New Music Vault: March 2025
🔊From Folk to Funk, Ballads to Bangers. Soundtracking the Edges of March '25
March 2025 had range. This month’s Vault carries a wild contrast of sounds, from the raw vulnerability of Latin singer-songwriters, to sharp genre-bending satire, to organic lounge music. In a world increasingly mediated by algorithms and polished noise, these tracks remind us why human-made music still hits the hardest. Whether it's Argentina’s wildest duo reinventing themselves with every release, or Colombian folk-pop landing softly in Canadian snow, the entries below each carry a sense of purpose and pulse. Here are our hottest picks for the previous month:
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso - “IMPOSTOR”
"IMPOSTOR" opens PAPOTA, the new EP from CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, with a burst of urgency and self-awareness. Sonically, it leans further into the organic textures and live instrumentation the duo’s been flirting with since their Tiny Desk breakout—proof that their evolution might eventually catch up to their hype.
We've been critical before. The theatrics, the vanity, the stunts—they’ve walked a fine line between provocation and performance. But when they lock in? There’s no denying their impact. This one feels like a step toward reclaiming that edge.
Musically, the track leans into a much more live, organic sound—drums, bass, and arrangement that feels less processed and more raw than their first output. Gone are the glitchy post-Internet aesthetics of BAÑO MARÍA; in their place, something looser, warmer, and more band-oriented. It’s a subtle but notable shift.
There’s also a sense of narrative worldbuilding with PAPOTA as a whole. The EP comes wrapped in a short film project, co-directed by Martín Piroyansky and featuring Argentine comedic legend Martín Bossi as Gymbaland, a fake guru promising the duo a shortcut to eternal fame. It’s satire, sure, but it also reads like a pointed reflection on the industry machine that these guys are simultaneously part of and rebelling against.
And all of this is just the prelude to what’s next: a massive international tour that already saw them lighting up stages such as Lollapalooza’s Latin American circuit and Estéreo Picnic, plus upcoming slots at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals—Coachella, Fuji Rock, Roskilde, and several others. Despite our reservations with their formula feeling a bit stale, it’s undeniable that they’re moving on a global level—and it seems they’re aware of the need to constantly level up.
Surfistas del Sistema, Sofía Stainer - “Quédate conmigo”
On their latest single, Surfistas del Sistema dives into more conventional pop territory, without losing the dreamy synth textures that have become a signature of Fran Frione’s songwriting. This time, though, there’s a brighter emotional palette at play.
Joining forces with Mexican singer-songwriter Sofía Stainer, the track feels like a joyful, optimistic ballad about choosing connection, staying present, and leaning into love. Sofía’s soulful voice adds a warm, textured contrast to Fran’s more ethereal delivery, creating a lush yet intimate atmosphere.
Known for blending rock and pop with nostalgic '80s influences, Surfistas keeps evolving—and this collaboration is proof. The track leans into simplicity, allowing the emotion and melody to breathe.
Sofía, fresh off her Latinita album and solo tour across Latin America and Europe, brings her eclectic roots—ranging from funk, disco, and soul to bossa and electrónica—into this soft, stripped-down gem.
Hermanos Ilabaca, Bruno Borlone - “EscorpFunk” (Bruno Borlone Remix)
What happens when two of Chile’s most iconic musical minds team up with one of the most forward-thinking producers on the scene? You get "EscorpFunk": a bold, groove-heavy reimagination of the Ilabaca Brothers’ already-funky original, now with an extra layer of vintage flair and future-minded flow.
Bruno Borlone brings his signature touch—shiny vinyl textures, classic scratch work, and sharp, old-school DJ chops—to inject new life into the track. Known for genre-flipping remixes of everything from Abuelos de la Nada’s “Mil Horas” to J Balvin’s “Blanco”, Borlone doesn’t just remix. He reinvents.
Pablo Ilabaca, with a legacy spanning Chancho en Piedra, 31 Minutos, and his experimental alter-ego Jaco Sánchez, continues to surprise. Alongside brother Felipe, “EscorpFunk” is another chapter in a career defined by risk and reinvention. This time, it’s funky, it’s playful, and it hits hard. A must-listen for fans of Latin funk, scratch culture, and hybrid sonic experiments.
