The global music scene is unmistakably riding a powerful Latine wave. From Bad Bunny's upcoming Super Bowl performance to Karol G's Victoria's Secret stage and Shakira's 2.5 million-ticket world tour, the influence is everywhere. Yet, a quieter, more seismic shift occurred this week when the venerable music publication Pitchfork released its 50 best albums of the year.
An Underground Sensation Takes the Crown
Topping the list, surpassing releases by global celebrities like Rosalía and Addison Rae, was a self-titled debut from a little-known, esoteric Bolivian-American duo: Los Thuthanaka. Pitchfork described the project as a "lo-fi, psychedelic noise rock piece" that innovatively uses Andean folk instruments and samples from Bolivian pop music. The surprise selection sparked delighted reactions online, with one X user noting the hope inspired by "an unmastered album that isn’t on streaming and is clipping for 70% of its runtime." Another fan, identifying as a queer Latino, called it one of their favorite albums ever, celebrating the profound personal connection.
Beyond the Reggaeton Monolith
For many in queer Latino communities, this accolade is monumental. It showcases the true expansiveness of Latine identity and sound to a broader audience. While reggaeton's cultural impact is undeniable, its history includes the marginalization of queer people and persistent objectification of women. In response, queer Latino communities have often cultivated vibrant underground scenes that deserve equal recognition. This win underscores that Latine music is a spectrum of genres, not a single, mainstream sound.
The United States is still catching up in appreciating this diversity. Globally, major artists are increasingly collaborating with underground innovators reshaping Latinx sound. Examples include Rosalía featuring Mexican singer Yahritza Y Su Esencia and U.K. producer Fred Again.. working with the queer-coded Argentine duo CA7RIEL y Paco Amoroso. The underground scene itself is blossoming, with DJs and producers like Safety Trance and Rosa Pistola fusing techno with cumbia and guaracha.
A Gateway to a Rich Musical Future
Finding "Los Thuthanaka" requires some digging, as it's not on major streaming platforms like Apple Music or Spotify, but can be found on SoundCloud. The audio is intentionally lo-fi, yet the album is undeniably fun and culturally rich, weaving sounds from Bolivia and diverse Latin influences into a messy, emotional, and captivating experience. It serves as a perfect starting point to explore the breadth of genres emerging from Latin America, many of which may dominate charts in the coming decades.
This is an incredibly exciting time for Latine music and identity. It proves that Latine people are not a monolith but a diverse group of over 680 million individuals, a reality reflected in the expansiveness of their music. The world is finally tuning in, and a new generation of artists, from the underground up, is ready to be heard.
