Video: Fuck Her, or the Terrorists Win - "Circumstance"

Monterrey’s pop advancers Bul and Mr. Racoon release the first music video in the young existence of Fuck Her, or the Terrorists Win. While “Circumstance” is not the best song in Fuck Brooklyn (that would be "Heaventaken), it is the source of a very intriguing video by clip director Isho. The duo recreates the album’s artwork and fill up space with steam, and beautiful lofi greens and oranges. When passing through a carwash, FHOTTW wash out their fears in the best of circular motifs.

MP3: El Guincho - "Bombay"

Here is another song many of you probably already have, but it's so good we can’t let it pass by. El Guincho got many of us confused as he overlaid the promotion of his stellar Piratas de Sudamerica EP with a totally brand new single, “Bombay”, first cut from his anticipated sophomore LP Pop Negro. This has to be one of Pablo’s most accessible songs to date, or at least very close to that amazing collaboration with Julieta Venegas in “Mientes.” In sound and its structure, “Bombay” is very close to that sun-splash pop of fellow Spanish band Delorean. The production work here is phenomenal as the tropical song blends into an R&B tune exported from some deserted island. While it’s no secret he has embraced Latin America through his music since his beginnings, this latest stuff is ready for Latin Music archive.

♫♫♫ "Bombay"

Video: Papa Topo - "Lo Que Me Gusta del Verano"

While some of us were taking a break, Papa Topo released their second video for their best and most defining song, “Lo que me gusta del verano.” This peculiar boy-meets-girl chant really was one of 2010’s summer songs. As we mentioned before, we got tired of “Oso Panda” within a few months, but this one, it’s the real deal. Director Lluis Prieto scopes the song’s bipolar take on those sunny days that bring joy, sweat and that “ice-cream flavor quandary.” The video is a total animated blast, from the coloring to the wardrobe, and the commercial-ready choreography towards the end. If you feel too old watching this, or feel there's too much sugar in it, at least appreciate Adria & Paulita's exuberance. Papa Topo will be releasing an extended 7-track album on Elefant Records later on this year.

New Single: Calle 13 feat. The Mars Volta - "Calma Pueblo"

No one gets more empowered by lyrics than Rene Perez (Residente), one of our most creative ‘leadmen’ in music, and on the shortlist for best rapper in the world. The Puerto Rican duo is back promoting “Calma Pueblo”, the first single from their forthcoming October release, the fourth LP in their shining career. The song features The Mars Volta and, while the premise seems interesting, the song is underwhelming to say the least. I’m trying to figure out if this is as bad as “No Hay Nadie Como Tu” (feat. Café Tacvba), but “Calma Pueblo” is disappointing and very boring. Rene seems uninspired lately, at least judging from his awkward and almost shameful (from his side) collaborations with Dante Spineta, Andres Calamaro and the late Mercedes Sosa.

Calle 13 is probably one of the few acts that could take on the responsibility of speaking for the people, but to do it in such a bland manner is almost offensive to the band’s ideals on superficiality, “lo que sientes tu lo siento yo, porque yo soy como tu.” The lyrics don’t do much and the music is barely there to serve a purpose instead of detonating corporative chains. “Calma Pueblo” is especially irritating because we’ve seen Calle 13 taking on that high-profile character in marvelous songs such as “Querido FBI” or “La Crema.” Here is hoping the group doesn’t lose its edge, “Calma Pueblo” is minor Calle 13, or better worst, Calle 13 trying to hard to be major. Is this ruining our anticipation of the actual album? Not really. After all, they are a step close to being favorite band.

Video: Banda de Turistas - "La Hora del Segundo"

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“La Hora del Segundo” is the new video coming out of Argentina’s top new act, Banda de Turistas, from their sophomore album El Retorno (it doesn't seem to appear on Nacional's Magical Radiophonic Heart). It follows the band’s two previous singles “Lo Comandas” and “El Rogadero” which also featured awesome colorful videos with enough youth, movement and shapes to call them epic. Director Roberto Llauro (who also directed “Todo mio el Otono”) doesn’t seem to mind the hazel effects or the spares of digitalism to put into stage the song’s spirit to live life at the moment.