden era of hip-hop and rap, guided by the sounds of D’Angelo, Nas and so many others. Luckily, we don’t have to wait too long for the full project, which is due to be released March 12 via Victoria Producciones.
Another one on our minds lately is “Risk It All.” Not just for the tempo change Bruno Mars employed in the song, but also because it’s quite simply charming and alluring — a guaranteed wedding track for 2026.
Opening with a traditional mariachi, Mars swoons over his lovely counterpart and carries that vibe into a stunning music video. Vibrant blues and red paint the frame, and viewers are given a glimpse of the honeymoon period of a newly wed couple. If you’ve been sitting too long on telling that special someone how you feel, this song might be a great assist.
In a very different vein, Cain Culto and Jarina de Marco have been dropping clips for “Chismosa,” and we can’t get over it. We get Dora and Boots, El Chavo y La Chilindrina, Spongebob and Patrick — all the iconic duos, all with the purpose of shouting the chismosas and reminding audiences that chisme can sometimes be a form of protection. Maybe it’s not about who got in a fight with who, but rather the toxic person you should stay away from.
Episode playlist
- Quitapenas, “Ya Veran”
- Sotomayor, “Vida”
- Sofia Valdes, “Silvia”
- canela, “(no quiero ver) television”
- Ana Tijoux, “Vinos y Vinilos”
- Control Machete, “Si Senor”
- Cancamusa, “Fue un Adios”
- Luna Luna, “something bout u”
- Little Jesus ft. Conociendo Rusia, “El Show Debe Continuar”
- Cain Culto ft. Jarina De Marco, “Chismosa”
- Idea Blanco, “Violeta, tu estrella en la frente”
- CLUBZ & Isla de Caras, “Fugazi”
- Bruno Mars, “Risk It All”
- Abel, “Lloro”