Isabela Acerenza, Diego - “DRAMA”
A standout track from Isabella Acerenza’s freshly dropped album DAGA x CARICIA, “DRAMA” is nothing short of a revelation. With vibrant dynamics, rhythmic fluidity, and a vocal melody that sticks with you long after the track ends, it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s most exciting releases.
The Argentine-Uruguayan singer, songwriter, and poet continues to carve her own space at the crossroads of Latin pop, rock, and canción popular. “DRAMA” is playful and explosive in equal parts—bold, extroverted, and emotionally sharp. It taps into Isabella’s signature lyricism: sensual, ironic, and deeply expressive.
If you're just discovering her work, this is the perfect entry point. A track that captures the essence of her artistry—genre-blending, soul-searching, and unmistakably original.
Mónica Giraldo - “Llegó la primavera”
Colombian singer-songwriter Mónica Giraldo’s “Llegó la Primavera” feels like a delicate bloom to close a luminous chapter. The song brings gentle closure to a cycle of releases that began late last year with “Saltar al Agua” and “Remolino”, and it’s now lovingly compiled into her new EP Sesiones de Sal Marina.
This body of work presents Mónica at her most minimalistic and introspective. Stripped down to the essentials—voice, guitar, and space—it’s an EP that breathes. One that feels like it was written near the ocean, with silence and stillness acting as co-writers. “Llegó la Primavera” leans into that atmosphere, embracing simplicity not as a limitation, but as a way of returning to what matters: melody, meaning, emotion.
The release also comes on the heels of Mónica’s landmark performance at Folk Alliance International (FAI) in Montreal back in March, where she was the sole Colombian artist selected to perform at the world’s most important folk music conference. Backed by the Colombian Embassy and Consulate in Canada, her participation was a stepping stone to fortify the cultural bridge between the two countries, further carving a space for Colombian folk-pop in international circuits.
“Llegó la Primavera” lands at the perfect time—not just as the last piece of an EP, but as a symbolic renewal. It marks the end of a cycle and the beginning of what’s next. A deep breath before the next chapter.
You May Like → Beyond the Surface: An Interview with Mónica Giraldo
Taylor & Sons - “Drifting Lights”
At a time when AI-generated music is flooding not only streaming platforms but also public spaces—cafés, malls, hotel lobbies—it’s refreshing to come across a project like Taylor & Sons. Based in Rome, this duo is going completely against the current, crafting lounge and ambient music with intention, warmth, and humanity.
Their latest single “Drifting Lights” leans into the lowkey, deep house side of their palette—slow-burning and immersive, like candlelight on water. It’s a track that doesn’t scream for attention; it glows. The kind of song you can play on loop without it ever demanding more than your presence.
While we were initially tempted to spotlight February’s “Harmony of Differences”—a funkier, groove-heavy pop gem that’s already a contender for our year-end Top 40—we’re keeping March releases front and center this time. And “Drifting Lights” earns its place with grace. It’s understated, but not forgettable. Ambient, but still rich in emotional detail.
In a world increasingly shaped by machine-made content (which, to be fair, serves a purpose in cost-conscious environments), Taylor & Sons are reminding us why human-crafted sound still matters. There's nuance here. There’s soul.
Honorable Mentions (+ late February Entries)
Semblanzas del Rio Guapi - “Va a Comenza’”
Mente Orgánica - “Luna”
Felipe Orjuela - “A los Golpes Como las Personas Naturales”
江本祐介 - “xxx”
Toi Or - “SANS R”
Rita Donte - “Zunzun Baba”
Cancamusa, Gepe - “Dopamina”
Adryanna Cauduro - “solo tú”
Dizlaw - “Jaata waqt”
Dromedarios Mágicos, Bilbao - “TODO ERA MEJOR CUANDO JUGABA EL CHUPETE SUAZO”
As we round out Q1 of 2025, one thing’s clear: the margins are where the magic is. This month’s Vault features artists who are pushing their own boundaries. Some stepping into global circuits, others turning inward. And that’s the beauty of it. Music doesn’t need to be massive to matter. Sometimes it’s a whisper, sometimes a riot. But if it moves you, it’s doing its job. We’ll be back next month with more favorites.
Until then, stay curious and keep listening!