The year is half gone. Here are some great songs from 2019 so far by Rio Grande Valley musicians. Hip-hop, emo, country, indie, reggae, and various electronic genres, both English and Spanish, with a mix of male and female musicians. A great showcase for diversity in the RGV music scene.

10. Perfect Weather – Sunshine

With one of the stickiest choruses of the year and an unapologetic enthusiasm for a throwback emo sound, this song has high sing-along value.

9. Quiet Kids – My Moon

Featuring the sparkling timbres and classic cool of 80’s synthpop and the relaxed tempo and emotional haze of today’s bedroom indie producers, “My Moon” has all the elements fit nicely to form a grandiose piece of retrofuturism. Call it chillwave 2.0

8. Lauren Corzine – Ain’t That Lonely

An energetic burst of Americana strings and double-time percussion that sets the stage for a strong vocal performance and assertive female character.

7. Steven G - Chakaloza

Does the song and video contain negative stereotypes? Yes. Should we penalize the song for it? Hell no! The experience is straight-up catchy, fun, and humorous, which are three simple words we don’t get to use enough in the local scene. The harsh voice and spooky trap beat are contrasted well by the charisma and smooth flow.

6. The Objects - Taboo

The anxiously fast tempo and smokey atmosphere of this post-punk song are fitting for the unfortunate story behind it: a sexual assault at a nightclub.

5. Carmen Castillo – Agarra La Onda

Note: Released in 2018 but has since been re-released in a 2019 album with a music video.
A startling old-school speed rap (even stopping the music for a tense deep breath) over a psychedelic cumbia beat with a message of activism and tex-mex pride is hard to ignore in these political times in this political hot spot.

4. I Killed Techno! - Teenage Ghosts

An electronic minimal production that makes great use of deadpan vocals, macabre lyrics, and unique cyber-horror style.

3. Seeing June - Howl

Alternating reggae-fusion and alt-metal in the same vein as 311 and The Expendables, Seeing June adds more to the mix with immense female vocals and a tale about the morning after an emotionally restless night.

2. Pillowsnake - rainbow rhoads

Pillowsnake’s noisey style is always hard to pin down, but this song is actually more accessible than usual. Sounding like a mashup of a Gorillaz song and Mario Kart music (he even mentions rainbow road 64), this ride is one hell of an experience with its distorted Damon Albarn-esque vocals, upbeat bass line, and psychedelic synths fluttering throughout.

1. Geminii - Avísame

Using the sonic expansiveness of American electronica and the sleek sexiness of latin-pop, Geminii hits the ground running with their debut single. The lyrical core is a love-me-or-leave-me ultimatum, while the instrumental takes from a rich pool of textures and samples, and then builds a densely dark and dance-friendly track with a potential for widespread appeal. The professional vocal performance and polished production tie the elements into a grand presentation that is ready to conquer the RGV and beyond.