New Music Vault: January 2025
🔊Fresh Cuts, Timeless Vibes: The Tracks Defining the Sound of Now
The year 2025 has kicked off in full swing, as the music landscape continues to evolve with dynamic collaborations, forward-thinking innovations, and powerful artistic statements.
January’s vault highlights a mix of exhilarating electronic grooves, our usual megadose of fresh Latin American releases, and even one or two reimagined classics. From the latest in funk-fueled anthems to brand new supergroups and bold debuts, these tracks are setting the tone for a season filled with sonic novelty. Whether you're seeking dancefloor-ready beats or introspective ballads, there's definitely something here to spark your playlist for exciting times ahead.
Jungle - “Keep Me Satisfied”
Jungle is back with "Keep Me Satisfied", a track that effortlessly fuses their signature soul-inspired sound with pulsating grooves and hypnotic rhythms. A few bars into the song, Lydia Kitto’s smooth yet commanding vocals kick in, gliding over a bed of warm guitar licks, deep basslines, choral and percussive elements that feel both organic and futuristic. It’s a track that exemplifies what Jungle does best—crafting irresistibly danceable, feel-good anthems that seem tailor-made for late-night parties, festival stages, and cinematic montages of summer euphoria.
A follow-up to their 2024 single “Let’s Go Back”, the track feels like a natural extension of the sonic world established in their 2023 album Volcano, where the project continued to hone a formula that merges 70s funk, upbeat disco, and wistful soul into something unmistakably their own. Whereas Volcano leaned into lush instrumentation and dynamic collaborations, this new song continues to refine that balance, maintaining the warmth of their live-band aesthetic while embracing the precision of modern production. It’s a track that doesn’t reinvent Jungle’s sound, but instead polishes it to a near-perfect sheen.
Visually, the band once again delivers something striking. The music video, directed by Jungle’s Josh Lloyd-Watson and longtime collaborator Charlie Di Placido, takes viewers into a surreal industrial setting where mechanical repetition meets human expression. Office workers stamp out vinyl records with factory-like efficiency, mirroring the routine precision of modern labor. But then, as if breaking free from a rigid system, a group of dancers emerges—fluid, unrestrained, embodying the controlled chaos that defines Jungle’s music. Their movements are a perfect visual representation of the song’s tension: structured yet free, smooth yet bursting with kinetic energy. This juxtaposition of order and release has been a recurring theme in the band’s visual storytelling, consolidating their reputation for some of the most compelling dance-driven pieces in modern music.
Bomba Estéreo, Rawayana, ASTROPICAL - “Me Pasa (Piscis)”
Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana have joined forces to create ASTROPICAL, a new supergroup uniting their shared love for tropical rhythms. Their debut single, "Me Pasa (Piscis)", marks the beginning of this exciting collaboration, delivering a sound that fuses traditional Latin American influences with modern beats.
"Me Pasa" stands out as a bold statement of ASTROPICAL’s identity. The track features a hypnotic mix of millo flute loops, a nostalgic guitar riff that’s reminiscent of Bomba’s heyday, and an infectious Afrobeats groove that invites listeners to dance. With nods to elements such as champeta and arepas, the song highlights the deep Colombian-Venezuelan roots of the project, while embracing a fresh, global sound.
Initially planned as a one-time collaboration, the chemistry between the artists led to the birth of ASTROPICAL as an ongoing project. Li Saumet of Bomba Estéreo described working with Rawayana as a long-time dream, admiring their ability to reinvent themselves and create music that resonates deeply. The song was written in a single night and later refined at a Miami studio, where two additional tracks were also completed, increasing expectations for fans and critics alike.
Rather than just a side project, this track presents ASTROPICAL as a fusion of two of Latin America's hottest acts, promising more music that celebrates identity, rhythm, and reinvention.
Las Áñez - “La Calle De Las Sirenas”
Colombian twin duo Las Áñez continues to redefine Latin music with their latest work: a hauntingly intricate reimagining of “La Calle de las Sirenas”, created for Amazon Prime Video’s new series, La Liberación. Originally released by Mexican group Kabah in 1996 as a vibrant pop anthem, the song has been transformed into a darker, masterfully composed piece, in an original soundtrack co-produced alongside Instituto Mexicano del Sonido/Mexican Institute of Sound.
Far from the original’s fantasy playful aesthetic, Las Áñez’s version strips the song to its core, infusing it with eerie harmonies, detailed vocal textures, and minimal yet impactful instrumentation. The duo’s signature use of looping vocal layers and unconventional arrangements creates a brooding, cinematic atmosphere that perfectly complements the dystopian themes of the TV series.
