By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
We're not going to start fighting with other media outlets at this point in the year., who have made a huge effort in making great selections of the best albums from their country, continent or the whole world. Everyone has their reasons, and there are some wonderful choices that are definitely worth noting. Here at Zonagirante.com, our summary is different. We selected 10 albums that we liked, and that we feel, due to their independent and often self-managed identity, should be listened to in order to confirm that quality is often discovered outside the usual circles of the music industry. We don't play at being weird (maybe we are, but that's not our most fervent desire), it's simply our curiosity that demands us to go into uncomfortable corners to discover gems that are destined for only hundreds, maybe dozens of spectators and that we hope (wish) thousands, hopefully millions, can hear. These ten albums, as we always say, are not organized in order of preference (more according to the calendar), so we hope they will be listened to without prejudice.
Let's begin:
Jonaz – The Anti-Singles
Years ago, Monterrey was the mecca of a unique music scene, with bands that mixed folk, rock, disco and electronica in an uninhibited style. Plastilina Mosh was one of the greatest exponents of that era, with their fun and provocative sound that made you dance uncontrollably. In January, Jonaz, the more irreverent soul of the duo, returned with The Anti-Singles, an EP that keeps that party and rebellious spirit alive. The record kicks off with Escitalopram, a theme that seems straight out of a spy movie, but with a cheeky twist: «"10 mg of escitalopram so that everything works for you.". Then, The party continues with rhythms of funk, hard rock and punk, highlighting A Bad Deal, Pure guitar energy. However, there are moments that break from the euphoria, like Laura, a norteño ballad for heartbroken souls that could be played in a psychedelic cantina.
The Anti-Singles confirms that Jonaz continues to be a master at breaking the mold and getting everyone dancing.
The Indomitable – Mystical delirium
What does this wonderful sound like? Imagine: it's the middle of the night, something strange has happened, And a radio station in Costa Rica starts playing cumbias, boleros and other Latin rhythms, but not the typical ones. Here the stories are bizarre, full of narratives, poems, sound effects, and vinyl records that blend nostalgia with the future. This brilliant chaos is the work of Oscar Herrera, a sound designer who usually works in film., But now he's created an album (yes, it's seven tracks) that sounds like a pirated stream made to brighten your night.
Is it a weird podcast? Maybe someone thinks so. Is it for dancing? Definitely. Is it good for putting on headphones and getting lost in its madness? Absolutely. It's like joy has a new skin, irreverent and unique. So press play because, honestly, It's one of the best things we've heard since March.
Tropical Queen – Malagría
Music is changing, And the most interesting voices come from women and sexual dissidents. Although the mainstream It still doesn't give them enough space, projects like Malagría, Reyna Tropical's new album demonstrates their power. Led by Mexican-American Fabi Reyna, This album blends tropical rhythms with modern elements to create what she calls "the sound of the tropical diaspora.". With 20 cuts including songs, dialogues and samples, It addresses themes such as queer love, female sensuality, and the connection with the earth., offering a “sound homeland” to marginalized narratives.
Topics highlighted include Ancestral Connection, a tropical trip that invites body swaying, Cartagena, a relaxing calypso, and Huitzilin, A nostalgic closing. Formed in 2016, Reyna Tropical fuses roots and modernity, demonstrating that tradition can be reinvented without losing its essence. Malagría It is fresh, moving and renewing, a must-hear in contemporary music.
Slowkiss – KO.
Some albums you don't know you need until you listen to them, and KO., the album by the Chilean band Slowkiss, released in April, is one of them. After their last release in 2019, the band went through changes and international tours before returning with a more mature and powerful sound. Released by the German label Gunner Records, KO. It combines its punk and shoegaze essence with stoner textures and a more aggressive identity, without losing its melodic appeal.
The album, which lasts 40 minutes, It stands out for its intensity and ability to connect with a wide audience, drawing inspiration from bands like Deftones or Smashing Pumpkins. Among his best moments are Fast Food, which marks the evolution of the group, Dreaming, an introspective ballad, and Girl United, A powerful two-and-a-half-minute anthem. Listen to this album, Because from the very first note you'll understand why it's essential.
Child God – Roots
Niña Dioz's latest album, Roots, It's a rollercoaster of bold, seductive, and party-filled hip hop. In just 15 minutes, Carla Reyna combines her talent with names like La Dame Blanche and Serko Fú to deliver an explosive party that blends folkloric textures with contemporary rhythms. Inspired by the spirit of Cuban and Mexican orchestras of the mid-20th century, Niña Dioz rescues the essence of rumba and takes it to the streets, with lyrics that celebrate sex, identity and unbridled passion, confronting prejudices with joy and color. Amid this whirlwind of energy, it sounds A thorn in your side, a bolero in collaboration with Angélica María, It offers an intimate and nostalgic respite, evoking close-quarters dancing and shared dreams.
With Roots, Niña Dioz demonstrates how emerging stars They can honor the past while making the present dance.
Thaissa – Anomalous
The music market can be cruel, but also repetitive, with artists following worn-out formulas. However, in a saturated landscape, Anomalous, Thaissa's new album stands out for its boldness and freshness. Thaissa Bula, a Brazilian-Colombian-Ecuadorian artist based in Bogotá, It fuses neo-soul, pop, rock, hip-hop and electronica with Latin influences, creating a unique and provocative sound. Far from seeking comfort, This 36-minute album challenges the listener with unexpected melodies, powerful bass, and percussion., and a mischievous, jazzy spirit. Their lyrics blend languages, while their approach seeks to break the mold and avoid the monotony of commercialism.
Anomalous It's not mainstream music, but it is a work that opens doors and paves the way in the independent scene of Bogota. Thaissa proves that true beauty lies in the unusual, in daring to innovate, and her courage promises much for the future.
Dirty Quarantine – Sunglasses Gang
From Curitiba, Brazil, An instrumental trio arrives that mixes surf and garage with lots of reverb and style. Dirty Carol (drums), Dirty Matheus (guitar), and Dirty Alberto (bass) explore these genres with analog recordings and a focus on high frequencies, giving their music a fresh and unique sound. Featuring experienced musicians from the rock scene, The band has overcome the challenges of the pandemic, gaining popularity in their hometown and taking their art beyond Brazilian borders. Their focus on independence and their sonic creativity make them stand out as a great example of the musical richness that has always been brewing in Brazil.
This trio reminds us that the South American giant has a vibrant alternative scene that deserves more attention in Latin America. If you're looking for something authentic and energetic, this band is definitely worth a listen.
Animals also commit suicide – Weariness
Weariness, the recent work of the Chilean band Los Animales También Se Suicidan, It is a standout work within indie pop, shoegaze and dream pop. . With ten tracks of impeccable production, The album captivates the listener through moving compositions, carefully crafted melodies, enveloping guitars, and an exquisite vocal performance that elevates every everyday story to an emotional experience. The topic If it's about dying It shines as one of the most impactful songs of recent years. Its lyrical and musical intensity, crowned by the moving chorus. “If one must die, let it be of love, but never of boredom.”, It is deeply memorable.
Throughout the album, moments like Tinnitus o Nothing and no one They combine rich sound layers with a nostalgia that navigates between decades, offering a healing melancholy. Weariness It is a sonic journey that invites reflection, emotion and enjoyment, leaving a lasting sense of satisfaction.
End of the World– We grew a forest
The highest authority of this site apologizes for the frequent use of the word "tenderness," clarifying that it does not refer to weakness., but rather to understanding and empathy, a quality we always look for in music. He also apologizes for his fondness for shoegaze, ...noting that it is often created by ordinary people. From there, we must say that the new album by the Argentinian band Fin del Mundo, We grew a forest, It is one of the high points of music in 2024. The album achieves a perfect blend of stridency and tranquility, remembering classics like Loveless, Ferment y Psychocandand, but with its own identity. The female vocals contrast with the noise, creating a reverberating seduction. The album moves between indie-rock, shoegaze, post-rock, dream pop, krautrock, and Midwest-emo. The songs stand out. We live far away, One season in the winter, When it's all over y Calm will come. In short, a marvel, and yes, a truly tender record.
Winona Riders – Don't make me regret it
The Buenos Aires-based band Winona Riders releases their third album Don't make me regret it, which stands out for its better production and mixing compared to the two previous releases. The lyrics are, as always, and as we expect from them, provocative, touching on topics such as hallucinogenic experiences and social criticism with a touch of madness. This album, which encompasses genres such as stoner rock, shoegaze, and some folk, It's not for puritans or those looking for conventional music. At the time of the audition, a trip in a beat-up car is revealed, where the music creates an intense and psychedelic atmosphere, with guitars that seem to howl. Songs like Hondart y 680/680 They take the listener to peak moments of the psychotropic and dazzling experience. The title track, which lasts more than eleven minutes, seeks to exhaust the listener in a euphoric way. This is a wonderful album, although it's not suitable for everyone, especially in times of contemporary censorship., where some would like to return to the times of the inquisition and undue silence.