This project marks another major achievement in Las Áñez’s rising trajectory across the world of TV and film. Just months ago, their song “Las Aguas de Macondo”—written for Netflix’s adaptation of Cien Años de Soledad—catapulted them as one of Colombia’s most innovative contemporary acts. With this new collaboration, the duo continues to build an impressive portfolio of high-profile audiovisual synchronizations, hinting at even bigger projects on the horizon.
Julia Mestre- “SOU FERA”
Julia Mestre's "SOU FERA" is a shimmering synthwave delight that fuses retro-futuristic aesthetics with the unmistakable warmth of Brazilian music. Her signature blend of vintage grooves and modern production creates a sonic experience that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. With a seamless balance of glossy, beachy vibes and deep-rooted MPB influences, "Sou Fera" solidifies Julia as one of Brazil's most exciting new artists.
With its pulsating synths and breezy melodies, “SOU FERA” channels a distinct '80s road trip aesthetic—glossy, sun-drenched, and endlessly infectious. The song feels like the soundtrack to a neon-lit highway ride, blending retro nostalgia with Julia's signature modern touch. The vibe is also reflected in the single’s artwork, which visually captures the song’s dreamy, cinematic essence, immersing listeners in a world of vintage escapism and sleek, futuristic pop.
Her impressive trajectory—spanning two solo albums, a collaborative project, and multiple EPs—has already earned her a Latin Grammy as part of acclaimed group Bala Desejo, as well as a solid reputation amongst alternative music circles. If "Sou Fera" is any indication, we can expect a dazzling full-length project in the coming year that further propells her to the forefront of contemporary Brazilian music.
Caribou, Solomun - “Climbing” (Solomun Remix)
Bosnian DJ/producer Solomun recently enhanced Caribou’s 2024 track “Climbing”, infusing his signature melodic and progressive touch on the piece, and recharging it with even greater emotional depth.
“Climbing” already stood out on Honey, Caribou’s latest album, as a track that perfectly captured Dan Snaith’s shift towards more direct, dancefloor-driven sounds. With its looping synth arpeggios and dynamic buildup, the song embodied the album’s approach—balancing intricate textures with broad appeal. Solomun takes this energy further, stretching the track into a steady-burning epic that retains Caribou’s original warmth while amplifying its club potential.
One of the most interesting aspects of the remix is that Caribou recorded new vocals specifically for it, emphasizing key moments with a fresh intensity. The track gradually climbs—true to its name—layering elements with a refined, restrained power that makes the release all the more satisfying.
With Solomun’s remix, “Climbing” reaches new heights, bridging Caribou’s evolving sound with the immersive, deep-house atmospheres that have made Solomun a festival favorite.
Clara Luna - “NOTEBOOK”
Clara Luna, the talented classical pianist and educator from Monterrey, has released another stunning single, “NOTEBOOK”. Known for her refined touch and expressive compositions, Clara continues to build her catalog of beautifully crafted piano ballads.
Following her appealing singles from 2024, “PIEL” and “CICATRIZ”, “NOTEBOOK” showcases a dynamic vocal melody enriched by elegant instrumental arrangements. The track reflects her authentic songwriting style, showcasing her versatility as both a performer and composer.
Beyond her music, Clara Luna—whose real name is Carla Hernández—is also the founder of Clara Luna Piano Academy. Through her Clarita Piano YouTube channel, she continues to share her passion for piano with a growing community of learners, combining her expertise in classical music with digital marketing, helping artists and academies boost their online presence and improve sales strategies.
With this latest release Clara continues to blend classical influences with contemporary songwriting, showcasing her distinctive approach to piano-driven music.
Honorable Mentions:
AEMBA - “Wabi Sabi Magic”
singarim, J.T. Brown - “Gently”
Angie Sánchez- “Al menos por hoy”
Comida Para Llevar, Oblivion’s Mighty Trash, Made in M, Tayko, Veztalone, Horus, Vera Delacruz- “Pararrayo”
Jend, Paccu, Taha Malki - “Out Of My Mind”
Surfistas del Sistema - “Curarnos”
Mónica Giraldo - “Traigo un canto guardado”
Fito Paez - “Cuando el Circo Llega al Pueblo”
Trueno, Feid - “CRUZ”
Polo & Pan, Metronomy - “Disco Nap”
From genre-bending pieces to remixed electronic gems and deeply personal ballads, these releases prove that innovation remains at the heart of today’s music sphere. As these artists carve out their sonic identities, we can only anticipate what the rest of 2025 will bring. Stay tuned for next month’s picks, and in the meantime, let these tunes set the soundtrack for the year ahead.
Thanks for reading this post all the way through. Feel free to reply to this email or comment below with your favorite tracks of January, and let’s keep the conversation going!